BAKER POINT
Columbia County - Columbia County FPA - Oregon Department of Forestry - 5N-3W-19
1938: "A speeder crew reported the fire, burning along the Oregon American Railroad right-of-way to Dave Conn, who immediately called Baker Point Lookout to check the fire location. The lookout easily located the fire when it was called to his attention, which points to a definite laxity in the lookout's performance of his duties. In our opinion a Lookout with such a careless attitude should be removed, even though he is a son of Frank Baker." (Report on Keasey Fire - 1938)
1941: A 99-foot wood tower with an 8x8 cab was erected. The steel ladder from the old tree lookout replaced by this structure was moved to Damewood Point in Douglas County and became part of a new tree lookout in that district.
Activated: March 9, 1942. Portland Filter Center.
May 13, 1942: "This post was visited on May 12th. The observers were Mr. and Mrs. David McMullen.
Improvements consist of a 16x18 ground cabin which is satisfactorily sealed in. A good heating stove is needed for winter. Vandalism is also in evidence at this station and as a result, a new door is needed.
A 99-foot creosoted sawn timber type of tower with a 7x7 cab on top completes the improvements. As the point has been logged and burned over, a minor wood problem exists. A woodshed is needed." (Inspection Report by W.N. Parke, AWS Inspector, to James Frankland USFS Engineering)
Improvements consist of a 16x18 ground cabin which is satisfactorily sealed in. A good heating stove is needed for winter. Vandalism is also in evidence at this station and as a result, a new door is needed.
A 99-foot creosoted sawn timber type of tower with a 7x7 cab on top completes the improvements. As the point has been logged and burned over, a minor wood problem exists. A woodshed is needed." (Inspection Report by W.N. Parke, AWS Inspector, to James Frankland USFS Engineering)
1942: AWS construction consisted of a 20x22 woodshed and a 10x14 room built onto the present house.
April 8, 1943: "Mr. and Mrs. Dave McMullen and son, Jimmie, of Baker Point lookout drove to Yakima, Washington last week to attend the funeral of Mrs. McMullen's younger brother, Orle Estes.
Mrs. Scaling and son, Henry, took care of Baker Point lookout while Mr. and Mrs. McMullen were away." (Vernonia Eagle)
Mrs. Scaling and son, Henry, took care of Baker Point lookout while Mr. and Mrs. McMullen were away." (Vernonia Eagle)
October 14, 1943: "Mr. and Mrs. Barns have charge of Baker Point lookout now." (Vernonia Eagle)
1953: Maintenance this year included repairing a shutter, replacing the trapdoor and tightening all the bolts.
July 3, 1954: "The youngest of the amazon observers is Joyce Pearce of Rainier. The attractive miss is beginning her second year as a lookout at Baker point in Columbia county, yet she is only 17 years old--soon to be 18. Her post is in one of the big Crown Zellerbach tree farms." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
1955: Part of one tower leg was replaced along with one flight of stairs and several cross braces. The lookout was repainted inside and out.
November 1956: "A short time ago Dennis Mawhirter, Pittsburg, assistant district warden for the Columbia county unit of the Northwest State district, had occasion to make a trip to the Baker Point lookout and found that the locks had been broken off the station and the remote unit of the radio installation stolen.
While calling to report the theft to the Forest Grove office, another call came in from a radio shop in Cornelius saying that two juveniles had brought a piece of the state forestry department radio equipment into the shop to be repaired. The state license was still inside the unit.
The two youngsters said there was a man with them at the time the equipment was stolen but they did not know his name. The state police are on his trail." (The Forest Log)
While calling to report the theft to the Forest Grove office, another call came in from a radio shop in Cornelius saying that two juveniles had brought a piece of the state forestry department radio equipment into the shop to be repaired. The state license was still inside the unit.
The two youngsters said there was a man with them at the time the equipment was stolen but they did not know his name. The state police are on his trail." (The Forest Log)
1956: Doors were repaired on the garage and woodshed.
October 12, 1962: The lookout was completely destroyed during the Columbus Day storm.
1966: The remaining buildings were salvaged.