TUOLUMNE COUNTY

AMERICAN CAMP

California Department of Forestry

September 22, 1929:  "the platform on a large tree at American Camp, now in use as the lookout station, will be replaced during the winter months by a modern 50 foot steel tower with a glass enclosure, according to word given out by Supervisor J.R. Hall of the local forest service this week.  The material will be furnished by the state forest service and will be installed by the local forest service.  Each will pay half the salary of the person to be employed as lookout during the dry season."  (Oakland Tribune)

February 10, 1930:   "Historical names will be given to three fire lookout stations in Amador, Tuolumne and Santa Clara counties, the stations to be completed for use during this year's fire season, it was announced today by State Forester M.B. Pratt.
      One is American Camp station in Tuolumne county."   (The Hanford Sentinel)

February 11, 1930:  "The station to be completed for use during this year's fire season, it was announced today by State Forester M.B. Pratt."  (San Mateo Times)

February 12, 1930:   "Three fire lookout stations now being by the state division of forestry, in cooperation with federal and counties agencies, in Amador, Tuolumne and Santa Clara counties, have names of historical interest, it was pointed out by State Forester M.B. Pratt.
      American Camp lookout in Tuolumne county was given its name due to the prevalence of Americans in a mining camp near there."   (Santa Cruz Evening News)

February 16, 1930:  "The first lookout tower to be erected in Tuolumne County by the state forestry department is being constructed this week at American Camp Peak by a crew of five state forest rangers, under the supervision of Inspector A.E. Frost of Sacramento.  This tower, which will be a modern 60-foot lookout station, is on one of the highest peaks in the county, and will overlook the entire county and portions of Calaveras county."  (Oakland Tribune)

March 13, 1930:   "Two new lookout towers costing $1800 each for use during the forest fire season this year, will be erected in the Sierra Nevada mountains, State Forester M.B. Pratt, announced today.
      One of the stations will be at American Camp, east of Sonora."   (The Hanford Sentinel)

March 28, 1932:  "The body of J.H. Kling, 53, prospector and fire lookout, crushed by a cave-in in a mine tunnel near Rose Creek, fifteen miles north of here, was found yesterday by Robert Cuney, another prospector.
     The slide apparently had occurred March 16, as a calender in Kling's cabin was last marked for March 15.  Kling served three years as American Camp lookout for the Stanislaus National Forest Service and mined during the winter."  (Modesto News-Herald)