TULARE COUNTY
ASH PEAK (MOUNTAIN)
Sequoia National Park
16S-29E
16S-29E
August 18, 1928: "A thunder and lightning shower passed over Giant Forest Wednesday morning, shortly after midnight, traveling toward Grant Park, leaving in its wake three small fires near Little Baldy.
The lookout at Ash Mountain reported the fires, but stated that they were high on the mountain, so there is little danger of their spreading. Five men were sent out to look over the ground and see how serious it is." (Modesto Bee and News-Herald)
The lookout at Ash Mountain reported the fires, but stated that they were high on the mountain, so there is little danger of their spreading. Five men were sent out to look over the ground and see how serious it is." (Modesto Bee and News-Herald)
October 14, 1928: "Five inches of snow had fallen at Quinns, on the south fork of the Kaweah River, according to telephone advices received to-day by the forest ranger at Ash Mountain, lookout station." (Modesto Bee and News-Herald
August 18, 1929: "The North Fork Road, which has been closed since 1928, is now open to traffic since the bridge over the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River has been replaced. Large numbers of visitors are now making the trip into the Colony Mill region, one of the most scenic areas of the park. In addition to the natural attractions, visitors find the trip to the fire lookout station on Ash Peak of particular interest as well as educational. The lookout not only gives them a hearty welcome, but shows them how Uncle Sam guards his own area from fire and assists the counties and states in detecting fires many miles away." (Modesto News-Herald)
August 18, 1929: "Closed since 1928, the North Fork Road is now open since the bridge over the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River has been replaced, reports the touring department of the National Automobile Club. Many visitors are making the trip into the Colony Mill region, one of the most scenic areas of the park, and to the Fire Lookout Station on Ash Peak, another interesting and educational trip." (Modesto Bee and News-Herald)
August 8, 1930: "J. G. Wade, of the Ash Peak fire lookout tower has as his guest this week Marshall Gebert of Bakersfield, son of the manager of Montgomery Ward store in that city where Mr. Wade worked last winter." (Visalia Times-Delta)
September 13, 1930: "J. G. Wade, who has had charge of the fire lookout tower on the top of Ash Peak for three seasons, left recently for Bakersfield, where he will again work in the radio department of the Montgomery Ward store.
Homer Cooper, a brother-in-law of Wade, is in charge at the tower until the close of the season of fire hazards in the mountains." (Visalia Times-Delta)
May 15, 1931: "C. C. Baum of Eureka, who was to be in charge of the Ash Peak lookout tower, is in Giant Forest as summer ranger and Homer Cooper will be at Ash Peak after May 15. Homer assisted J. G. Wade for two seasons at the tower so is well acquainted with the work there." (Visalia Times-Delta)
May 19, 1931: "Gilbert Wade of Fresno brought Homer Cooper to Giant Forest Sunday, and Homer went to his summer station at the look-out tower on Ash Peak Monday." (Visalia Times-Delta)
July 14, 1931: "Homer Cooper, fire look-out on Ash Peak had two days off this week and went to his home in Fresno." (Visalia Times-Delta)
October 1, 1931: "Mrs. J. G. Wade of Fresno brought some supplies up for her brother, Homer Cooper, at the Ash Peak look-out tower last week, remaining a few days with him. Cooper will have to stay on duty until the first heavy rains on account of the fire hazard. Water has to be carried by pack animals from Giant Forest once in ten days for him. This makes a round trip of Twenty-six miles for the animals, but the water is hauled to the end of trail by truck and then has to be packed two miles to the tower." (Visalia Times-Delta)
November 28, 1932: "Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Wade of San Francisco and their son, Bruce, came up Wednesday to take Homer Cooper, Mrs. Wade's brother, out when he finished his work of lookout Friday at the Ash Peak tower. Wade was in charge of the tower from its completion in 1929 and 1930. Homer assisted him and has had charge since." (Visalia Times-Delta)
May 13, 1933: "Mr. and Mrs. George Megley will be moving here before long, as Magley will be stationed at Ash Peak lookout station in Sequoia National Park this season." (Visalia Times-Delta)
May 31, 1933: "Mr. and Mrs. George Magley have gone to Ash Peak where Magley will be fire lookout this season." (Visalia Times-Delta)
September 28, 1933: "Mrs. George Magley spent a week with Mrs. John R. White at Ash Mountain, Sequoia National Park, has returned to Ash Peak Lookout, where Magley is stationed." (The Fresno Bee The Republican)
April 6, 1934: "A truck trail will be built to Little Baldy where a new lookout tower will be erected during the summer. George Magley, now in charge of the Ash Peak tower will probably be transferred to the new one." (Visalia Times-News)
April 18, 1934: "Mr. and Mrs. George Magley have moved from Marble Fork where they have been acting as care takers for the buildings of the CCC camp, to Colony Mill to stay until sent to the Ash Peak lookout tower when the fire seasons opens." (Visalia Times-Delta)
April 15, 1938: "Paul Ortlipp of Visalia is working on trails in the park until the Ash Peak lookout tower is put into use, when he will have charge of it for the fire season. He was at the Little Baldy lookout last summer." (Visalia Times-Delta)
April 25, 1938: "The fire lookout station on Ash Peak will again be used this season, instead of the newer one at Little Baldy.
After much consideration, observations and records of fires, it was determined that the former place gives better results for lower foothill brush and grass fires than the higher point. There is a haze over the valley in fire season, especially after a few fires, and observations are more difficult than from the lower station.
Another important factor for returning to the old tower is that a comfortable cabin for the lookout, and a steel tower for observation makes Ash Peak more comfortable for the man who puts in six months of the year looking for fires." (Visalia Times-Delta)
June 3, 1939: "Paul Ortlipp of Three Rivers moved to the Ash Peak lookout station Thursday for the fire season." (Visalia Times-Delta)
August 5, 1941: "Paul Ortlipp, fire lookout at Ash Peak, returned Friday after a five day leave, visiting relatives at Visalia. John Grunnigan of North Fork relieved him during his absence." (Visalia Times-Delta)
May 17, 1944: "Charles Miller was to take his post at the Ash Peak lookout today." (Visalia Times-Delta)