Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District

The Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District encompasses the historic area devoted to visitor interpretation services at the northwest entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California. The district's earliest structures were built by Benjamin and Estella Loomis, who were instrumental in the establishment of the park and among the park's first concessioners. The 1927 Loomis Museum and its seismograph hut were built by the Loomises and were donated, together with 40 acres (16 ha) of land to the National Park Service in 1929.[2] The Loomis House, also known as the Loomis Art House and Manzanita Lake Ranger Station, was built about the same time as the museum and served as their residence, photography studio and shop until the 1950s under the name "B.F. Loomis Photo and Art Store".[3][4]

Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District
Loomis Art House
Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District is located in California
Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District
Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District is located in the United States
Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District
Location39489 CA 44, Shingletown, California
Coordinates40°32′10″N 121°33′44″W / 40.53611°N 121.56222°W / 40.53611; -121.56222
Area85 acres (34 ha)
Built1927
Built byBenjamin and Estella Loomis, Civilian Conservation Corps
ArchitectNational Park Service (1930s structures)
Architectural styleRenaissance, NPS Rustic
MPSLassen Volcanic National Park MPS
NRHP reference No.06000525[1]
Added to NRHPJune 23, 2006

Park Service structures were developed at Manzanita Lake in the 1930s. Park Service-designed and constructed buildings include the entrance station (1930), the ranger residence (1931) and the comfort station (1931). The naturalist's residence (1933) shares a similar design to its counterparts at Crater Lake National Park, with their design and construction techniques adapted to the short building seasons prevalent at both parks.[5] The residence was built using Civilian Conservation Corps labor.[6]

The area was abandoned in 1973 after a geological report indicated that a rockfall in the Chaos Crags could reach the Manzanita Lake area in 90 seconds. The Manzanita Lodge and cabins were therefore closed and demolished. In 1987 a reassessment indicated that such a rockfall could not reach Manzanita Lake and the area was reoccupied and renovated. The lodge was never rebuilt.[7] The Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 23, 2006.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Chappell, Gordon (October 21, 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Loomis Visitor Center". National Park Service. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  3. ^ "Loomis Art House". List of Classified Structures. National Park Service. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  4. ^ Emmons, Ann; Catton, Ted (February 2004). "National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form: Lassen Volcanic National Park Multiple Property Listing". National Park Service. p. 53. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  5. ^ Kaiser, Harvey H. (2008). The National Park Architecture Sourcebook. Princeton Architectural Press. pp. 65–67. ISBN 978-1-56898-742-2.
  6. ^ "Park Naturalist's Residence". List of Classified Structures. National Park Service. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  7. ^ Multiple Property Submission, p. 68