Mount Jackson first hosted a lookout structure in 1928.

The 809R lookout station design, believed exclusive to CDF, came out in 1946. The oldest construction dates are 1947. The following alterations were documented: asphalt composition roofing has been added, the wood fire escape ladder (on the south) has been replaced by a steel ladder and catwalk trap door (added in 1972) (on the west side of the tower), aluminum siding covers the "v" groove lap siding (below the catwalk), aluminum frame sliders have replaced the tower's original 1/1 double hung windows, and the protruding, shed roof (garage door) entry has been removed. The remodeling conforms with later construction practices for this tower type. The building has been vandalized. There are only two (2) older style 20' 809R towers in existence.

Mount Jackson is a flat topped peak surrounded by brush fields interspersed with Madrone, Oak and Fir trees. Structural intermix occurs in the neighboring vicinity. There are communication vaults and towers, and microwave installations near the station. The site is not accessible to the public. The lookout is 1.4 miles from the nearest paved road, one mile behind a locked gate. A 10,000 gallon concrete water storage tank is on-site. (MVT 10/91)

The lookout was intentionally destroyed by fire in 1995 after it was abandoned as a fire detection facility.