SISKIYOU COUNTY
ROUND MOUNTAIN
Modoc National Forest
All: July 26, 2019 - Ron Kemnow photos
1912: Site was approved for administrative use.
October 10, 1928: "During the past few weeks forest rangers, in co-operation with the McCloud River Lumber Company, have been engaged in clearing timber from the top of Round Mountain lookout, the western part of the Modoc National Forest.
Hundreds of sugar pine and western yellow pine trees of large dimensions which obscured a clear view from the top of the lookout point have fallen before the saw.
The Round Mountain lookout commands a view of many millions of splendid government and private timber located in Modoc and Siskiyou counties but is heavily timbered clear to the summit. This retarded the lookout men in their location of fires." (The Sacramento Bee)
July 16, 1930: "Under the supervision of T. J. Jones, supervisor in charge of the Shasta National Forest, construction work will commence on a standard lookout house on top of Round mountain, one of the forest service lookout points in the timbered lava bed region.
Round mountain, which is one of the finest lookout points in northern California, is located almost on the Modoc-Siskiyou county line and its summit is reached by an excellent auto road spiraling completely around the sides of the mountain. The lookout point itself is located in the Shasta forest but is manned and operated by officers of the Modoc forest, since most of the country which it covers is included in the latter unit. Men stationed on this peak, which is a low-lying lone hill, often locate fires as much as 40 and 50 miles distant." (The Klamath News)
November 3, 1944: "O-Plans-Master-Project Work Budget
Name of Station - Round Mountain Lookout.
Type of Building - Lookout building with living quarters for 2.
Other buildings and utilities - 1. Garage and tool and wood storage, 2 car J 21 Type.
2. Water Storage.
3. Windcharger.
4. Latrine.
Remarks - Approved for 1 fireman and 1 lookout, present structure inadequate." (From Acting Forest Supervisor, Modoc to Regional Forester)
Name of Station - Round Mountain Lookout.
Type of Building - Lookout building with living quarters for 2.
Other buildings and utilities - 1. Garage and tool and wood storage, 2 car J 21 Type.
2. Water Storage.
3. Windcharger.
4. Latrine.
Remarks - Approved for 1 fireman and 1 lookout, present structure inadequate." (From Acting Forest Supervisor, Modoc to Regional Forester)
1946: During the period of 1942 through 1946 this lookout made 30 first discoveries.
September 20, 1956: "It was recommended to install a weather station at Round Mountain L.O. since that area was not covered by any weather station. As yet we have received no Fire Weather Records from Round Mountain. We wonder if that fire weather station was set up this year. If not, could you give us an idea when it might go into operation? It takes a season's weather data before we can incorporate a station into the FDR system." (Memo from the Division of Forest Fire Research to the Forest Supervisor, Modoc NF)
July 22, 1957: "Made a familiarization trip to this location in time to assist in explaining weather observations to the new substitute Lookout. The thermometer shelter is rather shaky and Mr. Aiken plans to stake it down more firmly." (Report - Weather Bureau Inspection)
2002: The lookout structure underwent extensive remodeling.