MT JACKSON |
California Department of Forestry
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March 3, 1927: "Bids for the construction of a forest lookout station on the summit of Mount Jackson in the Russian river section have been submitted to the state board of forestry H.L. Blaisdell, state forest ranger, announced Monday.
The station, which it is estimated will cost $1,500 to build, will overlook the entire Russian river section and beyond and will make it possible to 'spot' a blaze as soon as it breaks out in the timbered areas, The resort owners have been asked to contribute to the building fund on the ground that it will be of mutual benefit to all resorts in the section." (Healdsburg Enterprise)
The station, which it is estimated will cost $1,500 to build, will overlook the entire Russian river section and beyond and will make it possible to 'spot' a blaze as soon as it breaks out in the timbered areas, The resort owners have been asked to contribute to the building fund on the ground that it will be of mutual benefit to all resorts in the section." (Healdsburg Enterprise)
August 10, 1927: "A fire lookout tower from which the furthermost corner of Sonoma county will be seen, is to be built this fall on the summit of Mt. Jackson, near here. The cost of the tower will be $2500 and quarters for lookouts on duty will be provided during the season's fire menace. This precaution will facilitate the protection of the Russian River districts, locale of scores of valuable summer homes." (Oakland Tribune)
February 22, 1928: "At yesterday's Board meeting of the supervisors of Sonoma county State Forest Inspector R.E. Roach arranged a co-operative agreement between that county and the state whereby Sonoma county appropriated $3,000 for fire suppression work during the coming year and $300 to be used towards the completion of the fire lookout station on Mt. Jackson near Guerneville. As this work in Sonoma county has only been under the supervision of the state for two years this action of the Board speaks well for the efficiency of the State Forestry officers." (Ukiah Republican Press)
February 22, 1928: "Construction of a two-story forest fire lookout on the summit of Mount Jackson, near Guerneville, for protection during the summer months when the fire hazard is the greatest will start as soon as a road now being built up the mountain side for transporting supplies is completed. This was announced today by Ed Nalander, state forest ranger. The lower floor will be the living quarter. The top floor which will be of [missing line] windows on each side giving the lookout a complete sweep of vision over the entire region.
The mountain, the highest, in the district, commands a view of the entire bay district. A telephone will be installed and by use of a plane table blazes can be located within a few minutes time." (Oakland Tribune)
February 23, 1928: "The fire lookout station that was proposed for Mount Jackson, a few miles southwest of Healdsburg, last year, but was not erected because of lack of funds, is to be put up this year. It will be an octagonal building costing a thousand dollars with living quarters in the lower story and an upper story equipped with eight windows from which the guard will 'view the landscape o'er' watching for forest fires.
Last year Fred Johnson of Rio Nido, who is to be fire guard again this year, lived on the mountain top in a tent, but he did splendid work for the county in spite of his uncomfortable quarters. This year he will have better quarters and better facilities for keeping watch.
A road is being builded up the side of the mountain and as soon as that has been completed the work of putting up the lookout station will go forward." (Sotyome Scimitar)
March 22, 1928: "A forest fire lookout station will be erected on Mount Jackson, overlooking the Russian river country, it was announced here today by State Forester M.B. Pratt.
A lookout was maintained on Mount Jackson last year as an experiment. He saved many times over his salary by reporting fires, the forester said, and the station will now be made permanent." (Healdsburg Tribune)
March 25, 1928: "Funds donated to the state division of forestry and of which Sonoma county has given $200 has made possible the installation of a fire lookout station on Mt. Jackson, overlooking the Russian river country, State Forester M.B. Pratt announced today." (Oakland Tribune)
April 26, 1928: "The next two weeks will see a fire lookout in the newly constructed tower on Mt. Jackson, according to County Forest Ranger Ed Nelander. The lookout will be on constant duty during the summer months.
The upper story is the lookout's post, while the lower floor will be his living quarters. The latter, however, is also equipped with windows on all eight sides in order that the lookout will have an unimpeded view on a sides, even in his personal quarters." (Healdsburg Enterprise)
The upper story is the lookout's post, while the lower floor will be his living quarters. The latter, however, is also equipped with windows on all eight sides in order that the lookout will have an unimpeded view on a sides, even in his personal quarters." (Healdsburg Enterprise)
May 27, 1929: "Fred Johnson of Rio Pico will ascend Mt. Jackson near Guerneville next Saturday for four and one-half months on the hilltop. During that time he will not leave the limited boundaries of the fire lookout station." (Oakland Tribune)
July 15, 1930: "Fire Lookout Fred Johnson former Petaluman on duty at the lookout station at the peak of Mt. Jackson near Guerneville, on Tuesday over the telephone from that lofty station, stated that Monday was the warmest day he has ever experienced in his years of duty at the station and nearby. He said that it was almost unbearable and the heat throughout the district was very severe. He did not know how the thermometer read, however." (Petaluma Argus-Courier)
May 15, 1931: "Fire Lookout Fred Johnson, former Petaluman and Mrs. Johnson were down from Rionido on Thursday afternoon, coming down for a brief business trip.
This will be Mr. Johnson's last visit here for some months as he went on duty at the fire lookout station on the summit of Mt. Jackson near Guerneville on Friday morning and will be on duty at the station with but little if any relief until the rainy season starts in next fall.
A road has been built to the top of Mt. Jackson but the fire lookout does not advise its use as yet as it is narrow and dangerous and the surface is rough. Next year it will be improved." (Petaluma Argus-Courier)
August 4, 1931: "Fred Johnson of Rionido, was taken down from Mount Jackson lookout Friday by auto to his home for medical attention. One side of Johnson's body from hips up was slightly paralyzed, the attack coming suddenly while he was cutting wood at the station." (Sotoyome Scimitar)
June 7, 1932: "The fire lookout for the Russian river area on Mt. Jackson has been dispatched to his station for the summer months. Fred Johnson, who held the same position last year, will again locate all fires in this vicinity and report them to the county fire office at Santa Rosa." (Healdsburg Tribune)
June 3, 1933: "The lookout station on Mt. Jackson from which scores of fires have been spotted in their inception in recent years and extinguished before they had an opportunity to do serious damage, was opened today when Fred Johnson took up his lonely vigil on the peak. He will remain at his post until November 1. From his lofty perch, Johnson can see out over four counties." (Oakland Tribune)
July 29, 1933: "Fred Johnson, county fire lookout, who resides, every summer, in the lookout station perched atop of Mt. Jackson, near Guerneville, where he is constantly on the watch for smoke and flames in all parts of the county, may have the lonesomest job in Sonoma county, but he certainly has all modern conveniences,
For instance, Johnson is about the only Sonoma county resident who has his daily mail brought to his door by airplane.
Each day, Denny Wright, pilot from Oakland airport, who is spending the summer at the Guerne resort, at Guerneville, where daily passenger trips in his plane are a feature of Russian river life, is the 'mail man.'
He picks up John's mail and papers at the lookout's Gueneville residence, flies low over the lookout station and drops the bundle of letters and papers to the lonely lookout.
The daily delivery, together with telephone service and a radio, keeps Johnson in constant touch with the outside world.--Republican." (Petaluma Argus-Courier)
November 4, 1933: "The fire lookout station on Mt. Jackson has been closed by Fred Johnson, fire lookout for Sonoma county. Johnson has been on duty atop the mountain since early in the spring, spotting fires and smoke smudges to keep the ranger in touch with any outbreaks of forest fires." (Petaluma Argus-Courier)
June 16, 1934: "The forest fire lookout station at the peak of Mt. Jackson near Guerneville was opened for the summer season on Saturday. Fire Lookout Fred Johnson, former Petaluman, who has scanned the skies as fire lookout in the county for many years, ascended to his lofty 'perch' to start the summer's vigil.
For several years past Johnson has received daily mail and newspapers at his high lookout station by airplane, the packages being dropped as the plane flies over the peak." (Petaluma Argus-Courier)
July 26, 1935: "Fire of undetermined origin starting in two separate parts of the property late yesterday for a time threatened to sweep through Bohemian Grove, famous Summer home of members of the San Francisco Bohemian Club.
The blaze, discovered by Fred Johnson, of the Mount Jackson Lookout Station, was controlled by a crew of 30 workmen in the grove and members of the Armstrong Suppression Camp, who were headed by Forest Ranger A.R. Wilkie.
Approximately eight acres were burned over, the flames at times coming fairly close to several camps and cottages." (Oakland Tribune)
May 18, 1939: "The fire lookout station atop of Mt. Jackson has been opened for the summer fire season. Sam Wykoff is in charge of the station which is situated in the heart of the Russian river resort area.
The station was opened ahead of the usual season under order of W.J. Hufford. Sub normal rainfall this year may present the worst fire menace in years, officials explained." (Healdsburg Tribune, Enterprise and Scimitar)
