SAN DIEGO COUNTY

CUYAMACA PEAK

Cleveland National Forest
​714S-R4E-18
November 25, 1921:   "Plans are now underway to construct a platform around the greater part of Cuyamuca Lookout building, so that the Lookoutman can step out of his front door and heliograph in all directions without unnecessary loss of time in descending to the ground between heliograph and phone messages.  He will also be able to helio from the platform to points that cannot be seen from the ground.  The platform will also greatly facilitate placing and removing the lookout window shutters.  (Snider)" (California District News Letter)

February, 10, 1922:  "Our plans for a platform around Cuyamaca Lookout building met an awful blow in the District Office, where they decided they could not spend the money for the project.  However, the plan did not die for we are going after them again some day.  A few dollars spent there will not 'bust' Uncle Sam and somebody's head is liable to get busted some day 'acrobating' around that lookout without a platform.  --Snider--"  (California District News Letter)

April 7, 1922:  "The District Forester made us smile once more by granting that hundred-dollar allotment for the Cuyamaca Lookout platform and we wish to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the power that put it across.  Speaking for our faithful Lookoutman C. P. Green:  'I am exceedingly gratified to learn the good news.'  Billy Martin knows just how that platform goes up and will have it there as soon as snow leaves the top in the spring."  (California District News Letter)

September 29, 1922:  "Cuyama Peak Lookout - Tuesday, September 5, there was a full moon over the peak and I told Wilt at Descanso over the phone to flash a light so I could get in adjustment.  He didn't have a flashlight so he used his motorcycle light and I flashed a couple of words to him.  He said he could see me fine, so the heliograph will come in handy on a moonlight night.  If you don't believe me, ask Wilt."  (California District News Letter)

July 13, 1923:  "Three youngsters of ages around 12 to 15 years worked industriously recently applying a new coat of paint to parts of the lookout station on Cuyamaca Peak, on the Cleveland.  They did not do it willingly, either, and thereby hangs a tale.  The job of painting was in expiation of an offense committed by these same youngsters several months previous in writing and carving names and initials all over the white paint of the station wherever they were able to reach.
     When the defacing was discovered, copies were made of the names and a report sent to Supervisor Boulden.  He notified the boys and gave them their choice of restoring the station to its former appearance or going before the U.S. commissioner to answer charges of violating the forestry regulations.  The boys elected to do the restoring.
      Finally a twelve-year-old reported to Boulden that the job was completed, and the bunch of five original offenders, of whom he was the spokesman, had learned a lessen they would not forget in a hurry.  Three of the five did the work.  Boulden smiled and said, 'I hope so.  The punishment was severe, but I believe in making it fit the crime."  (San Diego Union)  (California District News Letter)

August 8, 1939:  "Horace P. Houf, second lieutenant of the marine corps reserve, was killed almost instantly Monday when his single-seater fighting plane plunged in flames onto a hillside.
     Houf's plane set fire to a brush patch and was located by a forest lookout on Cuyamaca peak.  The are is isolated, 14 miles southeast  of here, and reports of the crash were held up pending an investigation.
     Marine headquarters said the pilot was on a routine flight.  He entered the corps October 10, 1927.
     A farmer said he saw the plane fall after hearing its engine sputter.  Cause of the flames was not determined immediately." (The Salt Lake Tribune)

October 22, 1939:  "C.A. Brown, forest fire lookout on Cuyamaca peak, was imprisoned in his station by wind.  His door opens outward and for hours he was unable to open it against a 74-mile-an-hour gale."  (Hutchinson News - Kansas)

March 5, 1944:  "A rescue party of 12 members of the San Diego unit of the national ski patrol, which left early today for Cuyamaca peak to haul fuel and food for two federal forestry lookouts, reached the snowbound pair tonight.
     The relief party radioed to the Cleveland national forest office that they reached the two lookouts, Roy Pogue and Art Towne, after a rigorous seven-hour trip.  The message stated that the marooned pair still had ample food and fuel on hand.
      A previous attempt to reach the two lookouts several days ago ended in failure when the relief party bogged down a mile from the lookout tower in seven feet of snow.  Cuyamaca peak is 50 miles northeast of San Diego."  (The San Bernardino County Sun)
An interesting e-mail from Richard A. Fowell with links RE: Cuyamaca  Peak and Heliographs:

       This 1921 photo is of the US Forest Service Lookout on Cuyamaca Peak in San Diego County using a heliograph to
signal to Billy Ryan at Descanso Junction on old Highway 80. The US Forest Service made heavy use of heliographs
from 1908 into the 1930s and 1940s.[1]
http://descansolibraryfriends.org/russell_photos/firetower.jpg
       This 9/24/1918 photo is of the Cuyamaca lookout tower itself:
http://descansolibraryfriends.org/russell_photos/unk.jpg
       Both photos were taken by Lewis S. Russell, and are linked and discussed here:
http://descansolibraryfriends.org/russ_photos.php

       I've been researching the use of heliographs by the US Forest Service.
       The heliograph the forester is using is a 1905 model heliograph,
the larger of the two types commonly used by the US Forest Service[1].
       US Marines show the drill for the Model 1905 heliograph in this public domain video clip from 1915:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdv11gZAUI8
       [1]Gallery of photographs of US Forest Service heliographs:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/signalmirror/sets/72157636572226034/
       Another photo of a USFS ranger using a heliograph:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Heliographs#/media/File:Jones_with_heliograph_1916_by_G_Allen_Burrows.jpg