WYOMING LOOKOUTS
MOUNT WASHBURN
Park County
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
1918-19: "It is desirable that a fire lookout station be established on Mount Washburn. This mountain commands a vast expanse of the best forests in the park." (Report of the Director of National Park Service)
1920-21: "In the current appropriation act the sum of $2,500 was authorized to be expended in the construction of a shelter and fire-lookout station on the summit of Mount Washburn. The building was designed by Landscape Engineer Hull, and was built of native rock and timbers. The inside dimensions of this building are 16 feet by 16 feet, with rock walls 2 feet thick laid in mortar. The first floor is 8 feet 8 inches high, with a large fireplace built in the southeast corner of the room. The fire lookout is placed on the southeast corner of the main building and is also of masonry construction. It is 7 feet 6 inches by 7 feet 10 inches, inside dimensions, with a height of 8 feet. An 18-inch fire wall was built around both roofs. In connection with this building two comfort stations were provided; inside dimensions, 7 feet by 16 feet, with walls 16 inches thick; built of native rock and timbers." (Report of the Director of the National Park Service)
1921: "Mount Washburn shelter house and fire lookout was designed and constructed during the past season. On the summit of Mount Washburn at an elevation of over 10,000 feet this rough stone structure has already become popular with the tourist. Using melted snow for mixing cement this building was erected with considerable difficulty and much credit is due the crew which stuck with the job and saw it through to the finish.
The fire lookout where a ranger will be stationed, will probably not be put into operation until the beginning of next season." (Report of the Director of the National Park Service)
August 25, 1921: "Melting snow in midsummer in order to provide water for cement is the means adopted by the Landscape Engineering Department of the National Park Service in the construction of a new lookout station and shelter at the top of Mount Washburn here.
Situated more than 10,000 feet above sea level, the building of this picturesque stone structure presented a water problem that threatened to stump engineers. They hit upon using artificial means of melting snow but, recently, the summer weather has melted it so rapidly that work has had to be rushed to keep it from running out. New ranger stations and community houses for motorists are also being built by the Landscape division." (Fort Collins Courier)
September 15, 1921: "The road on top of Mount Washburn, the highest point in the park, has been completed this year, and on the very summit has been erected a small stone building for the protection of the lookout, which is being visited by many. The Mount Washburn trip between the Canyon and Mammoth cost $2 in addition to the regular fare, and is well worth it. The view from the top on a clear day is wonderful, six ranges of mountains, with views spreading over three states visible. Very few of the private cars make the ascent, the summit being 10,350 feet above sea level." (Rawlins Republican)
1922: "A telephone line 3 miles in length was built from Dunraven Pass to the fire-lookout station on Mt Washburn." (Report of the Director of the National Park Service)
July 13, 1930: "From a lookout station, perched on the very peak of the mountain, one is afforded a panoramic view of Yellowstone park at virtually one glance and this lofty perch has long been the lure of poet and painter.
The Mount Washburn road, winding this way and that, up and up, makes vehicles on the ribbon-like road below, appear as toys and the huge trees seem like miniature table centerpieces.
Daily excursions to Mount Washburn's summit are conducted by the Yellowstone Park Transportation company and hundreds of tourists also make the ascent each day. The regular road was opened July 1 to regular traffic." (Independent - Helena)
July 9, 1933: "A 20-power telescope has been placed atop Mount Washburn in Yellowstone park. Set up on the highest pinnacle accessible to motorists, the telescope has the dual purpose of providing thrills for visitors and helping ranger lookouts to spot fires." (Independent - Helena)
July 16, 1935: "Crews of men have been at work for weeks clearing away deep snowdrifts. The opening of the road to the top of the 10,217-foot peak has been later this season than for many years because of the great snowfall of the last winter.
A 20-power telescope has again been set in place near the parapet that surrounds the pinnacle. Through this glass the entire vista of Yellowstone park spreads clearly and distinctly before the observer. Major mountain peaks in the park are clearly visible, and the Gallatin range to the west and the Absaroka range on the east become the bordering horizon.
Theodore Robb, ranger-naturalist and fire lookout, is stationed at the top of Mount Washburn. He serves in the capacity of guide, information-dispenser, lecturer, and observer for trace of forest fires. In his latter capacity, he makes good use of the telescope." (Independent - Helena)
August 15, 1940: "A monumental structure of reinforced concrete is nearing completion atop the rugged, wind torn summit of Mount Washburn, in Yellowstone national park.
When the last form is poured and the shavings swept from the floor, this three story fortress will stand as one of the largest and finest lookouts in any national park--a vital cog in the protection of the million and three quarters acres of virgin forest which mantle Yellowstone.
For practical purposes in locating fires the new lookout commands a radius of 15 miles. Although natural hazes make it difficult to see a small column of smoke any great distance, the Teton mountains more than 80 miles away are easily observed on a clear day. The elevation of Mount Washburn is 10,317 feet.
Being built by the national park service at a cost of approximately $15,000, the new structure replaces the inadequate stone lookout erected on Mount Washburn in 1921. Construction of a road to the top of the peak has made it increasingly popular as a side trip for tourists in Yellowstone park.
The lookout proper on the third floor of the new building, encased in glass, has already been opened and has been occupied the past month by Fire Lookout John Mackey of Ansley, Neb., a student at the University of Nebraska, who will spend the three summer months on the mountain.
The second floor of the new structure will be devoted to living quarters, with rest rooms on the ground floor.
Not yet completed is a one-story wing on the south side of the building which will serve as a public shelter, housing a lookout for visitors and a exhibit of maps and fire detecting instruments." (The Roundup Record-Tribune - Roundup, Montana)
