With only minor topographical prominence the peak is not naturally noticeable from a distance, although it is easily identifiable due to the large number of antennas near its summit.

The newer CHARA Array, run by Georgia State University, is also sited there and does important interferometric stellar research.

Mount Wilson is also heavily utilized for relay broadcasting of radio and television for the Greater Los Angeles Area.

The native inhabitants of the San Gabriels probably belonged to various tribes of the Tongva people who lived in the low-lying valleys.

Granite outcroppings along the Angeles Crest show signs of meal preparations with metate pots ground into rock surfaces.

Wilson hoped to find a suitable wood for his casks but was disappointed by the poor quality of trees on the mountain.

Despite Wilson's inability to find adequate wood, the hike became a popular pastime for locals who would make a weekend trip to the summit.

[citation needed] In 1889, Professor William Pickering of Harvard University, along with telescope-maker Alvan Clark, prepared an experiment with 4-and-13-inch (102 and 330 mm) telescopes at Mount Wilson.

University students would operate the telescopes for nighttime viewing, but more often than not they would log in "bad weather, no visibility" and head to town to relieve their boredom.

At the same time, land and easement disputes between camp owners Steils and Strain were going on over the public and private use of the Mount Wilson Trail.

The property is now the home of numerous transmitters serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area and includes radio, television and microwave relay facilities.

The FM broadcasters are KPCC-FM 89.3, KPFK-FM 90.7, KUSC-FM 91.5, KRRL-FM 92.3, KCBS-FM 93.1, KLLI-FM 93.9, KTWV 94.7, KLOS-FM 95.5, KNX-FM 97.1, KKLA-FM 99.5, KKLQ-FM 100.3, KRTH-FM 101.1, KSCA-FM 101.9, KIIS-FM 102.7, KOST-FM 103.5, KBIG-FM 104.3, KKGO-FM 105.1, KPWR-FM 105.9, and KLVE-FM 107.5.

In 1984, the Carnegie Institution for Science began the process of shutting down the observatories on Mount Wilson, opting to concentrate on newer sites in Chile.

[citation needed] Construction began in 1996 for six 1-meter telescopes by the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy at Georgia State University.