PLUMAS COUNTY

MOUNT HARKNESS

Lassen National Park

December 12, 1929:   "A fire lookout and meteorological and seismeological stations are to be constructed on the summit of Mount Harkness in the southeast corner of the park for fire protection and study of volcanic activities.  An appropriation of $3,300 is made for these improvements."   (Feather River Bulletin)

1930:  "A crew of builders was moved to Mount Harkness, where the new park lookout station was erected."   "A six mile long telephone line connected the newly newly constructed Harkness lookout station with headquarters."   "The first park-operated lookout station was established this year on Mount Harkness.  This addition has proved to be very effective in fire control work, inasmuch as the station is located at a strategic point for viewing the park area."  (Report of the Director of the National Park Service)

July 12, 1930:  "A forest fire lookout station on Mt. Harkness, at an elevation of 8000 feet in Lassen National forest, is nearly completed, the state division of forestry announced today.  A meteorological and seismological station is to be located on that mountain."  (San Mateo Times)

1930:  "A fire-lookout station constructed during the season on top of Mount Harkness in Lassen Volcanic National Park is among the finest and best equipped in northern California.  In addition to the usual maps and compasses, it contains an Osborne fire finder and a panoramic photograph mounted so that the location of the fire will be shown simultaneously on the photograph and the map when detected by the fire finder.  This station serves a triple purpose.  In addition to its importance in the fire prevention program of Lassen, it affords visitors, who may easily reach it by trail, an opportunity to view the country through powerful glasses, and it also contains a seismograph, which, in connection with two others, hourly records the slightest quivers of the earth."  (Report of the Director of the National Park Service)