Summit Lake Ranger Station
Also known as: Patrol Cabin; Ranger Residence
Why it's listed
Built in 1926 along the new loop road through Lassen Volcanic National Park, this log cabin served as a ranger station and residence. It measures about 20 by 30 feet, with horizontal logs, notched overlapping corners and a cedar-shake gable roof whose ridge sits off-center, giving a longer rear slope. Inside are a living room, two bedrooms and a kitchen, with a stone fireplace and a wood stove for heat and cooking. The building cost $2,000. It was one of the first three buildings put up by the young National Park Service in the park, alongside stations at Warner Valley and Butte Lake, and it was the most centrally located ranger station in the park. An enclosed porch with a shower was added in 1957, and later changes included a plastic skylight section and shortened rafters on the east side. The listing recognizes its link to early park development and recommends preservation, continued use and restoration of its original exterior.
Significance in brief: It was one of the first three buildings erected by the young National Park Service in Lassen Volcanic National Park in 1926, and was either the first or second completed. It was the most centrally located ranger station in the park. Its significance lies in its representation of the park's early development and in conservation.
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 78000296, listed April 3, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Mineral in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral |
|---|---|
| County | Shasta County |
| Listed | April 3, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000296 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1926-Present |
| Areas of significance | Conservation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is marked good; the original cedar shingle roof is described as in poor condition. The form checks both occupied and unoccupied status. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.49815, -121.42804 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 78000296.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7637828
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.