Pear Lake Ski Hut
Also known as: Pear Lake Ranger Station; Building #204
Why it's listed
Pear Lake Ski Hut is a stone masonry shelter in Sequoia National Park, set on a granite hillside near timberline at 9,200 feet, north of Mineral King. Built between 1939 and 1941, it measures 17 by 30 feet and has a steeply pitched shake roof carried on log rafters and brackets. Its battered walls of irregular native granite make it seem to rise from the bedrock. Inside, a large room serves for sleeping and cooking, with a rear storage space and a chemical toilet closet. The hut is considered a leading example of National Park Service rustic architecture, which sought harmony between buildings and their surroundings. Local pine logs, unpainted lumber and oversized side windows helped the building blend into the alpine setting and look smaller than it is. Enrollees of the Buckeye Civilian Conservation Corps camp did the construction by hand, and the hut serves as a memorial to that program. A park ranger uses it in summer, and ski tourers use it in winter.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance in architecture and social/humanitarian history. It is described as one of the most environmentally successful alpine structures designed by the National Park Service, and it was built by Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees from the Buckeye camp.
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 78000285, listed May 5, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Mineral King on Sequioa National Park, Mineral King |
|---|---|
| County | Tulare County |
| Listed | May 5, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000285 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1939-41 |
| Architect / builder | National Park Service |
| Architectural style | National Park Service rustic architecture |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and not significantly altered; occupied by a park ranger in summer and open to ski touring parties in winter. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 36.60807, -118.67173 (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 78000285.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7157965
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.