POWELL COUNTY
MOUNT POWELL
Deerlodge National Forest
7N-11W-21
7N-11W-21
June 6, 1907: "The forestry division of the federal government is taking extraordinary precautions to guard against fires in the forest reserves in this state. A construction crew is engaged in building at a point near the summit of Mount Powell a watch tower for the use of the forest guard, who will be stationed there during the summer for the purpose of keeping a sharp lookout for incipient blazes that may threaten damage to the forests. This is one of five stations which have been or will be established on the Hell Gate reserve. The other stations are at German Gulch, Race Track district, Pioneer, Bearmouth and Georgetown flats. Each of the watch towers is connected by a telephone line, with the headquarters presided over by Supervisor C. C. Hall, and arrangements will be made for the rushing of a body of fire fighters to any point threatened." (The Wibaux Pioneer)
April 28, 1910: "It is stated in the offices of the Deer Lodge national forest that as soon as the improvement fund is available work will be started on the construction of trails and cabins on several of the prominent mountain peaks of the reserve. According to the present plans, trails will be broken to the summits of Mount Haggin, Mount Powell, Mount Lookout, Table mountain and Bow mountain. After the trails are completed cabins will be built as near the summits as possible, and these will be provided with telephone connections to the rangers' headquarters in the various districts. These stations will be used by forest guards and rangers, who will keep a sharp lookout, day and night, for fires in the timber within their range of vision." (Anaconda Standard)
July 1, 1910: "Chief Ranger Foster G. Smith of the forest service was a visitor in the city yesterday. He is in charge of a crew which is constructing a trail and lookout station on the summit of Mount Powell, which will be used in the detection of forest fires." (Anaconda Standard)
July 19, 1911: "Three fire lookout stations have been put in operation on Mount Powell, Mount Haggin and Haystack mountain during the past year. This summer a fourth lookout will be installed on the northernmost peak of the Highlands group." (Anaconda Standard)
December 15, 1912: "L.C. Stockdale, acting supervisor of the Deer Lodge forest reserve, gives some interesting facts regarding forest fires, their origin, control, suppression and prevention.
The primary control is secured by a means of four lookout stations, so situated that practically a complete view of the forest is obtained. These stations are located on Mount Haggin, elevation 10,598 feet: Mount Powell, 10,500 feet: Red mountain, 10,030 feet: Hay Stack mountain, 8,800 feet. Each section is connected by telephone and a man is on duty there continually during the fire season." (Anaconda Standard)
October 27, 1917: "A.W. Kertz, who has been stationed at the Seymour creek station in the Big Hole basin, left last evening for Race Track, where he will join Ranger J.H. Morrow at the Mount Powell forestry station." (Anaconda Standard)
May 21, 1919: "William Coryelle, one of the pioneer ranchers on upper Race Track creek, was an Anaconda visitor yesterday 'Bill' says he will not do much ranching this season, as he is under the impression that it will be a dry season. He expects to resume his former position as 'lookout' on Mount Powell for the forestry department in the near future." (Anaconda Standard)