CHINA PEAK
Siskiyou County - Klamath National Forest
46N-12W-18
46N-12W-18
September 25, 1928: "Two forest rangers on China mountain lookout in the Siskiyous, with no communication with the outside world but a pack in trail, get morning papers as regularly as the city subscriber. Pilots on the Pacific Air Transport line drop newspapers and magazines to the ranger station 10,000 feet above sea level." (Morning Oregonian)
December 1928: "The following news item appeared in the November issue of the American Forests and Forest Life:
"AIRMEN DROP NEWS TO LOOKOUT" The observer on the China Mountain Lookout, on the Klamath National Forest, in California, who has no communication with the outside world but a pack trail, gets his morning news as regularly as a city subscriber, because pilots of the Seattle-Los Angeles air mail route daily drop papers and magazines to the lookout station. The lookout is in one of the most rugged portions of the Siskiyou Mountains." (Six Twenty-Six)
August 16, 1929: "In the Sept. 28, 1928 issue of the NEWS LETTER we observed that the observer on the China Creek Lookout received his daily mail via Seattle - Los Angeles Mail plane. This was News to us as we were not aware of there being a China Creek lookout in the Happy Camp District.
However, we have a China Creek Fireman and it appears that he was not satisfied with only the daily mail to help him pass the time away so before assuming duties at his station this spring, he annexed a charming school 'marm' as his wedded wife, to take to his lonely post.
Mrs. Waddell is not the only new addition to the Happy Camp force this season. On August 6, Forest Fireman Joe Aubrey, reports the tenth visit of the stork at his home. A bouncing girl this time. Congratulations, Joe, and success to the future Tangeress. --Morgan,Klamath" (California District News Letter)
1939: The Lookout was completed by the Seiad CCC Camp F176, Company 1910. (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol. IV, 1931-1940)
September 4, 1960: "Mrs. George Souza has left for Seiad Valley where she will serve as look-out for the remainder of the fire season at China Peak up Grider Creek." (Medford Mail Tribune)
June 18, 1962: "Mrs. George Souza left last week for her summer job as forest service lookout on China peak, out of Seiad valley, she attended a two-day class of instruction given at Oak Knoll station on the Klamath river by forest service personnel. This will be Mrs. Souza'a third summer at China peak." (Medford Mail Tribune)
June 2, 1963: "Due to the increase in the fire hazard condition in the Klamath National forest, Mrs. George Souza was among those sent Thursday to man lookout stations. Mrs. Souza has spent several summers on the China Peak lookout out of Seiad valley, along the Klamath river." (Medford Mail Tribune)
July 25, 1963: "Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Breceda and Mr. and Mrs. George McCann enjoyed a weekend camping trip in the Hamburg area on the Klamath river. On Sunday the group called on Mrs. George Souza at her post on the China Peak Forest service look-out." (Medford Mail Tribune)
1972: The structure was purchased at auction and removed. Parts were recycled into a nearby cabin.
DESIGNATION - CHINA PEAK LOOKOUT HOUSE
PID - MX1177
STATE/COUNTY- CA/SISKIYOU
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - SLATER BUTTE (1980)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1952 (WRH)
THE STATION IS LOCATED ABOUT 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF HAPPY CAMP
1-1/2 MILES EAST OF THE KLAMATH RIVER, ON THE HIGHEST POINT
OF WHAT IS LOCALLY KNOWN AS CHINA PEAK.
THE LOOKOUT IS A STANDARD 14 FOOT SQUARE, TWO STORY BUILDING
ABOUT 25 FEET HIGH. THE CENTER OF THE BUILDING WAS INTERSECTED.
IT IS 20.151 FEET, 6.142 METERS SOUTH OF STATION CHINA PK.