Cornelius L. Harrington
(1892-1966)
Inducted October 10, 1992
Plaque Engraving:
Professional forester, administrator and leader in Wisconsin forestry, C.L. Harrington dedicated 44 years of distinguished service to forestry in Wisconsin. He began his career as a forest ranger for the Wisconsin Conservation Department in 1914 at Trout Lake, Wisconsin. Later he served as Chief State Forester and was instrumental in establishing the Flambeau River, Kettle Moraine and Black River State Forests. He is credited with the development of early public forestry policy dealing with forest recreation, forest protection and forest management that provided the foundation for today’s public forestry policy. His legacy lies in the state forests and parks of Wisconsin. In 1966 the legislature named Harrington Beach State Park in his honor following his death.
More about Cornelius L. Harrington:
Mr. Harrington was employed as a student worker at Trout Lake in 1910. Upon graduation from the University of Michigan he was appointed to a forest ranger position in 1914, and was stationed at Trout Lake. He continued to be employed with the Conservation Department until he retired in 1958, with 44 years of service.
Harrington was appointed as forestry member of the three man Conservation Commission in 1919. When the Commission was abolished in 1923, he was appointed Superintendent of Forests and Parks. During the period from 1919 to 1930, he was in charge of all forestry activities of the Conservation Department, and in 1923, he established six forest protection districts. In 1927, the districts were expanded to cover 13 1/2 million acres.
In 1930, a state fire warden was appointed. Mr. Harrington continued to be in charge of state forests, state nurseries and state parks. During the period from 1919 to 1930 there was much forestry legislation sponsored by the Conservation Commission. Mr. Harrington appeared before legislative committees and at hearings to explain the need for forestry legislation or appropriations during his entire career. The legislature named a state park in his honor following his death in 1966, which is the Harrington Beach State Park.
