B.F. Loomis is best known for his photography of the Lassen Peak eruptions. Loomis, was also an ardent supporter of Lassen Volcanic National Park. On January 16, 1926, Loomis purchased 40-acres at nearby Reflection Lake, not to far from Manzanita Lake. At this time, had not made a decision where to locate the headquarters, and Loomis lobbied for Manzanita Lake, and even offered the parcel he purchased to the park for “administrative services.”
The decision did not deter Loomis’ support of the park. In 1927, he built a museum of native stone and reinforced concrete near Reflection Lake. The museum served two purposes. One, it allowed him to showcase his famed photographic collection of the Lassen Peak eruptions, previously on display at his hotel at nearby Viola. The second reason was it served as a memorial to his only child, Louisa Mae, who had died in 1920. The building was named in her honor as the Louisa Mae Loomis Memorial Museum.
On February 4, 1929, Loomis deeded the property to the park. On July 2, 1929, the park in consideration of the donation, granted Loomis a life estate to five acres that allowed him to continue to maintain the museum and gave him the privilege of building a residence and photographic studio.