REDDING
Atop a County Office building
May 26, 1931: "A great improvement in the facilities of the state forces here is under way. It is a lookout station on top of the old high school, or county offices building, in which Hufford has his headquarters. A view of the entire county, with the exception of the far eastern section, is offered and the rangers will be able to 'spot' fires immediately after they break out and have men on them before they can gain headway." (The Searchlight)
July 2, 1931: "Lookouts stationed atop the county offices building spotted two fires, one on Clear creek, two miles west of the Pacific highway and one at the upper end of Churn Creek valley. Five acres were burned over in each instance, but damage was slight, the fires going through manzanita and scrub oak. B. F. Tyler and Thomas Boswell took the state truck to the Clear creek blaze." (The Searchlight)
July 9, 1931: "Fire burned over 30 acres of grass and oak timber near the Parkville schoolhouse on Bear creek yesterday afternoon. It was located by the Redding lookout at 12:30 and Ranger W. J. Hufford and four men went out immediately, getting the flames under control by 3 o'clock. Three men are still patrolling it, however.
A few fence posts were destroyed, but no buildings and the damage was not great." (The Searchlight)
May 17, 1932: "Beginning with the erection of a lookout station atop the County Offices Building on Placer street W. J. Hufford, state district ranger, is lining up his forces in preparation for the 1932 fire season.
The station on the building will be 14 feet square. Last year a canvass was used to protect the lookouts from the sun, but when winds rose difficulty was experienced." (The Searchlight)
June 7, 1932: "Thomas Boswell of Redding will be lookout stationed in the new observatory on top of the county office building on Placer street, according to announcement made from the office of W. J. Hufford, state ranger, Tuesday. Boswell will assume his duties within a few days, as the fire season is expected to begin any day. The lookout station, which has just been completed and painted, cost $100." (Courier-Free Press)