IRIS POINT
Missoula County - Lolo National Forest - 11N-17W-30
May 10, 1930: "Construction of a new lookout station, the twelfth to be established on the Missoula National forest, will be started soon at a point between Gilbert and Schwartz creeks, Assistant Supervisor John Clack said on his return from selection of the site. The lookout, which will be at an altitude of 6,500 feet, will be directly south of Clinton.
A permanent structure is to be erected. A 50-foot tower is to be built as a perch for the lookout, who will be stationed there during the fire season to keep an eye on the surrounding country. Three miles of telephone line must be strung in from the nearest point of communication.
This lookout will cover country which has heretofore remained unseen from other lookout stations of the Missoula forest, permitting fires to gain headway before they were detected. The Missoula forest has 11 lookout points at the present time and this is to be the twelfth." (The Daily Missoulian)
A permanent structure is to be erected. A 50-foot tower is to be built as a perch for the lookout, who will be stationed there during the fire season to keep an eye on the surrounding country. Three miles of telephone line must be strung in from the nearest point of communication.
This lookout will cover country which has heretofore remained unseen from other lookout stations of the Missoula forest, permitting fires to gain headway before they were detected. The Missoula forest has 11 lookout points at the present time and this is to be the twelfth." (The Daily Missoulian)
September 4, 1930: "A new type of lookout house, combining an observation post and living quarters, is to be tried out in Western Montana forests, John Clack, assistant supervisor of the Missoula National forest, announced yesterday. The new houses are designed to enable forest fire lookouts to spend virtually all their time within sight of all parts of their districts, eliminating the necessity for their leaving even for meals.
The first structure of the new type is being erected on Iris peak, about five miles southeast of Bonita on the Rock creek watershed. It is planned to construct others at Miller peak, Mount Emerine and Mount Emery in time for the 1931 fire season.
The Iris peak house will consist of a 14 by 14 foot cabin, mounted on a heavy timber framework which raises the floor 30 feet off the ground. All four sides of the cabin are glass-enclosed, affording an unobstructed view in all directions. A bed, cooking equipment and other necessities will be installed in the cabin, making it possible for the lookout to stay at his post virtually 24 hours a day. Modern telephones will replace the wall type instruments now in use, making for more rapid reports.
A stairway leads to the cabin in place of a ladder commonly used. The cabin is set on a heavy timber framework, stout enough to withstand the most violent winds, and for added strength is guyed with wire cables." (The Daily Missoulian)
November 3, 1930: "Forest Service officials have finished an inspection of a new type of lookout tower, just completed on Iris peak, in the Missoula forest east of the city. The new tower, which was designed by members of the regional staff here, may be seen from the main highway and is one of several which are to be built in readiness for next season.
This lookout is built on a 30-foot wooden tower, and has living quarters 14 feet square, entirely surrounded by glass windows, constituting a visible was through which all sides may be seen at all times. The lookout may remain in his quarters throughout the day and night, preparing his meals there and keeping a constant vigil.
Built on a tower on the peak, the lookout is high enough so that it commands a view above the tallest timber, permitting the guard to look down into the valleys and plains of his district. The cost is approximately $70. C.P. Fickes, J.R. Halm and H.R. Flint of the district offices accompanied Supervisor J.F. Brooks for an inspection of the place." (Independent - Helena)
The NGS Data Sheet
DESIGNATION - IRIS L O
PID - RX1028
STATE/COUNTY- MT/MISSOULA
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - IRIS POINT (2017)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 1957
DESCRIPTION AND POSITION LISTED IN NGS QUAD 46113-4, STATION 1006.
LOCATED 5.0 MI. WSW. OF BONITA RANGER STATION, 4-1/2 MI. S. OF
CLINTON, IN SEC. 16, T 11 N, R 17 W, ON THE HIGHEST POINT OF A RIDGE
BETWEEN GILBERT CREEK AND SCHWARTZ CREEK.
THE STATION CAN BE REACHED BY FOREST SERVICE TRAIL FROM GILBERT CREEK
BUT IT IS ABOUT A 3 HOUR PACK.
TO REACH THE STATION FROM SCHWARTZ CREEK, WHICH IS THE SHORTEST ROUTE, START AT THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD STATION IN CLINTON AND GO E.
ON THE RD. S. OF THE NORTHERN PACIFIC TRACKS 1.0 MI. TO A T-RD. S.,
THENCE S. 2.4 MI. UP SCHWARTZ CREEK TO A RD. FORK, THENCE LEFT 3.4
MI. TO AN OLD RD. TO THE LEFT JUST AFTER CULVERT CROSSING OF SCHWARTZ
CREEK, THENCE LEFT UP OLD RD. 0.9 MI. TO END OF TRUCK TRAVEL. PACK
UP TO RIDGE LINE TO THE N., THENCE E. FOR 1-1/2 HRS. TO TOP OF RIDGE
AND STATION SITE. A RED ROCK OUTCROPPING IS ABOUT HALF A FT. N. OF
STATION MARK.
STATION MARK--A STANDARD USGS ALUMINUM TABLET CEMENTED IN ROCK UNDER CENTER OF LOOKOUT TOWER ABOUT 2 IN. BELOW GROUND LEVEL. TABLET IS
STAMPED---IRIS L.O. 1957---.
PID - RX1028
STATE/COUNTY- MT/MISSOULA
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - IRIS POINT (2017)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 1957
DESCRIPTION AND POSITION LISTED IN NGS QUAD 46113-4, STATION 1006.
LOCATED 5.0 MI. WSW. OF BONITA RANGER STATION, 4-1/2 MI. S. OF
CLINTON, IN SEC. 16, T 11 N, R 17 W, ON THE HIGHEST POINT OF A RIDGE
BETWEEN GILBERT CREEK AND SCHWARTZ CREEK.
THE STATION CAN BE REACHED BY FOREST SERVICE TRAIL FROM GILBERT CREEK
BUT IT IS ABOUT A 3 HOUR PACK.
TO REACH THE STATION FROM SCHWARTZ CREEK, WHICH IS THE SHORTEST ROUTE, START AT THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD STATION IN CLINTON AND GO E.
ON THE RD. S. OF THE NORTHERN PACIFIC TRACKS 1.0 MI. TO A T-RD. S.,
THENCE S. 2.4 MI. UP SCHWARTZ CREEK TO A RD. FORK, THENCE LEFT 3.4
MI. TO AN OLD RD. TO THE LEFT JUST AFTER CULVERT CROSSING OF SCHWARTZ
CREEK, THENCE LEFT UP OLD RD. 0.9 MI. TO END OF TRUCK TRAVEL. PACK
UP TO RIDGE LINE TO THE N., THENCE E. FOR 1-1/2 HRS. TO TOP OF RIDGE
AND STATION SITE. A RED ROCK OUTCROPPING IS ABOUT HALF A FT. N. OF
STATION MARK.
STATION MARK--A STANDARD USGS ALUMINUM TABLET CEMENTED IN ROCK UNDER CENTER OF LOOKOUT TOWER ABOUT 2 IN. BELOW GROUND LEVEL. TABLET IS
STAMPED---IRIS L.O. 1957---.