Samuel H. Boardman (1874-1953) was born in Massachusetts. He attended public schools and Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wincosin. Subsequently he worked as an engineer for the Denver Union Water Works, Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, Colorado Fuel and Iron Company and Great Southern Railroad. In 1903 he moved to Oregon, where he worked as an engineer for Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railroad and Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. Then in 1919 he went to work for the State Highway Department but his interest in trees continued. In his new position he pushed for planting along the highway rights-of-way throughout the arid reaches of eastern Oregon.
In 1929, Boardman's interest in trees and parks resulted in him being selected by the Highway Department for new post of parks engineer.Boardman continued as parks superintendent until 1950, when he reached mandatory retirement age. In 1927, at the start his career, Oregon had 4,070 acres in 46 small state parks. When he retired 23 years later, the number of parks had increased to 181 and the acreage to 57,195. The substantial increase was due largely to his personal zeal and commitment. At the time of his retirement , the Highway Commission named in his honour the Samuel H. Boardman State Park, the 14 mile strip of ocean frontage in Curry County south of Pistol River. This is one of the most dramatic and picturesque state parks on the Oregon coast. It contains 1,650 acres of remarkable scenic and inspirational beauty.