Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Records, 1962-2017
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
- Title
- Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Records
- Dates
- 1962-2017 (bulk)1962-20171962-2017
- Quantity
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20 linear feet (20 boxes)
2 oversize folders - Collection Number
- MC 439
- Summary
- The Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Records (1962-2017) consist of annual reports, correspondence, campground directories, subject files (including 50th Anniversary events, long-range planning, company owned KOAs, franchisees), newsletters, corporate history writings, posters, photographs, and promotional objects.
- Repository
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Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
The roots of the Kampgrounds of America can be found along the banks of the Yellowstone River, near Billings, Montana. In 1962 local businessmen Dave Drum, John Wallace and partners set up a small campground on Drum’s property from which they hoped to take advantage of the thousands of families traveling to Seattle for the World’s Fair--many driving along the new I 90 corridor through Montana. The first campground offered a shower, store, laundry, a camp site, picnic table and fire pit to those willing to pay the $1.75 fee.
Following on the success of that first summer, Wallace created and distributed an extensive survey to those who stayed at the campground, asking about their experience and how it could be improved. The responses became the base for a business plan, developed in 1963 by Drum, Wallace and Bob Boorman, that included franchises and expansion across the country.
The first franchise opened in Cody, Wyoming in 1964, by 1972 they were 600 KOA campgrounds across the country, and in Canada and Mexico. In 1969 KOA went public, offering 300,000 shares of stock by 1972.
The late 1970s proved challenging because of OPEC oil embargos, but unlike many of their competitors, KOA survived. By 1982 the franchised campgrounds hit their highest point to date at 900, with locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe and Japan. Today, the company holds 517 campgrounds in the United States and Canada.
Dave Drum hired Darrell Booth as general manager of KOA in 1966. Booth oversaw the company in a time of tremendous growth, and the standardization of facilities and amenities offered under the KOA brand. This earned the company a reputation for consistent quality across all the franchises.
In 1979 Art Peterson took the helm of KOA, replacing an ailing Booth. Although his tenure was marked by the lingering effects of the oil crisis, Peterson’s leadership helped the company through difficult times and ultimately to build new amenities and services including the KOA cabins. The cabins became popular as the campers moved away from tent camping toward RVs and destination campsites. Peterson retired in 2000.
Jim Rogers was hired in late 1999 as KOA CEO. During his tenure a focus on the use of technology to reach and serve the public became a focus. In 2010 Pat Hittmeier took over as CEO and continued the focus on improving services through their website and online presence. The current CEO is Toby O’Rourke, the first woman to hold that position.
In 1979 Oscar Tang, New York financier, purchased the company and remains its owner to date. As of 2019 KOA is the world’s largest system of privately held campgrounds. The company has retained its strong Montana roots and is still headquartered in Billings.
Content Description
Kampgrounds of America records (1962-2017) consist of annual reports, correspondence, campground directories, subject/project files (including 50th Anniversary events, long-range planning, company owned KOAs, franchisees), newsletters, corporate history writings, posters, photographs, and promotional objects.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
(Item description and date). Name of Collection. Collection Number. (box and folder number). Montana Historical Society Research Center. Archives. Helena, Montana.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
The arrangement for the collection is by series (correspondence, employment records, financial, legal documents, publications, miscellaneous, and journals), but is not necessarily chronological, but based on the original order. Photographs and artifacts were transferred to those programs respectively.
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection
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Board of Director Files
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Description: Board of Directors and Executive meeting files (include agendas, budgets, correspondence, financial information and reportsDates: 1985-1994Container: Box 1-2
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Description: Board of Directors and Executive meeting files (include agendas, budgets, correspondence, financial information and reportsDates: 1995-1997Container: Box 3 / 1-2
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Correspondence
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Description: Board CorrespondenceDates: 1966-1972Container: Box 3 / 3-5
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Description: Board Correspondence (includes correspondence between board members including Davide Drum, John Wallace, Robert Boorman, Darrell Booth, Fred Marble, Don Hammond and Fred Friswold)Dates: 1973-1980Container: Box 4 / 1-6
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Description: Board Correspondence - John Wallace (correspondence between John Wallace and board members including Davide Drum, Robert Boorman, Darrell Booth, Fred Marble, Don Hammond and Fred Friswold)Dates: 1965-1968Container: Box 4 / 7
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Description: Board Correspondence - John Wallace (correspondence between John Wallace and board members including Davide Drum, Robert Boorman, Darrell Booth, Fred Marble, Don Hammond and Fred Friswold)Dates: 1969-1978Container: Box 5 / 1-3
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Description: Board Correspondence - Jim Rogers (copies of email correspondence re history of KOA)Dates: 2000-2009Container: Box 5 / 4
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Financial records
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Description: Reports (scattered)Dates: 1969-1981Container: Box 5 / 5
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Description: Reports (scattered)Dates: 1969-2004Container: Box 6 / 1-7
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Legal records
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Description: Articles of Incorporation, Riverside Estates Incorporation, merger, franchises, Granny's Family Fun purchaseDates: ca 1960s-1980sContainer: Box 7 / 1-5
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Organizational records
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Description: Franchisee listings, minutesDates: 1964-1980sContainer: Box 8
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Publications
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Description: DirectoriesDates: 1964-1999Container: Box 9
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Description: DirectoriesDates: 1964-2016Container: Box 10-12
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Description: KOA TimesDates: 1988-2000Container: Box 13-15
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Description: KOA InsiteDates: 2001-2007Container: Box 16 / 1-7
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Description: KOA Owners NewsDates: 1979-2006Container: Box 16 / 8-11
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Description: KOA Owners NewsDates: 1979-2006Container: Box 17 / 1-2
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Description: KOA Smoke CirclesDates: 1979-2006Container: Box 17 / 3-5
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Description: KOA Kampground KommunicatorDates: 1973-1979Container: Box 17 / 6-7
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Reports
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Description: Annual reportsDates: 1964-2015Container: Box 18
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Description: Annual reportsDates: 1964-2015Container: Box 19 / 1
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Speeches / presentations
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Description: History of camping, KOA historyDates: ca 1960s-1980sContainer: Box 19 / 2
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Subject Files
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Description: Annual ConventionsDates: ca 1960s-1970sContainer: Box 19 / 3-6
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Description: Annual ConventionsDates: 1980s-2012Container: Box 20-26
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Description: Board of Directors, campground plans, A-frame design, cabin plansDates: ca 1970sContainer: Box 27
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Description: Corporate history files (compiled by Jim Graff)Dates: 1962-2012Container: Box 28-30
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Description: Corporate history files (compiled by Jim Graff)Dates: 1962-2012Container: Box 31 / 1-2
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Description: Corporate directories, "firsts" (compiled by Jim Graff)Dates: 1962-2012Container: Box 31 / 3-4
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Description: Founders (compiled by Jim Graff)Dates: 1962-2012Container: Box 32-33
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Description: Founders (compiled by Jim Graff)Dates: 1962-2012Container: Box 34 / 1-4
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Description: Franchisees (compiled by Jim Graff)Dates: 1962-2006Container: Box 34 / 5
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Description: International sites including Mexico, Canada, Australia, Europe and Japan (compiled by Jim Graff)Dates: 1962-2000sContainer: Box 34 / 6-8
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Description: Kamper Klub, Logo, Officers and managers (compiled by Jim Graff)Dates: 1962-1980sContainer: Box 35
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Description: Operations: campground development, lodge art, Owner's Association, Supply catalogs, surveys, Timeline, and "Undercover Boss"Dates: 1962-1980sContainer: Box 35-37
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Description: KOA UniversityDates: ca 1970s-1980sContainer: Box 38
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Description: KOA UniversityDates: ca 1970s-1980sContainer: Box 39 / 1
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Description: Value CardDates: 1977-1989Container: Box 39 / 2
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Writings
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Description: History of KOADates: 1960s-2015Container: Box 39 / 3-4
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Clippings
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Description: History of KOADates: 1960s-2015Container: Box 39 / 5-6
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Camping
- Montana
- Outdoor recreation
- Tourism
Personal Names
- Booth, Darrell (creator)
- Drum, David (creator)
- Wallace, John (creator)
Corporate Names
- Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
Geographical Names
- Billings, Mont.
- Montana
