Crane Flat Fire Lookout
Also known as: Building 6202
Why it's listed
Perched on a knoll near Crane Flat in Yosemite National Park, this two-story fire lookout sits at about 6,600 feet and offers a panoramic view. Its first story, eighteen feet square, was built as a garage and now stores equipment. Above it, a fourteen-foot-square glass-walled observatory holds the original cast iron stove and fire finder. The building has a granite foundation, lap and shingle siding, a surrounding catwalk and an overhanging hipped roof. It was designed by the National Park Service Landscape Division, with John Wosky planning the site. Completed in 1933, it was the first fire lookout the Park Service built in Yosemite and grew out of a fire protection plan developed with John D. Coffman. It is also an excellent example of Rustic design, using native stone and timber to blend with its setting, and was featured in a 1932 portfolio of model park structures. A 1977 shed addition is slated for removal. The lookout remains in use today.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is locally significant in conservation and architecture. It was the first fire lookout built by the National Park Service in Yosemite and illustrates the development of federal fire policy. It is also an early, excellent example of NPS Rustic design and was included in a 1932 portfolio of representative park structures.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 96000354, listed April 4, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Big Oak Flat Rd., near Crane Cr., Yosemite National Park, Aspen Valley |
|---|---|
| County | Mariposa County |
| Listed | April 4, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000354 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1931 |
| Architect / builder | National Park Service Landscape Division; Wosky, John, landscape architect |
| Architectural style | OTHER/Rustic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Conservation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a fire lookout and as a base for helitack crews; restoration is planned, including removal of a 1977 addition and lean-to. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.75952, -119.82032 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 96000354.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5182018
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.