Tulelake in Siskiyou County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
J.D. Howard
Father of the Lava Beds National Monument
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 6, 2012
1. J.D. Howard Marker
He owned no car nor house, yet spent much of his life studying the Lava Beds area, walking along the shore of Tule Lake from the town of Merrill. He discovered many geologic features, naming, describing, and photographing them. He was particularly interested in exploring and mapping the caves. Many of the names he gave them can still be seen, painted in his own unique style, on the walls. He brought Modoc warrior Peter Schonchin here and recorded his memories of the events of the Modoc War. He led tours through the caves and around the battlefields. His continuous pressure on Forest Service officials contributed significantly to the establishment of the monument on November, 21, 1925.on January 9, 1875,
and died in Klamath Falls, Oregon,
on December 15, 1961.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 41° 42.818′ N, 121° 30.515′ W. Marker is in Tulelake, California, in Siskiyou County. Marker can be reached from Rd 10 (
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ambush at Midday - The Thomas-Wright Battle of April 26, 1873 (approx. 4.2 miles away); Spatter Cones (approx. 4.3 miles away); The End of the Modoc War (approx. 4.3 miles away); A Volcanic Classroom (approx. 4.3 miles away); Beds of Lava (approx. 5.6 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. 6.1 miles away); Last Meeting of the Peace Commission (approx. 7˝ miles away); Canby Cross (approx. 7˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tulelake.
More about this marker. Marker is located next to the Mushpot Cave entrance and just south of the Lava beds National Monument Visitor Center.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 6, 2012
2. J.D. Howard Marker
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 6, 2012
3. J.D. Howard interpretive display
This display is located in the Lava Beds visitor center and reads: Founder of the Monument
Inspired by his first trip to the lava beds in 1916, local mill worker Judson D. Howard returned repeatedly over the next 20 years to map lava tubes, guide visitors and build trails and roads. His letter-writing campaign to the President and Congress helped bring National Monument designation to the area in 1925.
Inspired by his first trip to the lava beds in 1916, local mill worker Judson D. Howard returned repeatedly over the next 20 years to map lava tubes, guide visitors and build trails and roads. His letter-writing campaign to the President and Congress helped bring National Monument designation to the area in 1925.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 6, 2012
4. J.D. Howard's typewriter
This is the typewriter that J.D. Howard used in his letter-writing campaign to the President and Congress to establish the Lava Beds as a National Monument. It is located in the Lava Beds visitor center.
Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 6, 2012
5. Mushpot Cave
J.D. Howard plaque is located near the entrance to Mushpot Cave
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 26, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
