BLACK MOUNTAIN (Big Horn)
Sheridan County - Big Horn National Forest
October 23, 1938: "J.F. Connor, supervisor of the Big Horn National Forest announced that a new fire lookout station will be built on Black mountain to provide a better check on the west side of the Big Horns. It will replace the old station atop Lookout mountain." (Casper Star-Tribune)
April 30, 1940: "The coming summer months will see Black Mountain Lookout completed." (History of the Bighorn National Forest)
July 27, 1940: "Foreman Jack Young with 25 men and one leader is working on the Black Mountain Lookout. He has completed the interior carpenter work, staining, chinking, etc., and is building a rock walk or ramp up to the entrance of the building. It is expected that Lookout Shoemaker will move into the building this week and although it will not be entirely completed until about August 7." (CCC Camp F-3-W, Tongue River, Inspection)
October 15, 1940: "Black Mountain Lookout was completed but not inspected because it was already checked by Messrs. A.A. Brown and Lobdell." (CCC Camp F-3-W, Tongue River, inspection, October 3-9, 1940)
July 30, 1947: "Lookout Keith Hasbrouck called me at 10:35 A.M. today and said there was smoke at Radius 216 from the Black Mountain Lookout, the distance is approximately 13 miles southwest of the lookout and he estimates the fire to be in Granite Pass. The smoke is coming from the bottom of the valley, therefore, he cannot see the base of the smoke. There is not much smoke (white) but he said that it was getting bigger.
He reported this to Ranger Dickson at 9:50 A.M., who is taking action. Mrs. Parks was in telephonic conversation with Ranger Dickson and she said that there was lightning in that area a couple of days ago.
No action is being taken at this office until we hear from either Ranger Dickson or Mrs. Parks.
P.S. 11:55 A.M. - Ranger Dickson called and said there was no fire but that it was dust from a rock crusher. He said he scouted the whole country and was unable to find anything. He called Mrs. parks and told her the same thing." (Memorandum for the Record from Glenn O. Austin)
November 20, 1956: 134 visitors were reported by the lookout this season. (Memo to the Regional Forester)
November 15, 1957: 140 visitors were reported at the Black Mountain Lookout this season. (Memo to Regional Forester)
November 18, 1958: "There were approximately 80 visits to the Black Mountain Lookout during 1958. This figure is purely an estimate, since the register was not removed this fall." (Memo to Forest Supervisor from Tongue District Ranger)