SISKIYOU COUNTY
LAKE MOUNTAIN
Klamath National Forest
45N-11W-17
45N-11W-17
July 13, 1911: "The look-out station on Lake mountain reported a fire last Monday on Beaver creek back of the Quigley place and about twenty miles from the station. The ranger was notified of its existence by telephone. These look-out stations are doing a good service." (Siskiyou Daily News)
August 31, 1911: "Assistant Ranger Johnston and James Clyman, the lookout man stationed on Lake mountain above Hamburg, have started work on a stone building which is to be built on the extreme top of the mountain. Twelve hundred pounds of cement have been packed up to be used in connection with the mountain rock. The structure which will be about 12 x 14 feet is to be permanent. W telephone line already extends to the top of the mountain. This station has proved of the greatest value in locating fires. A wonderful view of the Klamath river canyon can be seen from here, extending from Hornbrook to Independence creek, a view which would be worth anyone's time to see." (Siskiyou Daily News)
June 27, 1912: "On Lake mountain, near Hamburg, where it was impossible to secure lumber, a small stone house was erected and roofed with corrugated iron to provide suitable shelter for the lookout who will be on duty day and night. The telephone system as now completed, when taken in connection with lines previously constructed by private companies, gives a complete circuit of the forest." (Siskiyou Daily News)
September 5, 1912: "The largest fire of this season on the Klamath forest was discovered last Thursday morning on Horse creek by James Clyman, the lookout on Lake mountain. The fire started in twelve or fifteen different places and was undoubtedly of incendiary origin. Over six hundred acres were burned before the forest officials succeeded in getting it under control." (Siskiyou Daily News)
September 5, 1912: "A 600 acre fire was reported in Horse Creek. It was an incendiary fire, with 12 separate sets. The fire was discovered by Lake Mountain lookout." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol.2 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
September 26, 1912: "Ass't Ranger J.B. Johnston was authorized funds to finish the Lake Mountain Lookout Station." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol.2 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
August 7, 1913: "Lightning struck the lookout house on Lake mountain near Hamburg last week and communication was temporarily cut off by the telephone line being cut." (Siskiyou Daily News)
September 9, 1915: "William Hicks, Lookout on Lake Mountain, was absent three days during the week on account of the sudden illness of Mrs. Hicks at Hamburg." (Siskiyou Daily News)
October 21, 1915: "Will Hicks, who fills the position as lookout at Lake mountain, came down last Saturday to spend a four-days lay-off with his family. Craig Harbaugh of the canyon will fill the vacancy until his return." (Siskiyou Daily News)
August 3, 1916: "Will Hicks left this week for Lookout station after spending a few days with his family." (Siskiyou Daily News)
October 5, 1916: "C. E. Humphrey is home from Lake Mountain lookout.
Wm. Hicks was home for four days this week from lookout mountain on a visit to his family." (Siskiyou Daily News)
June 21, 1917: "T. F. Magoffey moved Will Hicks to Lake mountain Sunday. Will is look-out man for the government." (Siskiyou Daily News)
September 14, 1928: "(Gus Kehrer Diary) Went to Lake Mountain Lookout to replace Fridley who had a bad leg. Got two shots at a buck at the Spring on the 15th, missed. Thunderstorm on the 16th, reported 5 fires. My brother Joe arrived on the 17th to hunt. Gathered Foxtail Pine seed on the 18th to be shipped to France." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol.3 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
September 20, 1928: "(Gus Kehrer Diary) Severe wind at Lake Mt. Lookout. Blew gas cans away. Chipmunks kept me busy chasing them away from the Foxtail pine cones I had spread out to dry." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol.3 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
May 23, 1929: "Ranger John Williams of Scott Bar installed a telephone at Lake Mountain lookout camp Friday." (Siskiyou Daily News)
August 8, 1929: "Ranger John Williams carried supplies to William Fridley at Lake mountain lookout station Friday." (The Siskiyou News)
May 16, 1932: "(Hill Diary) John and I started maintaining Lake Mt. telephone line. Continued next day with George Skillen and finished up to lookout. Four feet of snow on top. Someone had tried to get into the lookout during the winter. Pry marks on door." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol.4 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
September 19, 1933: "(Hill Diary) Up at 6:30 A.M. to help Walter Gillis pack lumber and material for loading mules to take the stuff to Lake Mountain Lookout. (A new standard lookout cab was to be built on the old stone building constructed in 1912)." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol. 4 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
September 20, 1933: "(Hill Diary) Took four CCC boys and cleaned out Lake Mountain trail so pack mules could get through with long lumber." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol. 4 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
October 31, 1933: "New Lookout house already completed on Lake Mountain." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol.4 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
November 4, 1933: A new lookout house on Lake Mountain in the Scott River District has been completed using Civilian Conservation Corps labor. (Blue Lake Advocate)
May 21, 1934: "(Hill Diary) John and I leave for Lake Mt., working telephone line. Arrived at Lookout late in P.M. Someone had broken lock and damaged door jamb. Overnight at the Lookout. While working line the next day, drove climbing spur into calf of leg. Dr. says two days off after dressing the puncture, but I stayed in office anyway." (Chronological History of the Klamath National Forest, Vol. 4 - Compiled by R. Bower, USFS Retired)
2014: The lookout was wrapped in flame retardant foil when threatened by the advancing Happy Camp Complex.
September 8, 2014: The long time lookout for the Klamath National Forest on the Lake Mountain Lookout, Nancy Hood, lost her home to the Happy Camp Complex. The loss was complete, and numerous efforts are underway to collect donations to help Nancy.
DESIGNATION - LAKE MTN LOOKOUT HOUSE
PID - MX1140
STATE/COUNTY- CA/SISKIYOU
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - GRIDER VALLEY (1981)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1952 (WRH)
THE STATION IS LOCATED ABOUT 18 MILES AIRLINE WEST NORTHWEST
OF FORT JONES, 13 MILES AIRLINE EAST SOUTHEAST OF HAPPY CAMP,
AND 8-1/2 MILES AIRLINE SOUTHWEST OF THE POST OFFICE AT
HORSE CREEK, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF LAKE MOUNTAIN.
THE LOOKOUT HOUSE IS A STANDARD U.S. FOREST SERVICE LOOKOUT
HOUSE WHICH IS ABOUT 14 FEET SQUARE AND IS AN INCLOSED TWO
STORY BUILDING ABOUT 30 FEET HIGH. THE CENTER OF THE HOUSE
WAS INTERSECTED.