RAVALLI COUNTY
DEER MOUNTAIN
Bitterroot National Forest
3N-20W-11
3N-20W-11
February 16, 1923: "It was agreed that the following new projects would be constructed during the coming fiscal year; New telephone line from Rye creek to the top of Deer mountain, where a lookout cabin will be built." (Ravalli Republic)
September 23, 1924: "E.O. Hageman, who has been stationed at the Deer mountain lookout station for the past three months, came in on Wednesday. Mr. Hageman, who is an expert photographer, mapped and took pictures of the country surrounding Deer mountain while there." (The Daily Missoulian)
March 29, 1934: "Projects tentatively approved are the reconstruction of lookout station on Deer mountain east of Darby." (Ravalli Republic)
July 2, 1934: "A new lookout now in use by men in the Forest Service has been completed on Deer mountain east of Darby, by A. Davis and J.A. Halder." (The Missoulian)
July 12, 1961: "The Darby District of the Bitter Root National Forest recently completed the erection of a new lookout tower on Deer Mountain. The building is a pre-fabricated structure and was installed on a 10-foot tower of concrete blocks. Space inside the walls of the masonry tower is used for storage.
Construction work for the flat-roofed structure was under the supervision of H.A. 'Biff' McCullough. Others on the crew were William Lovingood, Preston Leming, Bruce Shivel and Fred Hahn.
Work was delayed until roads became passable to haul the materials up the mountain but the job was finished by June 30 on schedule.
The old building, which had withstood wind and weather for many years, was torn down after glass and window sashes were salvaged. It remained standing until the new structure was complete because of the need for a lookout in the early fire season.
Deer Mountain is located almost due east of Darby, between Rye Creek and Sleeping Child Creek. It provides a good view of most of the upper Bitter Root valley.
The lookout serves as a hub of communications by radio and telephone for Forest Service fire control organization and project work crews. Weather information for the Forest Service and the U.S. Weather Bureau is reported by the lookout.
Tom G. Lowman of Darby is stationed on Deer Mountain lookout this summer. He graduated from Darby high school last May as valedictorian of his class. He plans to attend Montana State University this fall, says James F. Milford, Darby district clerk." (Ravalli Republic)
June 13, 1962: "Deer Mountain: Tom Lowman, Darby, who attends Montana State University, Missoula. This will be his third year on Deer Mountain." (Ravalli Republic)
June 21, 1963: "Deer Mountain: Joseph Zoski, Hamilton, who attends Carroll College, Helena. He has served as lookout on Ward Mountain and Gird Point the past two seasons." (Ravalli Republic)
July 3, 1969: "Mike Bell of Hamilton will be stationed on Deer Mountain. Bell has just returned to the valley after a year in South America. He has attended Gonzaga University in Spokane. This is Bell's third year on the Darby district." (Ravalli Republic)