MISSOULA COUNTY
DAVIS POINT
Lolo National Forest
11N-19W-14
11N-19W-14
November 26, 1944: "Davis Point, 20 miles south of Missoula by road, has been selected as the site for a new model lookout to be erected by the forest service. Construction with various materials, steel, plastics and other factors will be carried on through the winter and the lookout will be erected on a tower on Davis point, at the head of the Spooner creek gulch south of here, in the spring.
An attempt is being made to mold all factors developed in the recent engineering and material progress into a new design, which will involve all improvements possible and develop a lookout capable of withstanding weather." (Independent Record)
An attempt is being made to mold all factors developed in the recent engineering and material progress into a new design, which will involve all improvements possible and develop a lookout capable of withstanding weather." (Independent Record)
January 10, 1946: "Something new has been added--glass windows slanting 20 degrees and a flat roof are innovations of the new model lookout being completed by forest service engineers and workmen of the northern region in the Lolo forest on Davis creek.
The construction plans are one of a series of four originally designed by forest service headquarters in Washington, D.C., and sent to four different regions in the United States. Some changes in design were made in the Davis creek lookout by engineers in the regional office in Missoula, coordinating the use of some substitute materials with most effective functional specifications for this snowy northwest area.
The flat roof, banded on the edge by copper sheeting, should prevent pile-up of snow as the force of blowing wind helps keep it swept clean on top. The oblique windows were designed to avoid visual distortions such as misjudging the placement of lightning strikes, which was prevalent with the old-type vertical windows. The new roof should prove cooler in summer, not only because of insulation but because of shade provided by an overhanging portion of the roof, thereby eliminating the flapping shutters common to older lookouts.
The 40-foot tower has supports made of creosote-treated wood and the 14x14-foot cab is constructed of concrete asbestos board with complete insulation in both roof and walls.
Advancements in prefabrication were also considered in the basic draft of the new tower. The prefabricated cab was first set up for trial in the forest service shop in Missoula and later on the mountain site along with the prefabricated tower.
The new lookout is scheduled for use next fire season and will be equipped with standard facilities." (The Mineral Independent)
1957: A new 41-foot treated timber tower was erected.
1966: The tower and cab were moved to Blue Mountain southwest of Missoula.