MOUNT LUKENS (sister elsie)
Los Angeles County
September 19, 1922: "Mt. Lukens, directly north of La Cresenta and formerly known as 'Sister Elsie' peak, will become a lookout station for the United States Forest Service during the fire seasons, if the plans proposed by Supervisor R.H. Charlton materialize. This will be the second outlook in the big Angeles Reserve under the direction of the local branch, the other being on Mt. Baldy." (Santa Ana Register)
September 18. 1924: "Still pressing on in its relentless course, the forest fire north of Mount Wilson, this afternoon leaped over the ridge into the upper ravines of Big Tujunga canyon, according to word telephoned here by James Murray, government lookout at Mt. Lukens, and observers on Mt. Wilson.
Immediately 275 men were hurried from the vicinity of Colby's ranch to the Big Tujunga front, and it is believed they will be able to check the new blaze within a few hours." (Modesto Evening News)
August 23, 1929: "Reports submitted for the month of July by Ira W. Roberts, lookout on Mt. Lukens, located northwest of Pasadena on the Angeles, show that during the month he reported a total of 110 fires.
Of this total, 75 reports were sent in to the Los Angeles County Forestry Dept. covering fires within their jurisdiction, 31 fires were reported direct to the Forest Service, and four fires were reported to both agencies.
A great many of the above reports covered 'smokes' resulting from controlled burning such as lots, incinerators, etc.
Who would like the job of checking up on these reports without the aid of the telephone? The inventor of the telephone probably little realized the far reaching benefits to mankind which would result from his contribution. More power to Alexander Graham Bell!
Incidentally the humidity dropped to 2% at Mt. Lukens at 6 a.m. on August 11. --Davis, Angeles." (California District News Letter)
November 23, 1933: "L. W. Elliott of the county fire department, after sticking to his little lookout structure atop Mt. Lukens for thirty-six hours, was forced to flee this morning. With him went Garland Roberts and three other fire fighters." (The Fresno Bee The Republican)
November 24, 1933: "Throughout the day hundreds of families, having fled during the night and early morning hours from the danger zone, sought to retrieve personal belongings, clothing and bedding in their scorched homes. L. W. Elliott, veteran lookout atop Mt. Lukens, who fled during the night, returned to his post this afternoon." (The San Bernardino County Sun)