SUNSET PEAK
Los Angeles County - Angeles National Forest
March 27, 1915: "In a glass box at the top of a 50-foot steel tower at the crest of Sunset peak, 6000 feet above sea level, an employe of the forest service will keep guard to see that no forest fires get a start in San Antonio canyon.
According to R.H. Charlton, supervisor of the Angeles forest reserve, the tower will be built at once at a cost, with equipment, of about $2500." (The San Bernardino County Sun)
According to R.H. Charlton, supervisor of the Angeles forest reserve, the tower will be built at once at a cost, with equipment, of about $2500." (The San Bernardino County Sun)
October 8, 1927: "Old Baldy lookout one of the first established by the federal forest service in southern California, is to be abandoned in favor of a new 20-foot steel tower station on Sunset peak, forestry officials have announced.
The new tower will enable the ranger on duty to observe all canyons up to Mt. San Antonio as well as living a through command of the foothill and valley regions. The old station, located on what is known as Baldy Lookout peak, is to be dismantled." (Madera Tribune)
October 15, 1928: "Unusual for the Southland is the story of Friday night's storm, of lightning destroying the lookout station on Sunset Peak near Camp Baldy and also the loss of all personal belongings of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Horn, the lookout man of the United States forestry service who has been stationed at this point for the past two years. Lightning first struck the cabin Friday, while Mrs. Horn was in the lookout. She was stunned and some damage was done. As the telephone was put out of commission and the mountains were soaked by the snow and rain, eliminating fire danger, Horn and his wife decided it was useless for them to stay at the lookout.
It was probably this decision which saved their lives, for Friday night, lightning again struck the cabin and fire later destroyed it. Horn estimates his loss at $500." (Corona Daily Independent)
July 24, 1933: "In place of the pack trains which have carried supplies to the Sunset peak lookout station for many years, Walter Tate, fire warden, is using an automobile this summer. Construction of a motorway during the winter has made this a more convenient mode of travel." (The San Bernardino County Sun)
July 17, 1938: "Road blasting operations which dropped an electric power line in San Antonio canyon underbrush at 9:28 a.m. today gave forestry department officials their major fire scare of the season to date, but the blaze was controlled without damage.
Sighted from the fire lookout station at Sunset peak, the blaze was not 10 minutes old before 200 fighters, under direction of District Ranger Gordon Vance of the Glendora office of the U.S. forestry department were on their way to the fire scene.
Meanwhile, however, members of the road crew responsible for the blasting had been able to control the fire, so that it was possible to turn back a majority of the fighters before they reached the spot where the blaze started." (The San Bernardino County Sun)
December 9, 1938: "During the recent San Antonio Fire when the Sunset Peak Lookout was threatened from both sides, Sherman Foster, the lookout man on duty, kept his head and held his ground. Upon discovery of the fire, Foster recognized the fact that not only was his tower in jeopardy, but so also was the camp occupied by W.P.A. workers for the California Experiment Station, located a short distance from the lookout on the top of the ridge. He clicked off his report to the Suppression Crew at Bear Canyon, thence to the District Ranger, and Dispatcher's office. Then, before his telephone went out he got a message through to the foreman in charge of the camp, advising them of the danger. Due to this quick thinking, the foreman was able to remove all of the men from the camp without any trouble.
Mr. Foster then sized up the situation from the standpoint of his own welfare and the protection of Government property at Sunset Peak Lookout. In spite of the fact that the fire was coming up the mountain before a gale of approximately 45 miles per hour and showering the tower with sparks and blanketing it in smoke, he reasoned out his course of action with a courage that is a credit to any man. The fire came up the east side of the lookout first, and later on the north and west sides; and while there was somewhat of a clearing around the building, there was still grave danger for anyone to stay there. However, Mr. Foster remained at his post, in fact, remained in the tower most of the time. The result was no damage to Government property or to any of his personal belongings. - WVM - Angeles -" (California Ranger)
1974: The lookout was deactivated due to smog pollution that obstructed visibility.
