This is, in essence, is more like a plea for information. For a time the California. Division of Forestry operated a fire station at the south shore of Eagle Lake. Unfortunately, the information CDF has and as well as my own is rather sketchy.
It was established sometime in the 1950s and what is unique the first station was located on Fruit Growers Supply Company land near their Sunkist cabin. Unfortunately, Fruit Growers is in such a disarray that avenue to locate an agreement is not going to happen.
In the mid 1950s the County of Lassen urged the Lassen National Forest to make recreational improvements at the south shore of Eagle Lake. By 1958, the Eagle Campground was established and so too was the CDF station. At the end of the 1952 logging season Fruit Growers closed its last remaining logging camp—Camp 10—thus eliminating a resource for fire fighting. Between the Gallatin Peak fire of 1951 and the Merrill Fire of 1955 might have been impetuous to establish the fire station. Later on the CDF relocated the station adjacent to County Road A1, near the intersection of the turn. off to the marina and Gallatin Beach.
If anyone can shed some enlightenment on this topic, it would certainly be appreciated.
Tim
Tim,
A document titled “Agreement” is recorded at Book 227, Page 506, of the Official Records of Lassen County that will likely provide some insight.
This document is between Fruit Growers and the State of CA and deeds a 5.69 acre parcel to the State for the current fire station. It also states that there was a 30 year lease for a 2.1 acre parcel (the old fire station) which began on January 22, 1943 and was set to expire on January 31, 1973. The document was recorded on April 4, 1969, presumably ahead of the upcoming expiration date.
The 1973 date does align with what is believed to be the construction and opening of the current Eagle Lake Station around 1972.
Don,
Do you have any records of similar nature for the Slate Springs / Slate Creek area involving the State of CA? There was a similar facility, though not as well established, on the west side of Grasshopper Valley in the 1930’s / 1940’s.