GRIZZLY MOUNTAIN
Curry County - Coos FPA - 37S-14W-4
June 17, 1937: "One of the finest views to be had in Curry County is from the new lookout station built last fall on Grizzly Mountain, about five miles back from Gold Beach. from this lookout, which is on a ten foot tower, a wonderful vista of both sea and mountains is visible. Bear Basin Butte and red Mountain, each 52 miles south, Mule Mountains, Bolivar, and several other peaks to the north can be seen as well as Cape Blanco, Port Orford, St. George's Head, and many other points stand out on a clear day.
The lookout will undoubtedly prove popular with hikers as an easy trail leads east from the county court house and follows through timber all the way to the immediate foot of the mountain, from which an easy grade is ascended to the top.
On completion of the projected forest road it is probable that cars can be safely driven to the foot of the mountain.
M.S. Brainard, of Gold Beach, has been assigned to the Grizzly station. He occupied it for a few days recently but was recalled when the last rain relieved fire danger." (Curry County Reporter)
The lookout will undoubtedly prove popular with hikers as an easy trail leads east from the county court house and follows through timber all the way to the immediate foot of the mountain, from which an easy grade is ascended to the top.
On completion of the projected forest road it is probable that cars can be safely driven to the foot of the mountain.
M.S. Brainard, of Gold Beach, has been assigned to the Grizzly station. He occupied it for a few days recently but was recalled when the last rain relieved fire danger." (Curry County Reporter)
November 1938: "In the Chetco District an unagreed cooperative arrangement between the Coast Guard lookouts and the Forest Service lookouts is working out nicely.
As occasions arise the Coastguardsmen tell us about fires that they think might help us in checking the location, and quite recently the lookout at Grizzly Mountain had occasion to return the compliment and at the same time bring relief to some derelict fisherman..
Nearing sundown one recent evening, the lookout sent the P.A. a reading on a small boat adrift in a heavy sea. about five miles off shore. The P.A. reported the matter to the Coast Guard at Port Orford and an ultimate rescue of the broken down craft was effected. The Coastguardsmen reported that they had been searching for the craft about 30 miles north and had practically given up hope. Through the medium of the Grizzly lookout, life was probably saved as well as the boat. Soon after sundown a dense fog set in which would have completely blotted out the small craft and she would probably not have survived the tremendous sea that came up during the night. E.H. Marshall" (Six Twenty-Six)
As occasions arise the Coastguardsmen tell us about fires that they think might help us in checking the location, and quite recently the lookout at Grizzly Mountain had occasion to return the compliment and at the same time bring relief to some derelict fisherman..
Nearing sundown one recent evening, the lookout sent the P.A. a reading on a small boat adrift in a heavy sea. about five miles off shore. The P.A. reported the matter to the Coast Guard at Port Orford and an ultimate rescue of the broken down craft was effected. The Coastguardsmen reported that they had been searching for the craft about 30 miles north and had practically given up hope. Through the medium of the Grizzly lookout, life was probably saved as well as the boat. Soon after sundown a dense fog set in which would have completely blotted out the small craft and she would probably not have survived the tremendous sea that came up during the night. E.H. Marshall" (Six Twenty-Six)
June 18, 1941: "Additional forest fire workers were posted this week by District Warden Keith Young of the Coos Fire Patrol association, as plans went forward for the year's work despite rains which kept the forests wet and green and greatly pleased the fire patrol staff.
Parker McNeil of Eugene, was sent to the Grizzly mountain lookout station in Curry county." (The Coos Bay Times)
December 17, 1941: "High winds Tuesday destroyed the Grizzly mountain lookout station of the Coos Fire Patrol association near Gold Beach, according to reports to the Bay Park headquarters today.
The lookout, recently re-installed as an aircraft observer, was removed Monday night because of a fear of a blow.
The lookout was on a small tower. Reconstruction plans will be made immediately." (The Coos Bay Times)
March 23, 1942: "Rebuilding of the Grizzly mountain lookout station, which was badly damaged during the severe windstorm last January, is progressing rapidly under supervision of V.V. Young, warden of Coos Bay Fire Patrol association." (The Coos Bay Times)
1942: The lookout was replaced after a wind storm destroyed the station. The new lookout was a 12 x 12 ground cabin that cost $250.00.
1942: The lookout was replaced after a wind storm destroyed the station. The new lookout was a 12 x 12 ground cabin that cost $250.00.
Activated: March 9, 1942. Roseburg Filter Center.
February 1942: "The lookout house on Grizzly mountain, located about four miles east of Gold Beach within the Curry unit of the Coos County Fire Patrol Association, was scattered over the side of the mountain late in December by a very high wind storm. The building was held in place by four strong guy wires but unable to withstand the pressure.
Emmett Freeman, who was stationed there while the lookout was being used as an air-raid warning point, had gone into Gold Beach prior to the storm because the communication equipment was out of order, when he returned he found the building gone, instruments and furniture scattered over the countryside, and his own personal belongings hanging on the bushes." (Forest Log)
Emmett Freeman, who was stationed there while the lookout was being used as an air-raid warning point, had gone into Gold Beach prior to the storm because the communication equipment was out of order, when he returned he found the building gone, instruments and furniture scattered over the countryside, and his own personal belongings hanging on the bushes." (Forest Log)
September 11, 1942: A report by W.N. Parke, AWS Inspector, stated that the construction of a 10x12 sleeping quarters had been started.
June 3, 1943: "The Army would like to have Grizzly confine their messages on flights to the west to a distance of six miles since a volunteer post west of this post also covers the area westward out to sea. It is quite obvious that the post should not try to hew too close to the line, however, and consequently it should reach out a mile or so farther than six miles to be sure that the flights aren't within the assigned limit." (Letter to the State Forester from James Frankland, USFS, Engineering)
1952: A 14 x 14 Amort style lookout house was constructed. The lookout station reported to the Gold Beach office by way of West Coast Telephone and radio.
The costs for the wood frame ground house were $810.00 for labor and $878.33 for materials. One mile of new road was constructed making it possible to drive to Grizzly Mtn lookout. (ODF Annual Report 1952)
The costs for the wood frame ground house were $810.00 for labor and $878.33 for materials. One mile of new road was constructed making it possible to drive to Grizzly Mtn lookout. (ODF Annual Report 1952)
July 30, 1966: "A report that a vessel was on fire was relayed to the Curry County Sheriff's office and the Coast Guard at Gold Beach by the Forest Service lookout at Grissley Peak. The Coast Guard responded to the call." (The World)
1980: "Construction of a 10 x 10 concrete block building to house radio and microwave equipment at the Grizzly Mountain lookout site." (Coos District Annual Report)