Frederick Gordon Plummer

In 1899, Fred Plummer, a United States Geological Survey engineer, completed the first comprehensive survey and mapping of the Mount Rainier Forest Reserve. Plummer’s report, published in 1900, includes the first detailed descriptions of forest types and conditions, hydrology, fire history, and grazing in the area that would eventually become the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

He was also the first to ascend Goat Rocks, 8184 ft, near White Pass in 1899.

According to the 1900 census, Fred and Emily were living with her mother, Emily C. Garretson on Division Street in Tacoma, WA. Their children at that time were: Helen- 9, Marion- 7, and Emily B- 4.

Fred Gordon Plummer, his wife Emily, and children, including Marian (b. 1893), moved from Tacoma, Wash., to the Theosophical community Lomaland at Point Loma, Calif., in 1903. Fred G. Plummer, a Theosophist, became chief geographer of the United States Forestry Service and a leader in the conservation movement before his death in 1913. His son, Lafayette Gordon Plummer, became a Theosophical writer, lecturer, and teacher. His daughter, Helen Plummer, married Iverson Harris, Theosophical Society leader Katherine Tingley's secretary, and she became Tingley's traveling companion. Marian Plummer studied art at the Theosophical Institute. She met artist Leonard Lester there around 1916, and they were married in 1931.

Photographic prints, papers, and scrapbooks related to the Plummer family and their involvement in Theosophy, chiefly Marian Plummer Lester, her brother L. Gordon Plummer, and her father Fred G. Plummer. Loose photographs show Marian and her husband artist Leonard Lester, some depicting her in Theosophical Society open-air theatrical productions; Helen Plummer and Iverson Harris's wedding; and L. Gordon Plummer as a boy dressed in Raja-Yoga School uniform [ca. 1910]. Other L. Gordon Plummer items include letters and postcards written during a trip to Europe [1947-1948]. Other loose photographs by San Diego photographer Carl O. Retsloff, mostly used for postcards, include some retouched by Marian Plummer Lester when she worked for Retsloff. Scrapbook created by Emily Plummer includes family snapshots, letters, drawings, clippings, ephemera, and Theosophical Society items, including Christmas greetings from Katherine Tingley. Another scrapbook and other items document the work and death of Fred G. Plummer. Of special note, a Theosophical Society pamphlet by Fred G. Plummer, The Last Change of the Earth's Axis .

Created by Marian Plummer Lester's mother Emily R. Plummer. Contains 37 photographic prints, clippings, letters, and ephemera related to the Plummer family and the Theosophical Society. Includes images of Emily R. Plummer's father, husband, and children [from oldest to youngest, Helen, Marian, Beth, and twins Gertrude and L. Gordon]; drawings; correspondence; articles by L. Gordon Plummer and Emily R. Plummer published in the Theosophical Forum ; Christmas greetings from Katherine Tingley and others; quotations by Theosophical Society leaders typed on cards; Theosophical Society programs; and other items. Marian Plummer Lester dismantled and removed parts of the scrapbook to give to her sister Beth. Also includes a leaf with family snapshots evidently removed from another album. 



Folder 7 
OP 17120/68-70 
Loose items chiefly related to Fred G. Plummer, his work and involvement with the Theosophical Society. Includes two albumen photographic prints and one cyanotype [ca. 1890s], clippings, letters, ephemera, and pamphlets. Of special note, a Theosophical Society publication The Last Change of the Earth's Axis by Fred G. Plummer, and a paper “Coincidences?” written by Fred G. Plummer and his wife Emily R. Plummer describing improbable occurrences in their lives. Also, contains letters by Gertrude Plummer to “Mriga,” Marian Plummer Lester's nickname, discussing disposition of their father's papers. 


Plummer Peak is an easy dayhike in the Tatoosh range of Mt Rainier National Park that has big rewards for little effort. Locate the trailhead across the road from Reflection Lakes. The Pinnacle Saddle Trail climbs easily along a beautiful trail that starts in cool forest and in less than a mile begins to open up to views of Mt Rainier. At 1.3 miles the maintained trail reaches the saddle between Pinnacle Peak and Plummer Peak. From the saddle find the path that continues southwest up the slopes of Plummer Peak. This is mostly a walk up except for the final 30 feet which will require hands to scramble up through some trees. From the summit, one can see Mt Adams, Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, the Goat Rocks, Mt Rainier, and of course the rest of the Tatoosh range. Take an ice axe if you go early or late in the season when snow still covers the slopes. The peak is named for Fred G. Plummer of Tacoma. In 1899, Fred Plummer, a United States Geological Survey engineer, completed the first comprehensive survey and mapping of the Mount Rainier Forest Reserve. He was one of several local enthusiatic supporters who advocated for the establishment of Mt. Rainier National Park in the late 1800's and later suggested that a road from the southwest corner of the park to Paradise Park be built

Elevation (feet): 6370

Elevation (meters): 1942

Continent: North America

Country: United States

Range/Region: Pacific Ranges

SubRange: Cascade Range

State: Washington

Latitude: 46.75371111635808

Longitude: -121.73963069915771

Difficulty: Scramble

Best months for climbing: July, August, September, October

He died at age 48 years, 10 months, and 11 days according to the family Bible.