MOUNT DEFIANCE
Hood River County - Mount Hood National Forest
January 14, 1924: "Ranger E.N. Wheeler of Cascade Locks, Ore., established a lookout station on Mt. Defiance during 1923. This station gives increased fire protection in Columbia Gorge Park and the Hood River Valley." (Six Twenty-Six)
June 1, 1928: "the lonely fastness of Mount Defiance, 50 miles from the Columbia highway in the heart of the Mount Hood national forest, is the honeymoon paradise chosen by two ex-University of Oregon students for the summer months.
Miss Katheryne Freitag, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John William Freitag of Portland, and Dale James Ickes, Palouse, Wash., are scheduled to wed tomorrow. Shortly after their marriage the young couple will start for Mount Defiance on Herman creek, high above the Herman creek ranger station. Here the bridegroom will serve as fire lookout until September, when he will assume his duties as athletic coach at Clatskanie high school.
Library and larder alike will have to be taken along by the young couple and there will be no mail deliveries in their mountain summer resort." (Morning Oregonian)
1934: A 40-foot timber tower with an L-4 cab was constructed.
May 27, 1952: “Replacement was begun of the Mt. Defiance Lookout house and tower.” (I-information – Historical Report, Mt. Hood District)
February 9, 1953: “Mt. Defiance Lookout completed in June.” (I-information – Historical Report, Columbia Gorge District - 1952)
February 9, 1953: “Mt. Defiance Lookout completed in June.” (I-information – Historical Report, Columbia Gorge District - 1952)
1959: During a strong wind storm in September the lookout was severely damaged.
February 4, 1960: “Mt. Defiance L.O. Cabin wrecked by severe windstorm early in Sept. The L.O. Went down for a day off the day before the storm. Lady luck was with him. A new cabin will be constructed on the 40 ft tower prior to the 1960 season.” (I-information – Historical Report, Columbia Gorge District - 1959)
1962: A new 41-foot treated timber tower with an R-6 flat roof cab was constructed.
1964: The lookout station was deactivated.
1971: During the winter months the tower was burned.