Maine Memory Network

Non-Indians, however, wanted to climb Katahdin. The trek to the top became something of a rite of passage for Mainers and other climbing enthusiasts.

Although Percival Baxter gave the Katahdin area to the state in 1931, the tote roads into the park remained unimproved and rather rough for travel by automobile or horse and wagon for many years.

That did not deter visitors, though. In 1932, about 1,200 hikers made it to the top of the Greatest Mountain.