Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
West Fork Ranger Station
Old Short Cut
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 24, 2019
1. West Fork Ranger Station Marker
Built in 1900 alongside the West Fork of the San Gabriel River and north of Mt. Wilson, the historic cabin was the first ranger station built in California with federal government funds — $75. In the late 1920's, new roads into the mountains changed both the method of travel into the forest and the choice of main travel routes, leaving the cabin in relative isolation. The cabin was moved in 1983 to protect it from decay and vandalism. (Marker Number 632.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 34° 19.618′ N, 118° 0.368′ W. Marker is in Angeles National Forest, California, in Los Angeles County. Marker can be reached from Angeles Crest Highway (California Route 2) 26 miles north of Interstate 210. The marker is located behind the Chilao Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Moccasin Trail, Palmdale CA 93550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Vetter Mountain Fire Lookout (approx. 2.4 miles away); Cogswell Dam (approx. 6.3 miles away); The Mount Wilson 100 Inch Telescope (approx. 7.6 miles away); The 100-Inch Hooker Telescope
this page online
Regarding West Fork Ranger Station. California Historic Landmark No. 632 — Old Short Cut.
This is California’s first ranger station, built in 1900 by Louie Newcomb and Phillip Begue, early Forest Service men. The cabin took its name from the “Short Cut Canyon Trail,” as the cabin was one of the main stopping points on this trail.
Also see . . . Chilao Visitor Center, and Vetter Lookout. The visitor center is open 10-4 most weekends during the summer, closed in winter. The historic Vetter Mountain Fire Lookout, rebuilt in 2019, is five miles from the Visitor Center. (Submitted on December 2, 2019.)
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 24, 2019
2. West Fork Ranger Station and Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 24, 2019
3. West Fork Ranger Station
Photographed By Craig Baker, November 24, 2019
4. West Fork Ranger Station
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress), circa 1933
5. West Fork Ranger Station
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2019. This page has been viewed 392 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on August 11, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 25, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
