Green Mountain Fire Lookout

A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Lookout
Madera, Mariposa, Merced Ranger Unit

Very little is known about the Green Mountain Lookout, it's principal use was for wildland fire detection. During the Second World War it was also used for an aircraft observation post, as were many of the lookouts located in this area. There seems to be some historical value to the lookout shown below, in the March, 1990 B/W photos.

In 1983 a person who was doing research on fire lookouts in California stated Green Mountain Lookout is one of the few lookouts built in that era, that are still in its original configuration. The lookout was built in 1942 by CDF carpenter, Frank Greeley, out of Mariposa. According to the first lookout (Clinton Preston) assigned to Green Mountain, during 1942 and 1943, it was also used as an aircraft spotting station in conjunction with the Second World War.

The lookout is of wood frame construction. It sits on a concrete foundation which was poured on a large rock pile. The cap, or lookout section, is square and has three large windows on each side. Shutters shade the windows from the sun on all four sides of the lookout section. The living quarters is rectangular shaped with tilt-in-sash type windows, and plain wooden shingles as siding. Both cap roof and low gable roof are covered with wood shingles. In 1969, exterior stairs were added for personnel safty, and the interior steps deteriorated and were removed on 1979.

The lookouts use ended in (unknown at this time) and the tower was turned over to the property owner.