Echo Mtn. Echoes Fall 1996, a magazine of Southern California history in general and Thaddeus Lowe and his mountain railway in particular

<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000" link="#0000FF" vlink="#800080" alink="#FF0000"> <p>This site is best viewed with a frames enabled browser. </p> <p align="center"><img src="http://aaaim.com/echo/echo.jpg" alt="Echo Mtn. Echoes, a magazine of southern California history and collectables, especially about Mount Lowe and Thaddeus Lowe's Mountain Railway featuring many old historic photographs, stories, and biographies of the communities of the San Gabriel Mountains and valley from the 1890's on. Pictorial and editorial information about historic Echo Mountain and Mount Lowe in the Angeles National Forest area of the San Gabriel mountains of Southern California, just above Altadena in the Los Angeles foothills, including articles, historic photographs, history, biographies, and events related to Thaddeus Lowe's mountain railway. mount, Mount Lowe, Mount Lowe Railway, Mount Lowe Railroad, history, railway, railway history, railraod, railroad history, i ncline, incline railroad, Altadena, Altadena history, southern california, southern california history, San Gabriel, San Gabriel Valley, San Gabriel Valley history, Millard, Millard Canyon, Thaddeus, Thaddeus Lowe, Pasadena, Pasadena history, California, California history, California history railroads, California history railways, Pacific, Pacific Electric, Pacific Electric Railway, red, red cars, trolley, 1890s, turn of the century, photographs, old photographs, historic photographs, collectables, collectibles, spoons, stamps, postcards, post cards, antique, antique postcards, biography, Brown, Brown Mountain, camp, camping, collector, culture, cultural heritage, heritage, Dawn, Dawn Mine, mine, gold, gold mine, gold mining, East, East Fork, Echo Mountain, Inspiration, Inspiration Point, foothill, foothills, forest, founders, settler, settlers, Eaton, glen, granite, hike, hiking, hiking southern california, hiking San Gabriels, hiking Angeles, hotel, memorabilia, Baldy, Wilson, resorts, nature, nostalgia, nostalgic, observatory, old, outdoor, peak, picture, photo, photos, photo tour, river, riparian, tree, trail, vacation, valley, walking, walking era, water, waterfall, West, West Fork, 1900, azusa, Angeles, Angeles Forest, beauty, souvenir, rubio, seco, glen, arroyo" border="1" WIDTH="204" HEIGHT="82"><br> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5"><strong>Looking back at Mount Lowe's searchlight</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><img src="ces2.jpg" align="right" border="1" hspace="5" width="293" height="200">Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe pretty much got what he wanted when he had the money. Ferris wheels were a big attraction of the day and if he had wanted a Ferris wheel he would have it and don't you forget it. But Thad had something much better and that was Mt. Lowe.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">California's largest tourist attraction of the day was his. An incline railroad, hotels, and an observatory were all under his command.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Professor Lowe as he was affectionately known, first saw his next mountain top attraction in Chicago at The Worlds Columbian Exposition of 1893. He and George Wharton James went to the Exposition on the shores of Lake Michigan to stimulate bond sales.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">In this "White City- The City of Aladdin's Palaces" as it was called, the professor witnessed the newest and most magical wonders the world had to offer. Among them was an item Thaddeus had to own. It was a giant searchlight the likes of which the world had not seen before.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">The searchlight was built by General Electric to rival the German made Schuckert searchlight. The total weight of the searchlight was 6,000 pounds. The lamp itself was 5 feet in diameter and weighed in at 400 pounds. The reflector which was furnished and polished by Alvan Clark weighed 700 pounds. This wonderful piece of modern technology danced beams of light across the skies of the great Exposition until it was packed up and sent to California. It's first stop was at the Midwinter Fair in San Francisco and then it was boxed up and shipped to Mt. Lowe.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">The great searchlight arrived in Pasadena August 6, 1894 and was eventually to be perched atop Mt. Lowe at 6,000 feet above sea level where it would be the highest light of its size in the world.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">By the 15th the light was on Echo Mt., at the Professors own "White City." Its temporary home was to be a platform just below the powerhouse. There the 3,000,000 candlepower searchlight would be able to dance its powerful beam across the width and breadth of the great city below.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">The construction and wiring took weeks to finish. The great lamp would require a 50 horsepower engine to operate its powerful rays. Electricity was furnished by a Pelton Water wheel which was placed in Rubio Canyon. This water wheel also provided electricity for the hotels and auxiliary power for the Incline.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Finally on September 10, 1894 the great searchlight was tried for the first time.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">The great rays of the proclaimed worlds largest searchlight beamed across the roof tops and into the yards of nearly every home in its view.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Word has it that a person could read a newspaper on Catalina Island with just the illumination of the searchlight.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">The light bounced from the island readers to the ocean waves spying out ships at sea.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Some people marveled at its beauty and others cursed it. Local Pasadena boys had to quickly find new hugging spots as the spot light invaded their romantic interludes.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Picture in you own mind the state of the world in 1894, peaceful evenings at home perhaps reading a book of the day when suddenly a great beam of light burst into your home to scare you and your pets half to death.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">On the other hand its rays reflected every color of the rainbow upon the clouds above our city providing a spectacular light show that today's concert promoters would be envious of.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">By the 15th of September it was a known fact that if you wanted to attract the attention of the great searchlight all you had to do was start a signal fire. It was recommended that you use read or some colored burning fire as the many brush fires in the valley made it hard to tell the signal fires. Once the attendant at the searchlight spotted such a signal fire he would whip the perfectly balanced searchlights base in the direction of the fire to the delight of its owner.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">I think that even in 1996 the sight of a great search light on Echo Mountain or Mount Lowe would be a wonderful thing to behold. I understand that some of the original parts of the light have recently been found. More to follow in future issues.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">By Jake Brouwer</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5"><strong>Observations from above</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Did you ever get to see the city from a place of any height? It will totally give you another perspective on the place you live.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">When Thaddeus Lowe was growing up he lived in Jefferson Mills, New Hampshire surrounded by mountains. Young Thad thought that having a mountain named after you was the highest tribute a man could get. He spent a lot of time in the mountains observing the valley below.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">As the young lad was growing his interest in balloons and flying became foremost in his mind.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">In one of his early experiments Thad built a monster <a href="http://www.niagara.com/~dru/history.html" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.niagara.com/~dru/history.html")">kite</a> within which he placed a lantern and an unfortunate tom cat. The incident was referred to later as an 'unusual changeable light' seen over Hingham Centre. Sounds like an early <a href="http://www.yelmtel.com/~mrwizard/wizardUFO.HTM" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.yelmtel.com/~mrwizard/wizardUFO.HTM")">UFO</a> hoax to me.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">By the time the Civil War had started Thaddeus Lowe was one of the countries foremost balloonists. His observations above the lines of enemy troops most certainly helped in the effort to win the war.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">After the war Thaddeus moved to Southern California and got involved with yet another lofty project, the Pasadena and Mt. Wilson Railroad.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Eventually the railroad and Mt. Lowe were named after him. From the hotels to inspiration point Lowe treated the world to a place to observe the world below from his favorite vantage point up in the clouds.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">By Jake Brouwer</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5"><strong>Dr. Edgar Larkin, Astronomer</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Doctor Edgar Lucien Larkin was appointed to the position of director of the Mt. Lowe Observatory in August 1900. He was replacing the nearly blind Dr. Swift who was eighty years old. Dr. Swift was well known for his discoveries of comets and nebulae and he brought great attention to the <a href="http://www.sipe.com/oldgo.htm" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.sipe.com/oldgo.htm")">observatory</a>.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Dr. Larkin's approach was a bit different but in holding with Professor Lowe's ultimate dream of a scientific institute on the mountain. Dr. Larkin pushed the idea of the observatory being an informative, educational, and entertaining attraction to the many visitors from the world below.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">After the fires on Echo Mountain the observatory was one of the last attractions at the top of the incline. Saturday, Sunday, and holiday evenings were set aside by the Dr. for free astronomical lectures and a chance for patrons to look through the great telescope. On other evenings the observatory was available to schools and private parties through special arrangements of the Traffic department of Pacific Electric.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">When Larkin was director of the observatory the Pacific Electric Railroad was in full control of the activities on the mountain. In fact Dr. Larkin was employed by Pacific Electric making him the worlds only <a href="http://bradley.bradley.edu/~dware/astro24.html" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://bradley.bradley.edu/~dware/astro24.html")">astronomer</a> employed by a traction railroad.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Pacific Electric promoted the observatory very well and even put out a handsome folder which brought heavy crowds to hear the lectures.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Dr. Larkin was a man of many interests. He was interested in the occult and two sunken continents, <a href="http://www.explorenet.com/atlantis.html" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.explorenet.com/atlantis.html")">Atlantis</a> and <a href="http://www.explorenet.com/muchurch.html" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.explorenet.com/muchurch.html")">Mu</a>, in the Pacific. Dr. Larkin was very down on astrology as many visitors soon found out upon inquiring about the subject.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">The Dr. wrote a book around 1914 titled "Within the Mind Maze" described by him as a book of creative thought. It sold for $1.25 back then an the Dr. suggested it to all who corresponded with him.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">The Dr. was loved by many. One of his best friends was Charles Lawrence the photographer. During the doctors last years Lawrence became his assistant at the observatory.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">In 1924 Dr. Edgar Lucien Larkin died. His wish was to be buried on the mountain which had been his home for 20 years. His son Ralph Larkin from Claremont was an ordained minister and asked Lawrence to acompany him to a little promontory near Inspiration Point. It was there the tow men scattered the cremated remains of Dr. Larkin on his beloved mountain.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">By Jake Brouwer</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Land-Sea Discovery Group wants to obtain a copy of the book "Within the Minds Maze" by Edgar Lucien Larkin or circulars about the book. Photos, pamphlets, and information wanted on the observatory and its directors Swift, Larkin, and Lawrence.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">CONTACT </font>Land~Sea Discovery Group, PO Box 401904, Hesperia, Ca. 92340</p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5"><strong>Current news of ECHO MTN. ECHOES readers</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">As I've mentioned in previous issues, we want to hear from you regarding your Mt. Lowe experiences. Drop Land-Sea Discovery Group a line and keep us posted.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><img src="lsdg03.jpg" align="right" border="1" hspace="10" width="270" height="200"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong>Paul Rippens</strong> informed me that upon his retirement in April he received as a gift a certificate of deposit dated 4/1/1896 signed by T.S.C. Lowe. What a great gift for a Mt. Lowe collector. Paul is also looking for items on Wm. Mulholland and the LA Aqueduct.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong>Jake Brouwer</strong> would like to thank the people who sent in orders and support for the Echo Mtn. Echoes. Thanks to Paul, Edna, Ron, Chuck, Elizabeth, Paul A., and Wild Bill.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong>Paul Ayers</strong> is doing some interesting research on the trails of Echo Mt. He is willing to share his information and maps. He is also working on the searchlight. See the classified ads for shirts Paul has for sale.</font></p> <p align="left"><img src="lsdg04.jpg" align="left" border="1" hspace="10" width="275" height="200"></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong>June 29, 1996</strong> On a clear day you can see <a href="http://www.catalina.org/photo/1.htm" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.catalina.org/photo/1.htm")">Catalina</a> they say. Well this was the day. It was a record breaking 98 degrees that day but crystal clear at Inspiration Point. The volunteers that day built a small retaining wall, brought foundation pillars into position, unloaded roofing shingles, and put an edging material on the roof.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">The newly covered shelter was visited by some <a href="http://www.altadena.net/pmbc/" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.altadena.net/pmbc/")">cyclists</a> and hikers that enjoyed a brief rest in the shade it provided. One of the hikers was a safety consultant and happily told us that though our methods were unorthodox, we had done a fine job.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><img src="lsdg05.jpg" align="right" border="1" hspace="10" width="280" height="200"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong>July 13, 1996</strong> A group of volunteers went up to Inspiration Point around 6:30 AM to start putting the shingles on the roof of the structure. John, Brina, Lee, Scott, Bill, Robert, Jake, Paul, Silky, and a few others were in attendance.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">This was an extremely hot day and the fellas that worked the roof really felt it. My hat is off to those guys that really get in there and work. You know who you are.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">A Star News team came up around eleven and took notes and pictures of the activities. Silky also took some movie film of the days events.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong>July 15, 1996</strong> I just received notice an article titled "Observations From Above" by Jake Brouwer is to be published by Treasure Seekers Magazine in the Oct. issue. It is about Prof. Lowe's Civil War Exploits. To receive a photo copy of this and Jake's Dawn Mine story send a stamp to cover copying in a SASE to LSDG's address.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><img src="lsdg06.jpg" align="left" border="1" hspace="10" width="277" height="200"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong>July 27, 1996</strong> The Inspiration Point Ramada was completed according to a letter I received from Paul Ayers. Everyone will be looking forward to enjoying the shade of the Ramada after their exhausting hikes up the mountain. Look for a celebration sometime in late Nov.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">By Jake Brouwer</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5"><strong>Echo Mtn. Menagerie</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><a href="http://www.lazoo.org/" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.lazoo.org/")">Zoo</a>. Yes, that would be a nice touch thought the Professor. Show the tourists some of the native fauna that lived in close proximity to the luxurious hotels on Echo Mountain. Thought then became reality as Professor Lowe proceeded to build a number of cages in the face of Echo Mountain facing the valley below.<br> <br> The cage walls were white and the floors were cement with a bathing tank cemented into the floor of each compartment. They were built for the comfort and health of the animals they were to contain. Rows of bars extended the full height of the cage giving the observer a full view of the occupant inside. Bars were also on the back side of the cage to afford the animals better ventilation.<br> <br> In the first cage were civit cats. A curious nocturnal animal with long tail, nose, and body. In a cage under the cats was a Cayman or alligator. Next to the cats is "Jocko" the monkey who hugs himself often and sometimes runs loose amongst the tourists creating mini disasters. The next cage housed "Little Dick" a pet squirrel and "Lenore" the speaking raven. Under this cage was the home of a finespecim broad backed badger. The very next cage was home for two great horned owls. Then there were a golden eagle, a bald headed eagle, a chicken hawk, and a vulture. Four adorable coons were in the next cage featuring "Zip", :Kitty", and their two children. Then there were four silver grey foxes and following them two savage lynxes. The last two cages held respectively two Santa Catalina goats and two fawns.<br> <br> Last but surely not least was the home of "Ursa Minor" the bear. She had a cage and pit all to herself. Sometimes as many as fifty people would gather around the cage to watch the bears antics. The year old Musquard species bear had a huge tub of water which was change 2-3 times a day and often she would dump the tub just to get attention. The bears keeper at one point was Al Reader who often jumped into the cage and wrestled with the bear to the delight of the crowd. George Wharton James also took time out of his busy schedule at times to wrestle with "Ursa Minor."<br> <br> The zoological gardens also had a large assortment of <a href="http://www.lazoo.org/reptiles.htm" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.lazoo.org/reptiles.htm")">reptiles</a> of which the rattlesnakes were the main attraction. Folks would poke and prod with sticks, canes, and arms until the fury of the snakes were aroused.<br> <br> By Jake Brouwer</font></p> <p>Mt. Lowe Trivia Test<br> Test your knowledge by answering these multiple choice questions. <br> 1. Which was not a name on an incline car? A)Rubio B)Lowe C)Pacific Electic D)Echo <br> 2. Filling the job of photographer for the Railroad on Mt. Lowe was? A)Larkin B)Lowe C)Lee D)Lawrence <br> 3. The OM&M Railroad's power source was? A)Electric B)Gas C)Herbert D)Pelton water wheel <br> 4. What attraction was not found on Mt. Lowe? A)Tennis courts B)Ferris Wheel C)Zoo D)Telescope<br> 5. The grade of the Incline reached? A)65% B)62% C)68% D)66% <br> 6. Lowe's wife's name was? A)Leontine B)Zoe C)Louise D)Blanche <br> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5"><strong>Mt. Lowe Trivia Test<br> Answers</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">1) B</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">2) D</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">3) C</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">4) B</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">5) B</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">6) A</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><br> By Jake Brouwer</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5"><strong>Land-Sea Discovery Group</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3">Land-Sea Discovery Group is dedicated to the rediscovery of America's treasures. From the smallest coin found on land to the richest shipwreck at sea LSDG will show an interest. But, don't be misled into believing that LSDG is naught but a group of treasure hunters. To the group, treasure can in fact be Tiburcio Vasquez's bandit cache, gold on the East Fork of the San Gabriel, a scrap book of old photos, a signed baseball found at a garage sale, or simply the view from Inspiration Point.<br> <br> Everyone has their own treasures and treasure hunts. LSDG's interests are extremely widespread. The group has extensive knowledge of sports collectibles, comic and artwork, music collectibles, postcards, prospecting, and yes, <a href="http://www.losttreasure.com/" target="UrlWindow" onclick="UrlWindowOpener("http://www.losttreasure.com/")">treasure hunting</a>.<br> <br> One day in 1992 while investigating the Dawn Mine Jake Brouwer came upon the story of Mt. Lowe. It has been a passion ever since to collect and find information about Thaddeus Lowe. Jake's newest treasure hunt has lead him to own over 140 different postcards, stacks of photos, spoons, books and other memorabilia about Lowe and the mountain. He has had three articles published about Mt. Lowe and over two dozen more in print about collectibles and treasure hunting.<br> <br> Echo Mtn. Echoes is a way for fans of Mt. Lowe to reach out to each other. Use it to your advantage. Write us your comments. Tell us your news. Place and ad. Ads and purchases will help keep the paper going if you like it. The work that goes into it is a labor of love but the printing and postage costs money.<br> <br> Enjoy,<br> <br> The Editor.<br> <br> </font><font size="4">Land~Sea Discovery Group<br> PO Box 401904<br> Hesperia, Ca. 92340</font><br> <font size="3"><br> WRITTEN & EDITED BY<br> Jake Brouwer<br> Scanning provided by Kevin Lerma<br> Rescanning by AAAIM<br> <br> LAYOUT & PHOTOS PROVIDED BY<br> Land-Sea Discovery Group<br> <br> WEB DESIGN BY<br> Gary Mendes, AAAIM<br> <br> WEB HOSTING & MANAGEMENT BY<br> <a href="http://aaaim.com" target="_new">Triple A Internet Masters</a><br> </font></p> <p align="center">No part of this paper may be reproduced in any form without written permission from: Jake Brouwer<br> All articles and photos were provided by:<br> Land-Sea Discovery Group<br> Copyright © 1997<br> <font size="1">Send email to <a href="mailto:webmaster@aaaim.com?Subject=Problemindex">webmaster@aaaim.com</a> to report any problems.<br> Copyright © 1997 Triple A Internet Masters<br> Last modified: May 11, 1997 </font></p> </body>