CARPENTER MOUNTAIN
Linn County - Willamette National Forest - 15S-6E-07
August 8, 1914: "Starting yesterday afternoon, a forest fire is burning ten miles northeast of Belknap Springs almost on the line between the Cascade National forest and the Santiam National forest and also close to the line between Linn and Lane counties. F. H. Brundige, of this city, supervisor of the Santiam National forest, sent a crew of rangers to fight it and while the fire is not yet under control it is believed there is a good chance to confine it to a small territory.
The fire was discovered by the government lookout on Carpenter mountain. How it started is not known but it is supposed to have been set by hunters smoking as there are no men in that part of the mountains but hunters and it is surmised that one of them threw away a cigar or cigarette." (Morning Register)
The fire was discovered by the government lookout on Carpenter mountain. How it started is not known but it is supposed to have been set by hunters smoking as there are no men in that part of the mountains but hunters and it is surmised that one of them threw away a cigar or cigarette." (Morning Register)
1917: A cupola style lookout house was constructed.
June 25, 1918: "A forest fire, burning over an area about one-quarter mile wide, was discovered today by the lookout on Carpenter Mountain, near the southern boundary of Linn County. The fire is in the Cascade National Forest, about seven miles south of Tidbits Mountain and near Gold Hill.
The lookout sent word to the Cascadia ranger station, and it was reported to headquarters of the Santiam National Forest here." (The Oregonian)
June 27, 1918: "The outlook on Carpenter Mountain, near the south boundary of Linn County, saw a new fire in township 17 south, range 3 east. about five miles south of Cook's ranch." (Oregonian)
December 4, 1918: "Vane Blodgett returned to his work above White City Monday after a five day's stay in Lebanon. Last summer Mr. Blodgett was stationed on Carpenter mountain for three months. This look-out station is at an elevation of 6,000 feet and is one of the highest in the Cascades, During the winter Mr. Blodgett will traverse the territory around White City." (The Lebanon Express)
August 7, 1920: "All of these fires are believed to have originated from lightning, which has accompanied thunderstorms every day since Thursday, and which destroyed the telephone line from Carpenter Mountain. Smoke that is hourly becoming heavier is impeding the lookouts in their attempts to secure data concerning the location of the fires. A phone is now on the way to Carpenter Mountain to replaced the damaged one." (Albany Democrat-Herald)
August 8, 1920: "During the electrical storm last night the telephone at the lookout station on Carpenter mountain was out of commission when lightning struck the wire." (The Oregonian)
September 15, 1920: "Mr. Macduff said yesterday that lightning struck the station at Carpenter mountain this summer, demolishing the telephone and following the wires down to the cabin, did some damage. The bolt knocked a sheepherder down and killed his dog." (Morning Register)
1921: The lookout was destroyed by a direct hit during a lightning storm.
January 28, 1924: "J.W. Plymale, who has been employed for more than two years as a lookout in the forestry service on Carpenter Mountain, ten miles north of Belknap Springs, is in Albany on business today." (Albany Daily Democrat)
September 25, 1930: “Because the recent rains have lessened the immediate fire danger in the Santiam national forest, Supervisor C.C. Hall has closed three lookout stations for the season. They are the posts on Battleaxe, in the northern part of the forest; on Sand mountain in the east central part and on Carpenter mountain in the southern part of the forest.” (Mill City Logue)
July 26, 1934: "Peering from the windows of his lookout station on Carpenter Mountain, Monday morning, W.H. Davis saw a large cougar which he shot." (The New Era)July 1924: "Work has started on a new lookout house." (Six Twenty-Six)
1935: A new L-4 lookout house was built.
July 10, 1935: "John Gilbert left Friday for Carpenter Mountain where he is stationed in a Forest Service lookout until the rains soak up the woods next fall and make fires impossible. John will have to pack in for 17 miles." (The New Era)
July 14, 1939: "Carpenter Mountain is in the district's 'hot spot,' or in other words, it is a very vital spot for a lookout fireman. A great deal of heavily timbered country may be viewed from the point. Many of the thunder storms center over this area and consequently it is most important to have a lookout stationed here. Alvin Blankenship is the fireman for the 1939 season. The elevation is 5400 feet and the location is Township 15S and Range 6E. The distance by road is 26 miles and 8.5 miles by trail." (Albany Democrat-Herald)
October 10, 1986: "Ranger report: Carpenter Mountain Lookout--hit with lightning. Excessive damage, 14 windows blown out, door blown off, steps blown over the side, roof raised off frame. Presently under repair." (McKenzie River Reflections)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 1955
LOCATED ABOUT 23 MI NE. OF VIDA, 18.5 MI SE. OF CASCADIA, 8 MI N.
OF MCKENZIE BRIDGE. ON TOP OF PROMINENT PEAK KNOWN LOCALLY AS
CARPENTER MTN.
TO REACH FROM CASCADIA RANGER STATION, DRIVE 22.8 MI E. ON U.S.
HWY. 20 TO BEAR PASS RD. TAKE BEAR PASS RD. FOLLOWING
MAIN-TRAVELED RD. 4.8 MI TO RD. FORKS. TAKE LEFT FORK 1.2 MI TO
RD. FORKS AT SWITCHBACK. TAKE RIGHT FORK 2.9 MI. TAKE RIGHT FORK
LEAVING MAIN-TRAVELED RD. FOLLOWING TRACK RD. 2 MI TO WOLF
MEADOW. TAKE TRAIL S. UP MOUNTAIN TO TOP AND LOH. A 1 HOUR
45-MINUTE PACK.