COLORADO MOUNTAIN |
Lewis & Clark County - Helena National Forest - 9N-5W-26
|
September 5, 1930: "The forest service is constructing a four-mile telephone line from the Moose Creek ranger station, to the lookout point on Colorado peak---an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet. This wire connects with the telephone line leading from Chessman reservoir to Helena. The peak is a strategic lookout point, as it overlooks practically all of the Ten Mile drainage, Lurap gulch, Corral creek and a large portion of the McClelland creek drainage. Much of the Prickly Pear territory is visible. In clear weather a large sector of the Big Belt mountains is visible. Using a field glass the observer can see the dome of the state capitol 11 miles distant, on an airline.
Milton Coty is lookout at Colorado peak this season.
There is no lookout station on the peak at present. A telephone booth will be erected." (The Montana Record-Herald)
Milton Coty is lookout at Colorado peak this season.
There is no lookout station on the peak at present. A telephone booth will be erected." (The Montana Record-Herald)
August 14, 1935: "A forest fire burning on the Deer Lodge national forest land and dangerously close to the Helena national forest was reported by the Colorado mountain lookout yesterday afternoon according to a statement from Supervisor J.N. Templer of Helena.
At a late hour last night the lookout on Colorado mountain reported to Supervisor Templer that the smoke from the fire had died down considerably probably due to the work of the fire fighters." (Independent)
At a late hour last night the lookout on Colorado mountain reported to Supervisor Templer that the smoke from the fire had died down considerably probably due to the work of the fire fighters." (Independent)
December 14, 1935: "The first permanent fire lookout station in the Helena National forest is now under construction on the top of Colorado mountain near Rimini and completion is expected within the next two months, it was announced yesterday by Ranger Bert Goodman of the Helena district.
For several years there has been a temporary station on Colorado mountain in the summer, but the man on lookout duty had no tower to watch from, and had to live in a tent.
Constructed of timber, the tower will be 20 feet high, and living quarters for the lookout will be built on its top. Windows in each side of the room on the tower will afford an excellent view of the surrounding territory, and telephone line, formerly extended to the tent, will be connected with a telephone in the station.
Three men are now engaged in the construction of the tower, and at the present time are felling timber to be used in erecting. Cement and other manufactured building materials to be used on the tower are carried about one mile from the road by horse or man to the station.
It is the hope of the forest service that more of the permanent fire lookout towers may be erected in the future, as they have proved to be much more efficient than the temporary stations consisting of tents on the ground." (Helena Independent Record)
For several years there has been a temporary station on Colorado mountain in the summer, but the man on lookout duty had no tower to watch from, and had to live in a tent.
Constructed of timber, the tower will be 20 feet high, and living quarters for the lookout will be built on its top. Windows in each side of the room on the tower will afford an excellent view of the surrounding territory, and telephone line, formerly extended to the tent, will be connected with a telephone in the station.
Three men are now engaged in the construction of the tower, and at the present time are felling timber to be used in erecting. Cement and other manufactured building materials to be used on the tower are carried about one mile from the road by horse or man to the station.
It is the hope of the forest service that more of the permanent fire lookout towers may be erected in the future, as they have proved to be much more efficient than the temporary stations consisting of tents on the ground." (Helena Independent Record)
December 20, 1935: "The first permanent fire lookout station in the Helena national forest is being built atop Colorado mountain near Rimini. Forest Ranger Bert Goodman said it will be completed in about two months." (The Midland Review)
January 7, 1936: "Ranger Bert Goodman of the Helena National forest yesterday was faced with the task of finding another good woodsman to help with the construction of a fire lookout tower on the top of Colorado mountain, near Rimini.
Elzy Gonlon had been working on the project with two other men, supplied by the FERA.
He told Ranger Goodman he might be gone a 'couple of months' as he had become entangled with Uncle Sam on a little matter concerning some moonshine found in his possession previous to his employment.
When he comes back the lookout tower will be completed and will have finished its first season, as Uncle Sam, represented by Federal Judge James H. Baldwin, decided to make him a guest at Camp Lewis for 12 months, and for his sojourn there, he must pay $200." (Independent)
Elzy Gonlon had been working on the project with two other men, supplied by the FERA.
He told Ranger Goodman he might be gone a 'couple of months' as he had become entangled with Uncle Sam on a little matter concerning some moonshine found in his possession previous to his employment.
When he comes back the lookout tower will be completed and will have finished its first season, as Uncle Sam, represented by Federal Judge James H. Baldwin, decided to make him a guest at Camp Lewis for 12 months, and for his sojourn there, he must pay $200." (Independent)
July 29, 1937: "A fourth fire was reported late last night from the Grizzly gulch area and two men, in addition to the two stationed at the Colorado mountain lookout, were sent to battle it. Telephone communication with the Colorado lookout was broken just after the fire was reported and Mr. Ficke said he had little idea as to the extent of the blaze." (Independent)
June 6, 1966: "Two Helena girls who were reported missing were found Saturday at the Colorado Mountain Forestry lookout, according to an announcement from the sheriff's office.
The girls, Shirley Janes, 17, and Janice Hartsook, 17, were discovered at the Lookout by Erv Kent after they had been missing since Friday afternoon. Their truck broke down during a storm Friday. The girls walked to the lookout to spend the night." (Independent Record)
The girls, Shirley Janes, 17, and Janice Hartsook, 17, were discovered at the Lookout by Erv Kent after they had been missing since Friday afternoon. Their truck broke down during a storm Friday. The girls walked to the lookout to spend the night." (Independent Record)
April 27, 1972: "The U.S. Forest Service's Colorado Mountain Fire Lookout Station will be eliminated according to William H. MacKenzie, district ranger. This fire lookout which has been in existence for approximately 30 years is now surplus to Forest Service needs.
'Due to the fact that we now have more aerial fire patrols and there are more residents in the area who report fires, there has been few 'first discoveries' by the Colorado Lookout in recent years,' MacKenzie said.
The Forest Service plans to remove the lookout cabin and tower this coming summer. It will accept bids from anyone who might be interested in salvaging the structure. Persons who would be interested in bidding on the structure should make themselves known by contacting the Helena Ranger District, 2001 Poplar, Helena, phone 442-5960 in the near future.
If no bids on the structure, the Forest Service will destroy it." (Independent Record)
'Due to the fact that we now have more aerial fire patrols and there are more residents in the area who report fires, there has been few 'first discoveries' by the Colorado Lookout in recent years,' MacKenzie said.
The Forest Service plans to remove the lookout cabin and tower this coming summer. It will accept bids from anyone who might be interested in salvaging the structure. Persons who would be interested in bidding on the structure should make themselves known by contacting the Helena Ranger District, 2001 Poplar, Helena, phone 442-5960 in the near future.
If no bids on the structure, the Forest Service will destroy it." (Independent Record)
