Mount Bielawski Lookout, Santa Cruz County, California, Elev. = 3200 ft.
On California State land
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Mount Bielawski Lookout, Santa Cruz County, California, Elev. = 3200 ft.
On California State land |
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| The Mount Bielawski lookout site contains a 60 foot high tower, a single story wood frame residence, and a small pump house. The tower is the first fire detection structure to be built with state funds in 1922. It is the second oldest "State" operated fire detection point. It is located just inside Santa Cruz County on Castle Rock Ridge. A paved road is 0.2 miles away and there are other communications towers nearby. | |||||||||
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| The tower is the oldest Aeromotor company tower in California. Originally built in 1922 the tower has been modified by adding an internal stairway to replace ladder access. In 1955 the seven foot square cab was remodeled with a catwalk and door. | |||||||||
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| The tower still looks in good condition. All photos by Fred Johnson on May 31, 2013. There is a survey datasheet for the tower: HT3272. There is a benchmark disk 524 feet to the northeast called Mount McPherson. It is on slightly higher ground at 3234 feet. HT3273. | |||||||||