SEXTON MOUNTAIN (AKA CRONY MTN)
Josephine County - Oregon Department of Forestry - 34S-6W-24
September 12, 1919: "F.C. Chapler, of the U.S. department of forestry in Portland and who is also working in cooperation with the state service, was here yesterday and went with Fire Warden Hoxie to inspect the new lookout station that has recently been completed on Mt. Sexton." (Grants Pass Daily Courier)
June 23, 1921: "The first forest fire of the season was reported yesterday near Galice by the Sexton mountain lookout. The fire covered about 30 acres before it was put under control." (Grants Pass Daily Courier)
October 17, 1929: "Wednesday Fred Smith moved Mr. Briggs down from Sexton Mountain. Mr. Briggs has been acting as lookout this summer for the state fire department." (Grants Pass Daily Courier)
April 5, 1930: "A new lookout station is in course of construction on Bald Mountain." (Grants Pass Daily Courier) (Grave Creek gossip column)
June 19, 1930: "Fred Smith is once more on duty as fire warden for this district. Mr. and Mrs. Smith visited the Look Out station on Sexton Mountain Saturday, where Mr. and Mrs. Nealy are in charge for the season." (Grants Pass Daily Courier)
1931: The materials for the new lookout packed to the summit by Larry 'Red' McLane by mule train.
December 1, 1931: "The Department of Commerce recently let the contract for the construction of a cabin on the summit of Sexton Mountain in Josephine county. As soon as completed it will be the year-long home of two men who will be engaged in taking weather observations for the benefit of aviation. Heretofore the men have been stationed at the Sexton Mountain Service Station at the foot of the mountain.
The new cabin is being constructed on the spot where the state has maintained a lookout for the past twenty years. In order to take care of the lookout the new cabin is designed with the observation tower on top. The old cabin has been moved a short distance away and will be used as living quarters for the lookout. Other improvements include the pumping of water to the summit. Also the cabin will be lighted with Flamo gas. The cabin will be completed about the first of the year." (Forest Log)
December 21, 1931: "The national forest service is building a new lookout cabin on the summit of Sexton mountain in Josephine county. It will be used as and all-year home for two men who will serve as forest lookouts and weather observers.
The old cabin, built about 20 years ago, has been moved aside and will be used as living quarters, while the new cabin with observation tower on top, will serve primarily as working quarters.
Water will be pumped to the top of the mountain. Gas will be used for illumination." (Roseburg News-Review)
December 31, 1931: "The national forest service is building a new lookout cabin on the summit of Sexton mountain in Josephine county. It will be used as an all-year home for two men who will serve as forest lookouts and weather observers.
The old cabin, built about 20 years ago, has been moved aside and will be used as living quarters, while the new cabin with observation tower on top, will serve primarily as working quarters.
Water will be pumped to the top of the mountain. Gas will be used for illumination." (La Grande Evening Observer)
March 1, 1932: "The government airways station on the summit of Sexton mountain, in Josephine county, has recently been completed. The station will serve as a weather bureau and will broadcast weather conditions for the benefit of the air service.
On the roof of the station has been constructed a cupola to be used by the State Forestry department. as a lookout. However,a recent investigation shows that there have been some errors in construction and it will be almost impossible to mount a fire finder within the tower. The matter is to be taken up with Department of Commerce officials to see if some change can be made. The old lookout house which was the property of the state has been moved a short distance away and will be used as living quarters for the lookout" (Forest Log)
June 11, 1940: "With high temperatures increasing fire hazards sharply, the state forest patrol here posted two more lookouts today, one at Crony Peak on the Sexton Mountain summit." (Medford Mail Tribune)
1940: The lookout reported to Grants Pass by Forest telephone line and by early radio. The site was the location of an Airway beacon light.
1955: Maintenance expenses totaled $33.65. (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1956: "Building maintenance: New steps and painted." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1958: "Building maintenance: New windows and rewiring." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1959: "Building maintenance: Misc. repairs and painting." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1960: "Building maintenance: installed gas stove." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
September 1962: "Work has been started on construction of a new 30-foot lookout tower and cabin on Sexton Mountain in the Southwest Oregon district. Sand, cement and gravel were hauled to the site and all footings and anchors have been poured, according to word from the district.
The old cabin which has stood since 1933, when present State Forester Dwight Phipps was district warden there, was moved and turned over to the U.S. Weather Bureau." (The Forest Log)
1962: A 30-foot tower with an Amort style lookout cab constructed
1963: "Building maintenance: Installed lightning protection, electric and plumbing fixtures and laid the floor tile. Installed cabinet work." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1964: "Building maintenance: Installed new sink cabinet and screens." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1965: "Building maintenance: Straighten foundation, installed new floor joists, lay new floor and install siding on spring house." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
April 4, 2006: "Vandals destroyed the historic Mount Sexton fire lookout and three Oregon Department of Forestry repeater antennas Saturday night. (April 1st)
The damage, which included three structures and other communications equipment, could total as much as $500,00, according to an Oregon State Police detective leading the investigation." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 2007: A new steel tower completed and placed in service the 2008 fire season.