YAMHILL COUNTY
MOUNT HEBO
Siuslaw National Forest
4S-9W-23
4S-9W-23
July 5, 1913: "A. E. Cahoon, supervisor of the Siuslaw forest reserve, returned yesterday from Tillamook county where he has just completed a trail of eight miles leading through an important part of the forest. Although there has been no fire this year, on account of the wet weather, the service is continually at work preparing to successfully cope with this great menace to the forests. A telephone line has just been finished to Hebo mountain, a prominent lookout point and a lookout man established permanently there. These lookout stations are established on the high peaks of the range and command a view of 25 to 50 miles in all directions." (The Eugene Daily Guard)
1913: Alidades were established at three observation points along the summit.
May 11, 1917: "Supervisor Rankin announces that the building of 26 miles of forest telephone between the lookout stations on Mt. Hebo and Bald Mountain has started and will be completed this summer." (Morning Register)
February 1, 1921: "Supervisor R. S. Shelley, of the Siuslaw National forest, returned last night from a trip to the vicinity of Hebo lookout station. He states there was plenty of wind and rain in that section while he was there." (The Eugene Daily Guard)
July 8, 1921: "Six fire finding instruments for as many lookout stations were sent out by the Siuslaw national forest today. The instruments consist of a large map of the lookout district on which is mounted a circle graduated in degrees, and a sighting apparatus. Angle readings are taken by the lookouts and telephoned to headquarters where the fire is located by the intersection method. One of these instruments went out to Mt. Hebo." (The Eugene Daily Guard)
August 4, 1922: "A. R. Wilcox, inspector of the Siuslaw national forest, returned today from 10 days spent in the timber. He went as far north as Mt. Hebo, where he instructed the Hebo lookout regarding fire finding." (The Eugene Daily Guard)
April 17, 1923: "Arrangements are being made to erect a forest fire lookout house on top of Mount Hebo. The materials are on hand and the work will start at once said the supervisor." (Morning Register)
June 19, 1923: "A lookout house is being erected on top of Mt. Hebo, in the Siuslaw national forest in Tillamook county and several miles of trail and telephone line are being built, extending east from Hebo ranger station, according to Ralph S. Shelley, supervisor of this forest, who has just returned from a trip to that section of his district. L.E. Garwood, ranger there, has charge of the erection of the lookout house and it is expected to have it completed by July 1, said Mr. Shelley.
Three miles of trail and ten miles of telephone line will be built this year with money available, he said." (Morning Register)
June 20, 1923: "A lookout house is being erected on top of Mount Hebo, in the Siuslaw national forest in Tillamook county, and several miles of trail and telephone line are being built, extending eastward from Hebo ranger station. Three miles of trail and 10 miles of telephone line will be built this year." (The Morning Oregonian)
1924: A cupola style lookout constructed on the northeast summit, and a 30-foot tower erected on the southwest summit.
August 13, 1926: "Fire in the Hebo district of the Siuslaw national forest was reported today to R. S. Shelley, supervisor. The fire, which has burned over 20 acres, is believed to have been started by a careless smoker, Mr. Shelley said.
It was discovered by lookout Ernest Greenlee stationed on Mt. Hebo, and seven men are being used to fight the blaze. It is now under control, but has cost the government $200 so far to fight it." (The Eugene Guard)
April 23, 1933: "The fire hazard season in the national forest is approaching, and a lookout is being sent to Mt. Hebo in the Siuslaw forest, according to R. S. Shelley, supervisor. There is four feet of snow in the road leading to the mountain, however, and the lookout may experience some difficulty reaching his post. It is the first time in the history of the department that snow has proved a handicap in sending out lookouts." (The Eugene Guard)
December 1936: "On Mt. Hebo a new lookout tower and house has recently been completed." (The Salt - Forest newsletter)
1937: A 53-foot tower erected on the eastern summit.
1950: A 67-foot treated timber tower with an L-4 cab constructed on the northwest summit.
1978: The lookout removed.