SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
McPHERSON MOUNTAIN
Los Padres National Forest
June 14, 1935: "Two CCC men have been appointed to fire lookouts by District Ranger E, M, Lyda, he announced this morning.
Bill Hoey of Santa Maria, is to be in charge of the McPherson lookout.
The McPherson lookout is radio equipped, and Hoey's radio experience aided him in getting the post, Lyda said." (Santa Maria Daily Times)
Bill Hoey of Santa Maria, is to be in charge of the McPherson lookout.
The McPherson lookout is radio equipped, and Hoey's radio experience aided him in getting the post, Lyda said." (Santa Maria Daily Times)
June 18, 1935: "E. M. Lyda, district forest ranger plans to leave early tomorrow morning with Bill Hoey, for McPherson peak, where Hoey has been appointed lookout for the summer." (The Daily Times)
July 13, 1935: "At one time yesterday afternoon, when the fire was being fanned by a 35-mile wind, the flames got within 400 yards of McPherson lookout, in charge of William Hoey, radio operator from Santa Maria." (Santa Maria Daily Times)
October 4, 1935: "Lightning struck the radio antenna on McPherson lookout station Sunday afternoon; but did no damage. A lightning arrester saved the radio." (The Lompoc Record)
November 20, 1935: "Bill Hoey, Forest service lookout on McPherson mountain for the summer, returned his portable Forest service radio transmitter and receiver to the office of Ranger E. M. Lyda today, after using it constantly during his period as lookout. Saturday's rain ended the fire season and the lookouts have been called in.
The radio unit is contained in a small wooden box, approximately a foot square and equipped with a carrying handle. A battery case is twice as large and contains four 45 volt 'B' batteries, three ordinary dry cells, a 'C' battery and a space for antenna storage.
A microphone is located inside the lid of the box, and when opened, the battery unit connected with the radio unit and the antenna strung, the set is ready for action. It can be set up in five minutes, Hoey said.
During the summer, he used the radio hourly to send reports to Santa Barbara, and also communicated with Pine Canyon CCC camp twice a day.
The set is practically as simple to operate as an ordinary telephone." (Santa Maria Daily Times)
May 25, 1937: "Conrad Munson will be stationed at McPherson lookout station tomorrow. All other posts will be taken June 1." (Santa Maria Daily Times)
June 28, 1937: "McPherson Peak lookout station reported 20 lightning flashes between Aliso canyon and Branch mountain yesterday afternoon and last night." (Santa Maria Daily Times)
December 12, 1939: "Conrad Munson, lookout on Mt. McPherson, completed his duties today to rank as the last of the protection force on the Santa Maria district of the Los Padres National Forest to be relieved of his duties with closing of the fire season. Guard Dott Webber packed to McPherson yesterday to bring Munson down from his wilderness post. He called at the local ranger headquarters this morning en route to Los Angeles, where he will spend the winter months at his home." (Santa Maria Daily Times)
March 16, 1967: "William H. Hansen, Supervisor of the Los Padres National Forest, announced today that bids are now being received for the construction of the fire protection road above Cuyama Valley on the Sierra Madre mountain range.
The road construction will start at the intersection of the Bates Canyon road and will extend approximately eight miles to the McPherson Peak lookout." (The Arroyo Grande Valley Herald Recorder)