SHASTA COUNTY
PROSPECT PEAK
Lassen National Park
September 9, 1981: "History is being recreated in Lassen Volcanic National Park according to Park Superintendent Bill Stephenson. The old Prospect Peak fire lookout was flown from the top of the peak to Manzanita Lake by helicopter on July 21 for preservation and restoration.
"Historical research on this building indicates it was built in 1912. Records show there were a number of lookouts built and preassembled in Red Bluff during the winter of 1911-12. After they were assembled, they were taken apart and packaged into loads a mule could pack. The Prospect Peak lookout was hauled to Butte Lake and carried by mule train to the top of the mountain,' Stephenson said.
'This is possibly the oldest remaining Forest Service style lookout in the United States, and as such, is entered on the National Register of Historic Structures.' Stephenson added.
Plans are to restore it to as near its original condition as possible. It will be equipped with fire-finding equipment and furnishings of the type used during that era, such as hand-crank telephone, wood stove and a folding iron cot with a thin mattress.
After it is restored and furnished, living history demonstrations will be conducted to show and describe how a fire lookout lived and did his job during that period. 'This will be a very interesting and informative public service program, and we are looking forward to the day it can begin,' Stephenson concluded." (Lassen County Times)
"Historical research on this building indicates it was built in 1912. Records show there were a number of lookouts built and preassembled in Red Bluff during the winter of 1911-12. After they were assembled, they were taken apart and packaged into loads a mule could pack. The Prospect Peak lookout was hauled to Butte Lake and carried by mule train to the top of the mountain,' Stephenson said.
'This is possibly the oldest remaining Forest Service style lookout in the United States, and as such, is entered on the National Register of Historic Structures.' Stephenson added.
Plans are to restore it to as near its original condition as possible. It will be equipped with fire-finding equipment and furnishings of the type used during that era, such as hand-crank telephone, wood stove and a folding iron cot with a thin mattress.
After it is restored and furnished, living history demonstrations will be conducted to show and describe how a fire lookout lived and did his job during that period. 'This will be a very interesting and informative public service program, and we are looking forward to the day it can begin,' Stephenson concluded." (Lassen County Times)