ARIZONA LOOKOUTS
MOUNT UNION
Prescott National Forest
1911: Mount Union first established as a 'constant' lookout.
June 2, 1920: "There was quite a blaze near the railroad track out in the vicinity of Alto last night. It was reported to Forest Ranger Nichols at 5:45 p.m. by the lookout from Mt. Union, and he immediately went to it, getting it under control a few hours later. It burned over about one acre, a destroyed a pile of old ties together with some dead pine stumps. Carelessness on the part of some passenger who threw a cigarette butt from a passing train, into a pile of old ties is thought to have been the cause." (Weekly Journal-Miner)
April 27, 1921: "After about a week spent on the Prescott forest, J.C. Kircher, fire prevention specialist from the Albuquerque office, has approved the plans of Supervisor H.B. Wales for the construction of four lookout towers in the Prescott district. During their inspection trip Kircher and Wales went to the tops of Mount Union, Spruce mountain, Mingus mountain and Table mountain in the Crown King district and have planned that the towers be erected at these points." (Arizona Daily Star)
April 27, 1921: "After about a week spent on the Prescott forest, J.C. Kircher, fire prevention specialist from the Albuquerque office, has approved the plans of Supervisor H.B. Wales for the construction of four lookout towers in the Prescott district. During their inspection trip Kircher and Wales went to the tops of Mount Union, Spruce mountain, Mingus mountain and Table mountain in the Crown King district and have planned that the towers be erected at these points." (Arizona Daily Star)
June 29, 1921: "Robert Munro, assistant supervisor of the Prescott National Forest, yesterday went to Mount Union and to Spruce mountain, to inspect the lookout stations at those places." (Weekly Journal-Miner)
February 1, 1924: "A tower on Mount Union has been completed, but the apparatus for locating smoke and equipment for fire fighting have not yet been installed." (Phoenix Arizona Republican)
July 31, 1924: "A forest fire caused by lightning but resulting in practically no damage was reported to the local forest office this morning north of Mount Union. The lookout at that point, who sent in the report, went to the scene of the blaze and extinguished it." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 31, 1924: "A forest fire caused by lightning but resulting in practically no damage was reported to the local forest office this morning north of Mount Union. The lookout at that point, who sent in the report, went to the scene of the blaze and extinguished it." (Prescott Evening Courier)
August 12, 1924: "William Pratt of the Mt. Union lookout reported the first fire ay 1:35 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Assistant District Forester John Kerr and a couple of fire fighters went to the scene of the flames, which were put out after about half an acre of pine timber had been burned. The blaze occurred in the vicinity where the Pessimists held their picnic Sunday, and officials of the forest office are of the opinion that the flames started from their camp fire." (Prescott Evening Courier)
August 12, 1924: "William Pratt of the Mt. Union lookout reported the first fire ay 1:35 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Assistant District Forester John Kerr and a couple of fire fighters went to the scene of the flames, which were put out after about half an acre of pine timber had been burned. The blaze occurred in the vicinity where the Pessimists held their picnic Sunday, and officials of the forest office are of the opinion that the flames started from their camp fire." (Prescott Evening Courier)
August 18, 1924: "A forest fire on the Coconino reserve, near Apache Maid, was reported to the supervisor's office yesterday afternoon by the Mount Union lookout, it was stated this morning by the Prescott forest officials. The fire still was burning this morning.
No information has been received as to the extent or cause of the flames." (Prescott Evening Courier)
August 18, 1924: "A forest fire on the Coconino reserve, near Apache Maid, was reported to the supervisor's office yesterday afternoon by the Mount Union lookout, it was stated this morning by the Prescott forest officials. The fire still was burning this morning.
No information has been received as to the extent or cause of the flames." (Prescott Evening Courier)
June 8, 1925: "The second forest fire on the Prescott National forest over the week-end was reported yesterday afternoon about 5 o'clock by William Pradt, Mt Union lookout, who went to the scene of the blaze 18 miles west of Simmons in the Walnut Creek district. The cause and extent of the fire, which was brought under control within a couple of hours had not been reported to the local this afternoon." (Prescott Evening Courier)
June 8, 1925: "The second forest fire on the Prescott National forest over the week-end was reported yesterday afternoon about 5 o'clock by William Pradt, Mt Union lookout, who went to the scene of the blaze 18 miles west of Simmons in the Walnut Creek district. The cause and extent of the fire, which was brought under control within a couple of hours had not been reported to the local this afternoon." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 20, 1925: "A forest fire, caused by lightning about four miles southeast of Walker was reported to the local forest office this morning at 10:50 o'clock from the store at Walker.
William Pradt, fire guard at the Mount Union lookout went to the scene of the blaze, but no word had been received from him at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, as to the extent of the outbreak. It is supposed that the damage is light."(Prescott Evening Courier)
July 20, 1925: "A forest fire, caused by lightning about four miles southeast of Walker was reported to the local forest office this morning at 10:50 o'clock from the store at Walker.
William Pradt, fire guard at the Mount Union lookout went to the scene of the blaze, but no word had been received from him at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, as to the extent of the outbreak. It is supposed that the damage is light."(Prescott Evening Courier)
May 23, 1927: "Frank Grubb, Prescott national forest supervisor, and L.J. Putsch assistant, responded to a call at 7 o'clock last night from William Pradt, lookout on Mount Union, to the effect that a forest fire of small size was raging in the general vicinity of where the Groom Creek road cuts off from the Hassayampa trail.
Thorough search, however, failed to reveal a fire." (Prescott Evening Courier)
May 23, 1927: "Frank Grubb, Prescott national forest supervisor, and L.J. Putsch assistant, responded to a call at 7 o'clock last night from William Pradt, lookout on Mount Union, to the effect that a forest fire of small size was raging in the general vicinity of where the Groom Creek road cuts off from the Hassayampa trail.
Thorough search, however, failed to reveal a fire." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 7, 1927: "The first fire was reported at 3:30 p.m. By William Pradt of the Mount Union lookout station to be burning near Porter mountain, west of Spruce mountain, or about three miles south of Thumb Butte." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 7, 1927: "The first fire was reported at 3:30 p.m. By William Pradt of the Mount Union lookout station to be burning near Porter mountain, west of Spruce mountain, or about three miles south of Thumb Butte." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 22, 1927: "The second fire yesterday, reported at 4:30 by long distance telephone from Tower mountain lookout station by T.A. Seely and a few minutes later by Pradt, got a better start than the first one and it was only because Pradt, joined after 7 o'clock by McNelty, worked unceasingly on it that it was controlled. Pradt did not get back to his lookout station till 8 o'clock this morning." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 22, 1927: "The second fire yesterday, reported at 4:30 by long distance telephone from Tower mountain lookout station by T.A. Seely and a few minutes later by Pradt, got a better start than the first one and it was only because Pradt, joined after 7 o'clock by McNelty, worked unceasingly on it that it was controlled. Pradt did not get back to his lookout station till 8 o'clock this morning." (Prescott Evening Courier)
May 26, 1928: "During the electric storm of yesterday a bolt of lightning found lodging in a dead tree in the forest near Crown King and soon thereafter a fire was blazing brightly. However, the keen eyes of the lookout on Mount Union discovered and reported the incipient blaze, and the ranger on the Crown King station, Clifford E. McNulty, hurried to the fire and several hours later reported by telephone that he had succeeded in extinguishing it without outside aid."(Prescott Evening Courier)
May 26, 1928: "During the electric storm of yesterday a bolt of lightning found lodging in a dead tree in the forest near Crown King and soon thereafter a fire was blazing brightly. However, the keen eyes of the lookout on Mount Union discovered and reported the incipient blaze, and the ranger on the Crown King station, Clifford E. McNulty, hurried to the fire and several hours later reported by telephone that he had succeeded in extinguishing it without outside aid."(Prescott Evening Courier)
July 16, 1928: "Mount Union has been kept a primary lookout station for the last several weeks, but today James McGibney was shifted from that station to the one on top of Spruce mountain to relieve Harold Bloomer, who will return to his place at Whipple in order to set up a radio hook-up for the forth coming big Tunney fight." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 16, 1928: "Mount Union has been kept a primary lookout station for the last several weeks, but today James McGibney was shifted from that station to the one on top of Spruce mountain to relieve Harold Bloomer, who will return to his place at Whipple in order to set up a radio hook-up for the forth coming big Tunney fight." (Prescott Evening Courier)
April 29, 1930: "On May 1 Jack Orr is to take up the duties of lookout and fire guard on top of Mount Union. He is the second guard to be stationed thus far this year." (Prescott Evening Courier)
April 29, 1930: "On May 1 Jack Orr is to take up the duties of lookout and fire guard on top of Mount Union. He is the second guard to be stationed thus far this year." (Prescott Evening Courier)
May 23, 1930: "Lookout Jack Orr, stationed on top of Mount Union on the Prescott national forest, extinguished without a great deal of difficulty a small forest fire near the Copper Chief mine, situated in the vicinity of the Chase mine in the Senator district, yesterday afternoon around 4 o'clock.
In reporting the blaze to the forest office here today, Mr. Orr stated that he is of the opinion that the fire was man-caused, or traceable to some to some careless person with a cigarette.
Yesterday also the lookout traced some more smoke that looked suspicious to a miner burning brush and trash."(Prescott Evening Courier)
May 23, 1930: "Lookout Jack Orr, stationed on top of Mount Union on the Prescott national forest, extinguished without a great deal of difficulty a small forest fire near the Copper Chief mine, situated in the vicinity of the Chase mine in the Senator district, yesterday afternoon around 4 o'clock.
In reporting the blaze to the forest office here today, Mr. Orr stated that he is of the opinion that the fire was man-caused, or traceable to some to some careless person with a cigarette.
Yesterday also the lookout traced some more smoke that looked suspicious to a miner burning brush and trash."(Prescott Evening Courier)
July 17, 1930: "A small lightning caused forest fire on what is known as the old Munkittrich ranch, now owned by Floyd Orr, and located on Turkey creek about half way between Crown King and here, was extinguished last night by Lookout Jack Orr of Mt. Union." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 17, 1930: "A small lightning caused forest fire on what is known as the old Munkittrich ranch, now owned by Floyd Orr, and located on Turkey creek about half way between Crown King and here, was extinguished last night by Lookout Jack Orr of Mt. Union." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 22, 1931: "Floyd Orr, lookout on Mount Union, Prescott national forest, extinguished two lightning-caused fires yesterday afternoon and early last night after 'spotting' them from his lookout station." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 22, 1931: "Floyd Orr, lookout on Mount Union, Prescott national forest, extinguished two lightning-caused fires yesterday afternoon and early last night after 'spotting' them from his lookout station." (Prescott Evening Courier)
August 2, 1933: "A new barn has been built at the Spruce mountain lookout station and another barn for the Mount union lookout station is about half done." (Prescott Evening Courier)
September 20, 1933: "Two of the five lookout stations on the Prescott national forest will be modernized with a new type of steel tower, 30 feet in height, it was announced today by Chief Clerk Lyman C. Kiddoo.
One of them will be erected probably by Camp Bucky O'Neill (Groom creek) emergency conservation workers, at the Mount Union station in the near future; the other will go up near Crown King on Tower mountain.
Atop the steel towers will be cabins 12x12 feet in dimension, sufficient in size for permanent living quarters, to obviate the necessity of the lookouts' having to live in a cabin on the ground and climb up and down. The new towers also will make it possible to keep a fire in the cabins in cold weather, which is impossible in the present ones. The sides will be glassed in. Thorough insulation against lightning will be installed. Of more rigid construction than the wooden towers, the new ones of steel will be shaken very little by high winds that howl by on occasions." (Prescott Evening Courier)
September 20, 1933: "Two of the five lookout stations on the Prescott national forest will be modernized with a new type of steel tower, 30 feet in height, it was announced today by Chief Clerk Lyman C. Kiddoo.
One of them will be erected probably by Camp Bucky O'Neill (Groom creek) emergency conservation workers, at the Mount Union station in the near future; the other will go up near Crown King on Tower mountain.
Atop the steel towers will be cabins 12x12 feet in dimension, sufficient in size for permanent living quarters, to obviate the necessity of the lookouts' having to live in a cabin on the ground and climb up and down. The new towers also will make it possible to keep a fire in the cabins in cold weather, which is impossible in the present ones. The sides will be glassed in. Thorough insulation against lightning will be installed. Of more rigid construction than the wooden towers, the new ones of steel will be shaken very little by high winds that howl by on occasions." (Prescott Evening Courier)
October 17, 1938: "Paul Watson, who was formerly a lookout on Mount Union tower this summer, was again placed there as a lookout because of the dry weather and the danger of fire in the Prescott national forest during hunting season." (Prescott Evening Courier)
October 17, 1938: "Paul Watson, who was formerly a lookout on Mount Union tower this summer, was again placed there as a lookout because of the dry weather and the danger of fire in the Prescott national forest during hunting season." (Prescott Evening Courier)
May 3, 1939: "Paul G. Watson took his station as fire guard on the lookout at Mount Union Tuesday, it was reported by Jack Turney, district ranger for the Prescott National forest today.
Turney returned to Prescott this afternoon from Mingus mountain where he gave practical instructions and illustrations in fire fighting this morning for the Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees at the side camp on the mountain." (Prescott Evening Courier)
May 3, 1939: "Paul G. Watson took his station as fire guard on the lookout at Mount Union Tuesday, it was reported by Jack Turney, district ranger for the Prescott National forest today.
Turney returned to Prescott this afternoon from Mingus mountain where he gave practical instructions and illustrations in fire fighting this morning for the Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees at the side camp on the mountain." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 15, 1939: "Forest officials today said the blaze probably would have been even more serious had it not been for the efficient operation of the new two-way radio system used in the field, affording communication with Mount Union lookout station." (Arizona Independent Republic)
July 15, 1939: "Forest officials today said the blaze probably would have been even more serious had it not been for the efficient operation of the new two-way radio system used in the field, affording communication with Mount Union lookout station." (Arizona Independent Republic)
July 1, 1947: "The 10th man-caused fire in the Prescott National forests burned over one quarter of an acre of seedlings at the head of Indian creek divide, west of the White Spar, late yesterday afternoon and early last nigh. Bill Pradt, lookout on Mt. Union first noticed the smoke which was later spotted by the lookout on Spruce mountain." (Prescott Evening Courier)
July 1, 1947: "The 10th man-caused fire in the Prescott National forests burned over one quarter of an acre of seedlings at the head of Indian creek divide, west of the White Spar, late yesterday afternoon and early last nigh. Bill Pradt, lookout on Mt. Union first noticed the smoke which was later spotted by the lookout on Spruce mountain." (Prescott Evening Courier)
October 21, 1952: "Bill Wells, local forest ranger, will go on duty at the Mount Union lookout tower southeast of Prescott Friday morning, according to an announcement made Tuesday by Earl Albright, assistant supervisor of Prescott National Forest.
Albright said it has become necessary to man the lookout tower 'because forests are extremely dry and because the presence of hunters and other sportsmen constitutes a threat of fire in the area.
' If we should get a good hard rain before Friday, it may be possible to call off the lookout,' Albright said. 'We've had no rain at all since the 20th of September and immediate prospects don't look to good,' he said." (Prescott Evening Courier)
October 21, 1952: "Bill Wells, local forest ranger, will go on duty at the Mount Union lookout tower southeast of Prescott Friday morning, according to an announcement made Tuesday by Earl Albright, assistant supervisor of Prescott National Forest.
Albright said it has become necessary to man the lookout tower 'because forests are extremely dry and because the presence of hunters and other sportsmen constitutes a threat of fire in the area.
' If we should get a good hard rain before Friday, it may be possible to call off the lookout,' Albright said. 'We've had no rain at all since the 20th of September and immediate prospects don't look to good,' he said." (Prescott Evening Courier)
June 28, 1976: "Who needs Niagara Falls?
U.S. Forest Ranger Matt Glover, 61, and his new bride Norma say the honeymoon suite atop a lookout tower on 8,000-foot Mt. Union is 'like being close to heaven.'
Glover, who has watched over the Prescott National Forest from the mountain lookout for five years, decided he would say his vows in his 'spiritual home.'
A sunrise wedding ceremony was held June 11 in the midst of 25 mph winds and 40 degree temperatures on the highest peak in Yavapai County.
With the extreme fire danger in the forest, the newlyweds decided to honeymoon at the lookout, beside which they are setting up housekeeping in a mountain cabin.
Glover said his bride's daughter-in-law introduced the couple at a Yavapai College lecture and then 'everything happened very fast.'" (The Yuma Daily Sun)
June 28, 1976: "Who needs Niagara Falls?
U.S. Forest Ranger Matt Glover, 61, and his new bride Norma say the honeymoon suite atop a lookout tower on 8,000-foot Mt. Union is 'like being close to heaven.'
Glover, who has watched over the Prescott National Forest from the mountain lookout for five years, decided he would say his vows in his 'spiritual home.'
A sunrise wedding ceremony was held June 11 in the midst of 25 mph winds and 40 degree temperatures on the highest peak in Yavapai County.
With the extreme fire danger in the forest, the newlyweds decided to honeymoon at the lookout, beside which they are setting up housekeeping in a mountain cabin.
Glover said his bride's daughter-in-law introduced the couple at a Yavapai College lecture and then 'everything happened very fast.'" (The Yuma Daily Sun)
1996: National Register of Historical Places "Mount Union Lookout Cabin (added 1996 - - #87002489)