ARIZONA LOOKOUTS
MONTE VISTA
Cochise County
Coronado National Fores
Coronado National Fores
September 17, 1922: "Bids are being called for by the local headquarters of the forest service for the construction of a forty-foot steel lookout tower which is to be built on Monte Vista peak in the Chiracahua mountains, construction work to be started within next 30 days. Hugh G. Calkins supervisor of the Coronado National forest, with offices here, declared this morning that the new construction is planned to be used throughout the entire Coronado forest and that decision was reached to install the all steel towers in preference to the wooden towers as an economical move.
The new tower will be built on a base of 12 feet, each girder post imbedded in heavy concrete and the tower tapered to a seven foot square pinnacle on which will be constructed a weather proof, all steel and glass house. The whole will be made more solid by heavy steel cables as guide lines and when completed will stand for the for the last word in lookout tower construction. The house that tops the tower will be equipped with table, chairs, phone and all other equipment needed by the fire lookout stationed there." (Tombstone Epitaph)
The new tower will be built on a base of 12 feet, each girder post imbedded in heavy concrete and the tower tapered to a seven foot square pinnacle on which will be constructed a weather proof, all steel and glass house. The whole will be made more solid by heavy steel cables as guide lines and when completed will stand for the for the last word in lookout tower construction. The house that tops the tower will be equipped with table, chairs, phone and all other equipment needed by the fire lookout stationed there." (Tombstone Epitaph)
August 14, 1925: "A trail crew of five men is at work on the trail from Turkey creek to Monte Vista lookout and the progress being made there is also called good by the forester. The trail to the lookout will be mainly for the purpose of aiding in the work of fire control in the Chiricahuas, which is considered one of the most dangerous ranges of mountains in the Coronado reserve from a standpoint of fire hazard." (Arizona Daily Star)
June 28, 1929: "A.T. Johnson, lookout at Monte Vista in the Chiricahua mountains for the U.S. Forest Service, will celebrate his eleventh year and his birthday at that point June 30. He is more than 50 years old.
Eleven years ago Johnson was assigned to the Monte Vista lookout tower, and since that time has had varied experiences on his lone vigil. He is in a region which abounds with much wild game, wildcats, lion, coyotes, deer and bear, with an occasional spotted leopard visiting from Mexico. The lookout point was twice struck by lightning.
When Johnson is off duty he attends to a small ranch in the nearby foothills." (Arizona Daily Star)
August 9, 1943: "For the last four months Mrs. Barbara Falen has kept her solitary vigil for 10 hours a day and often through the night, with no one to keep her company in the little glass tower, seven by seven feet and 40 feet above the ground at an elevation well over 9,000 feet. The Monte Vista lookout station is atop one of the highest peaks of the lonely Chiricahua mountains and as our woman guardian sat through electrical storms, rain and fires, she has only a pair of binoculars, a tall chair, and a map board to keep her company as she scanned the western yellow pine forest for a radius of miles." (Tucson Daily Citizen)
August 9, 1943: "For the last four months Mrs. Barbara Falen has kept her solitary vigil for 10 hours a day and often through the night, with no one to keep her company in the little glass tower, seven by seven feet and 40 feet above the ground at an elevation well over 9,000 feet. The Monte Vista lookout station is atop one of the highest peaks of the lonely Chiricahua mountains and as our woman guardian sat through electrical storms, rain and fires, she has only a pair of binoculars, a tall chair, and a map board to keep her company as she scanned the western yellow pine forest for a radius of miles." (Tucson Daily Citizen)
June 28, 1956: "North of Douglas, more than 600 acres of brush and timber in the Chiricahua Mountains were ablaze.
A stiff wind fanned the blaze during the night, and ranger frank Jackson called for extra crews to augment the 400 men on the fire lines. Fifty more Indian fire fighting experts were rushed from New Mexico, and 100 soldiers from Fort Huachuca also were on the lines.
Jackson used helicopters to survey the blaze the only serious one of 30 caused by lightning in the Coronado forest.
The fire destroyed the Monte Vista lookout station, a forest service cabin and a corral and burned out phone communications." (Prescott Evening Courier)
1988: National Register of Historical Places: "Monte Vista Lookout Cabin (added 1988 - - #87002468)
1988: National Register of Historical Places: "Monte Vista Lookout Cabin (added 1988 - - #87002468)