Leek Spring Mountain

ELDORADO COUNTY

LEEK SPRING MOUNTAIN

Eldorado National Forest

1914
Eldorado National Forest Collection

1932
USFS, Mark Swift Collection

No date
USFS, Courtesy - Rex Kamstra

The original tree lookout behind cabin.

October 1952
USFS, Courtesy - Rex Kamstra

August 2009
Ron Kemnow photo

May 17, 1913: "The Federal appropriation for El Dorado National Forest for the present year is $23,293. This does not include the cost of fire-fighting and the amount from the 10 per cent allowance spent for roads. Among probable improvements for this season are a house for the lookout on Leek Spring Mountain." (Mountain Democrat)

July 10, 1915: "Melvin Marshall, who acted as primary lookout man for the Forest Service last season on Leek Spring Mt., reported for duty on July 1 at the same station again this season. A 60-foot tower has been erected at that place and the lookout man is afforded an excellent view of the surrounding country for many miles." (Mountain Democrat)

September 11, 1915: "Forest officers on the El Dorado National Forest are maintaining a keen competition this season in the prevention and suppression of forest fires, Geo. M. Smith, Forest Fireman at the Lumber Yard Ranger Station on the Amador Grade, made what Forest officers consider one of the best records of the season when he traveled three and one-quarter miles to a fire in 23 minutes--three miles on horseback and one-quarter of a mile on foot down a mountain side.
At 8:40 a.m. on August 25, M. Handy, the Blue Mt. lookout man in Stanislaus Co., south of the Mokelumne River, sighted a smoke near Peddler Hill on the Amador Grade, now a state highway leading from Jackson via Silver Lake to Nevada. This lookout phoned Geo. M. Smith, who in turn phoned Forest Fireman Jas. P. Brown at the Caldor mills and also Melvin Marshall, lookout on Leek Spring Mountain, who was enabled by observation from the 50-foot tower on that mountain to report the direction of the fire to Smith. The location of the fire was given Smith at 8:46 a.m. and he immediately jumped on his horse, making the record ride mentioned above, arriving at the fire line at 9:09 a.m. With the assistance of John Ellis, who arrived shortly afterwards, the fire was extinguished after burning over an area of but 2/5 of one acre, but had it not been reached and extinguished immediately, might have caused a serious conflagration." (Mountain Democrat)

October 16, 1915: "Within a few days construction work on a lookout house on Leek Spring Mt., located within the Caldor district of the El Dorado National Forest near the Alpine State highway, will be commenced by the Forest officers. J.M. Hughes, the Improvement Ranger of the Forest, will have charge of the construction work. He has just returned to Placerville from a detail to the Tahoe National Forest, where he constructed a Forest Service barn at one of the Ranger Stations near Forest Hill. This lookout house is to be 14 feet square, with a rim of glass 30 inches wide around the building at a height where the lookout man may have a great view of the country when he is preparing his meals, etc. A sash door will also be used.
Leek Spring Mt. has an elevation of 7640 feet, and by the use of a 50 foot watch tower which has been placed at that point, the lookout man has an excellant view of a large scope of country, and is enabled to detect fires in their incipiency, and by reporting them immediately to Forest firemen, large conflagrations are prevented." (Mountain Democrat)

November 13, 1915: "One of the most modern and substantial fire lookout houses in the United States has just been erected on Leek Spring mountain at an elevation of 7640 feet, by Ranger J.M. Hughes, who was in Placerville today. This lookout tower is one of the great improvements on the El Dorado preserve for it will give the lookout man an excellent view of a large scope of country and enable him to detect fires in their incipiency. His report to forest firemen immediately will prevent large fires.
The tower erected is 50 feet high and the lookout house is 14 feet square, with a rim of glass 30 inches wide around the building at a height where the lookout man may view the surrounding country whether he is sitting or standing." (Sacramento Union)

November 20, 1915: "M.L. Marshall, who has been the Forest Service lookout at Leek Spring during the summer, was transacting business at the local office on Tuesday." (Mountain Democrat)

May 1, 1925:  "On Monday, two popular young people of Placerville slipped away to Sacramento, secured a marriage license, and were married by Rev. J.F. Wilson of the Methodist church.
     They thought it would be easy to keep the marriage a secret for a few weeks, but found it not so easy as they expected. Whether it was the happy smile on the groom's face that let their friends into the secret, or a little bird that spread the news--anyway the secret's out. The newlyweds are Mr. Clinton Colors of the Forest Service and Miss Violet Spencer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Spencer 324 Washington St., Placerville.
     The bride will continue her work in the high school and will graduate with her class in June, immediately after they will make their home at the Lookout Station at Leek Springs above Caldor, where Mr. Colors will be stationed this season."  (Mountain Democrat)

June 21, 1929: "Eugene Compton left Tuesday for Leek Springs lookout, where he will be on duty throughout the summer with the Eldorado National Forest staff." (The Mountain Democrat)

July 19, 1929: "State Forest Rangers were assisted by a crew from P.G.& E. Forebay Monday in extinguishing a fire which broke out along the pipe line below the El Dorado Power house. The blaze was discovered by the Leek Springs lookout and is thought to have been started by careless smokers." (The Mountain Democrat)

June 4, 1936: "A farewell party was given for Mr. and Mrs. Howard Cullers last week as they are leaving for the lookout station at Leek Springs Mountain. Cards were played and refreshments were enjoyed late in the evening." (The Mountain Democrat)