SPANISH PEAK
Plumas County - Plumas National Forest
October 14, 1907: "A short-cut trail built from the Toll Gate to the summit of Spanish Peak, which is used as a lookout station in fire season." (Plumas National-Bulletin)
August 20, 1914: "Wm. Konradi, who presides at the forest service fire lookout station on Spanish Peak, yesterday reported that another magnificent eruption of Mount Lassen occurred early in the morning, the smoke and steam from which rose to greater height that any of the other eruptions witnessed by him." (Plumas National-Bulletin)
October 30, 1919: "Buford Stratton went up to Spanish Peak the last of the week and brought Mr. Chase and his belongings down from the Lookout Station. No more fires this season." (Plumas Independent)
December 9, 1920: "L.C. Chase, forest service lookout, stationed on Spanish Peak during the summer months, was here last week renewing acquaintances. The wide-awake look-out seemed to be enjoying himself after his long summer's vigil on the lofty Spanish Peak." (Plumas Independent)
September 15, 1921: "L.C. Chase, Lookout man on Spanish Peak took Sunday off. The first and only day off for the season. Louie will not be down again until the end of the fire season." (Plumas Independent)
November 24, 1921: "Louie Chase of Meadow Valley favored the Independent with a business call yesterday. Mr. Chase has been in charge of the Government lookout station on Spanish Peak all summer." (Plumas Independent)
May 22, 1924: "Louis Chase returned Tuesday to Spanish Peak lookout station, where for seven years he has been a most efficient guardian of the forest." (Feather River Bulletin)
June 18, 1925: "L.C. Chase is once more established at the lookout on Spanish Peak. Mr. Chase has held this position for several years." (Feather River Bulletin)
October 1, 1925: "The rains brought L.C. Chase, Spanish Peak lookout, down from his station. There is not much danger now from fire." (Feather River Bulletin)
June 3, 1926: "L.C. Chase, lookout on Spanish Peak, went on duty today. The dry, hot weather has hurried him a few days." (Feather River Bulletin)
October 7, 1926: "L.C. Chase was down from the Lookout on Spanish Peak, for a few moments Sunday. The rain giving him an opportunity for a few minutes leave of absence." (Plumas Independent)
June 9, 1927: "L.A. Chase, Spanish Peak lookout, went to Quincy today to attend the rangers' meeting held at the government experimental station June 9-10-11." (The Plumas National-Bulletin)
November 3, 1927: "L.C. Chase, the lookout from Spanish Peak, came down for the season Monday." (Feather River Bulletin)
March 7, 1929: "Louie Chase, look-out man on Spanish Peak, has a new Ford phaeton." (Feather River Bulletin)
June 7, 1928: "L.C. Chase, forest lookout on Spanish Peak, resumed his duties last Friday--nearly two weeks earlier than last year." (Plumas Independent)
September 5, 1929: "Clifford Barnes, Game Warden, and R.A. Bar and James Nunnally set out with 4000 trout for a small lake under Spanish Peak.
The cans were taken to the Spanish Peak Lookout Station in a car. Then the fish were put into one can and carried a distance of two miles down over a cliff, where there was no trail. The party then dropped down to the lake by following one bench after another along the face of the cliff. When they arrived at their destination, there were only about half the fish alive. On their return, they visited a short time at the Lookout Station. The Lookout man said they were his first visitors in two weeks." (Feather River Bulletin)
June 5, 1930: "In order that Clarence Woolsey, lookout man for the Plumas National Forest this season on the summit of Spanish Peak, might reach his station Sunday with required supplies, it was necessary to enlist the services of Kenneth Jacks and several pack horses. Fifteen feet of snow covering the summit and the sides of the peak for several hundred feet below, prevented use of an automobile in transporting bedding, groceries, and other essentials." Feather River Bulletin)
October 29, 1931: "Jack Wilsey, look-out on Spanish Peak, has finished his week for the season. W.E. Frick made a trip to the Peak and assisted Wilsey in removing his effects to Quincy." (Feather River Bulletin)
June 16, 1932: "Jack Woolsey, for many years look-out man on Spanish Peak, has been transferred to Pilot Peak and Ranger O'Brien will be at Spanish Peak." (Feather River Bulletin)
October 25, 1934: "Louis Chase, lookout man at Spanish Peak during the summer months, was a visitor here Saturday from his home at Meadow Valley." (Plumas Independent)
August 26, 1943: "Just reporting for duty August 18 is Eunice M. Olsen, who has been assigned to Spanish Peak. Mrs. Olsen hails from Oakland, California." (Feather River Bulletin)
September 16, 1943: "Mrs. Eunice Olsen, lookout, stationed at Spanish Peak by the Forest service, was in town on business last Thursday afternoon." (Plumas Independent)
September 30, 1943: "The Spanish Peak forest service fire lookout station has a full crew.
Betty Olsen, the lookout, reports that two kittens, 'as yellow as butterballs,' are thriving since their birth there a month ago. Mrs. Olsen has named them 'Quincy' and 'Spanish Peak.'
They had a brother, but he is no more. Mrs. Olsen and her husband, Carl, said before the three kittens were born that they hoped none would be black in color, like their father. The brother was black. He apparently died of remorse." (Feather River Bulletin)
July 18, 1946: "Barney Demes spent Sunday with his wife and nephew at Spanish Peak Lookout." (Feather River Bulletin)
October 10, 1947: "Spanish Peak Lookout, in the Plumas National Forest, has many visitors during the season, according to Adele Demes, forest lookout stationed there, but she complained this week that the last caller on Sunday last refuses to leave.
That visitor, a blue, white and bronze homing pigeon, not only likes Mrs. Demes, but he is fond of her cooking, and very well pleased with the accommodations afforded. According to Mrs. Demes, her new friend, 'Plumas Pete' the pigeon has taken possession of the kitchen wood box, and at bedtime hops gingerly to the floor and roosts comfortably under the kitchen stove.
Mrs. Demes reports an aluminum band on one of the pigeons legs carries the number '225AUMRC,' and a white rubber band on the other leg is numbered 'R61.' The bird entered the Spanish Peak Lookout Station quietly last Sunday morning through ab open door, unobserved, and was found on the kitchen floor apparently exhausted. Watered and fed, the little feathered stranger perked up and thoroughly inspected his newly adopted quarters.
Placed outside daily on the station railing, a high perch overlooking Meadow Valley in the Plumas forest, the pigeon refuses to take off to continue his original scheduled journey. Instead 'Plumas Pete,' with his feathers ruffled by the stiff breeze that blows continuously at Spanish Peak, returns to the wood box in the lookout's warm kitchen.
Growing more fond of 'Plumas Pete' daily, Mrs. Demes reports that when the time comes to return her new little friend to its owner, Spanish Peak will be the most lonesome lookout in the Plumas forest." (Nevada State Journal)
September 26, 1963: "Mrs. Jean Rippey of Caribou again spent the summer as lookout for the U.S. Forest Service on Spanish Peak." (Feather River Bulletin)
April 29, 1971: "Budget cuts will carve into the fire protection forces on the Plumas National Forest for the coming fire season, according to Forest Service spokesmen.
Preliminary review indicates a strong possibility, for at least the coming season, of having to discontinue fire lookout on Spanish Peak above Meadow Valley." (Portola Reporter)
October 18, 1973: "Government Building for sale: Spanish Peak Lookout: Buildings and all improvements above ground level shall be removed from site. Bid forms or information regarding the sale may be obtained at Forest Service Headquarters, Quincy." (Feather River Bulletin)
Removed