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Researcher Seeks Help
| Gerald Elfendahl, Historian 7823 Westerly Lane NE Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 (206) 842-4164 gelfenda@earthlink.net May 12, 2004 Dear FFLA Members, Lookout Historians, Lookouts, SUBJECT: SEARCH FOR OBSERVATIONS OF JULY 16, 1928 METEOR I am an Historian for a research team studying a METEOR believed to have splashed down within PUGET SOUND at 12:18 AM, Monday, JULY 16, 1928. Study requires all observations possible as it streaked across the skies between central and western regions of OREGON AND WASHINGTON. We are seeking rangers or forest fire lookouts-- they'd have to be in their 90's!-- their diaries, log books, and any other information about this event. Do any FIRE LOOKOUT LOG BOOKS for JULY 16, 1928 survive for lookouts and observation stations these National Forests: Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA; Snoqualmie-Mt. Baker National Forest, WA; Wenatchee National Forest, WA; Olympic National Forest, WA; Willamette National Forest, OR; Mt. Hood National Forest, OR; Winema National Forest, OR; Rogue River National Forest, OR; or from any WA & OR State Forests or National Parks I may have missed for 1928. I've been told they don't exist at National Archives (NA) in Seattle. I am reviewing historic resources of NA in Maryland. However, as a longtime local historian (references on request), I know that often old historic records find their way back home thanks to families of retired former employees and sometimes also find their way to local caretakers and museums. QUESTIONS: Know any surviving lookout personnel from 1928? Do any WA & OR diaries or log books from summer 1928 survive anywhere? Do any of your colleagues know of any? A fireball so brilliant that it "turned nightinto day" for several seconds and roared low across mountains and forests leaving a trail of sparks and heat would have been noted in a log, same as lightning strikes. Observers may have been up a night. They we warned of electrical storms near Mt. Rainier. There were forest fires on the west coast at that time and night viewing is easier than day viewing to spot fires. I welcome your thoughts on the best way to review this information if it is available, and any thoughts on other possible historic observation resources. We are exhausting numerous other historic resources. Can we check off National Forest's lookout logs from our list? Please acknowledge receipt. Thank you! All best, respectfully, Gerald Elfendahl PS: You can learn more about the project in the Battle Point Astronomical Association May/June Newsletter at: http://bicomnet.com/ritchieobs/ PPS My grandfather oversaw construction of several CCC-built forest lookouts. in WA-- Blynn Mt., Green Mt., and one near Colville. |