CROOK COUNTY
DRAKE BUTTE
Ochoco National Forest
18S-20E-6
18S-20E-6
1923: Telephone line constructed from Tower Point.
July 4, 1929: "Ira Swift is spending two or three days at Pine Creek ranger station on Maury mountain, where he and the lookout-fireman George J. Roba will move the fireman's cabin to the extreme pinnacle of Tamarack point, at which place a wooden tower will also be built in order to better serve that territory with lookout service." (Central Oregonian) Note: Prior to 1930 Drake Butte was known as Tamarack Point.
September 1929: "The Pine Creek cabin has been torn down and moved to the top of Drake Butte where George Roba has made a good looking cabin which we hope will be a fair lookout station. A tower will be built over the cabin next year." (The Ochoconian)
September 11, 1930: "A 40-foot lookout tower is being constructed on Drake Butte in the Maury mountains for the use of the lookout-fireman stationed at that point. This is a much needed improvement, since the lookout now is obliged to use a tree in order to gain enough elevation to see the country for which it is responsible. Messrs. Ira Swift and George Roba are doing the work. (Central Oregonian)
November 1930: "Ira Swift and George Roba recently completed a 40' wood tower on Drake Butte, Maury Unit. This tower, with the exception of the frame house on top, was constructed from round timber secured about 2 miles distant. These timbers, most dead larch, were evidently carefully selected as they are very straight and of uniform size. The bolts were constructed on the job from 5/8 " round iron and the boys used up many linear feet. The base encloses the lookout's cabin and the tower adds considerably to the detection scheme of the Ochoco." (The Ochoconian)
December 1931: "The 40 foot wood lookout tower on Drake Butte was completed this season by Al Frey who was stationed there during the summer. The finishing work, interior and painting, is excellent and the tower and cabin is a model of neatness. The lightning protection was also installed." (The Ochoconian)
July 16, 1942: "Robert Brink, lookout on Drake Butte in the Maury Unit, left his station July 13 to report to a Marine training base." (Central Oregonian)