31, 1921, triggered Senate President Baxter’s elevation to the governorship. This unforeseen development dramatically changed the political fortunes of Baxter's park proposal. William F. Dawson's illustrated lecture, scheduled by Baxter for February 2, 1921, was canceled, and in its stead legislators were filing past Parkhurst’s coffin laid out in the Capitol’s rotunda. Baxter, the newly inaugurated governor, was no longer able to direct legislative deliberations on his bill. With failed legislation, Baxter started to use his personal wealth to purchase land and pieced together the park by himself. His first action was a purchase from the Great Northern Paper Company in 1930. He officially donated that parcel to the State of Maine in 1931 with a condition that the park be kept as wild in perpetuity. Baxter continued more purchases in his 32-year mission. He made the last purchase in 1962 and accumulated of wilderness. Since Gov. Baxter's death in 1969, the park has been increased to a total of , including the 2006 addition of a parcel of and spectacular Katahdin Lake. Park Headquarters is located over from the actual park in the small town of Millinocket. There are no stores or gas stations inside the park. Access and use are strictly regulated in accordance with Gov. Baxter's expressed desire to keep the park "forever wild." Baxter wrote of the area: "Man is born to die, his work short lived; buildings crumble, monuments decay, wealth vanishes, but Katahdin, in all its glory, shall forever remain the mountain of the people of Maine. Throughout the ages it will stand as an inspiration to the men and women of the state." In 1979, volunteers in the Maine Youth Conservation Corps created the mural on Pockwockamus Rock, located about 2.5 miles from the south gate (). John W. Hakola (1928–1995), a history professor at the University of Maine, wrote a history of Baxter State Park (published in 1981). Features Inside the park boundary there is no electricity, running water, or paved roads. In keeping with the "Forever Wild" philosophy expressed by Gov. Baxter, the park prohibits the use of audio or visual devices in any way that impairs the enjoyment of the park by others or that may disturb or harass wildlife. Winter hiking and camping regulations have been recently revised to provide more freedom for park visitors, coupled with a clear understanding that park visitors must take responsibility for their safety