Loomis Vistor Center, Bldg. 43
Also known as: Mac Loomis Memorial Musuem; Manzanita Lake Vistor Center; Manz
Why it's listed
Built of gray native volcanic rock in cut-face random ashlar, this one-story museum at Manzanita Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park has crenelated, fortress-like parapets, a T-shaped plan, a terrace with a low stone wall, and a green tile shed roof on wood brackets. A matching seismograph station stands about fifteen yards northeast. Benjamin Franklin Loomis, a Shasta County shake maker, storekeeper and amateur photographer, began construction in 1926 with his wife. He had photographed the 1914-1915 eruptions of Mount Lassen, and the museum was dedicated in 1927 in memory of their daughter Luisa Mae. It displayed eruption photographs, geological specimens and artifacts of Indians, emigrants and pioneers. In 1929 Loomis deeded the buildings and forty acres to the National Park Service, which used the museum as a visitor center. Its photograph collection has aided scientists. The site lies near the Chaos Jumbles, where a 1970 study found a high risk of another rockfall, and the facilities were closed in 1974.
Significance in brief: The museum has been the focal point for visitor information in the park since 1927. It holds the Loomis collection of photographs of the Lassen eruptions, which have aided scientists. The nomination rates it as locally significant (Third Order) because of its builder, B.F. Loomis, and his photographic record.
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 75000177, listed February 25, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Lassen Volcanic National Park, Manzanita Lake |
|---|---|
| County | Shasta County |
| Listed | February 25, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000177 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1926-1974 |
| Architect / builder | Benjamin Franklin Loomis and his wife (builders of the museum) |
| Areas of significance | Education, Science |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, but closed to the public since 1974 because of rockfall risk; planning for its preservation was still in process. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.53599, -121.56332 (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 75000177.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6675603
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.