DUTCHMAN'S PEAK
Jackson County - Rogue River National Forest - 40S-2W-36
1916: Harold D. Foster, forest examiner, discusses the pros and cons of having a lookout on Dutchman Peak. "The site is not within the Crater National Forest and would not replace either Wagner or Yellowjacket, but has advantages." (The Fire Lookout System on the Crater National Forest, Harold D. Foster, 1916)
1922: A part of the report on the Dutchman Peak addition to the Crater National Forest, dated February 24, 1922:
1) Location and area.
The area recommended for addition to the Crater National Forest includes the S 1/2 SW 1/4 Sec. 36, T.40 S., R.2 W., W.M., totaling 80 acres. The area lies on the divide between the Little Applegate River and Elliott Creek near the summit of the Siskiyou Mountains.
6) Uses.
The area is especially valuable for a fire lookout station as it includes Dutchman Peak, which rises 200 feet above the surrounding ridge. From this point practically the entire Applegate River drainage basin is visible.
7) Settlement.
There is no settlement on the area. These lands are owned by William Spaulding of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The First National Bank of Grants Pass is the local agent.
10) Administration.
This area would become a [art of the Big Applegate District and be administered as such
11) Conclusions and recommendations.
About two and one-half miles west of Dutchman Peak is Yellowjacket Lookout. This point, while it covers a large scope of country, does not overlook the heads of the Little Applegate River, Glade Creek, McDonald Creek, or Silver Fork. Dutchman Peak not only commands a view of all the country seen from Yellowjacket but all that mentioned as invisible from the latter. It will thus be evident that the acquisition of the area embracing Dutchman Peak is very desirable from a protection stand point.
I am unable to discuss the means by which this land may be acquired.
Respectfully submitted
H.M. Johnson
Forest Examiner.
February 24, 1922
1927: A D-6 cupola lookout house constructed.
1930: "Some five years ago, the Crater Forest decided to use Dutchman's Peak as a lookout station. The county (Jackson), which was the owner of the tax title, donated the land, furnishing a quit claim deed, and funds were allotted to construct a lookout house. It looked like a simple transaction - land really worthless - nobody would even pay taxes on it - but that was five years ago.
"Meanwhile, the record has gained the proportions of a book of federal statutes. The assistant to the solicitor passed five times on the title, and then did not pass it ---; the solicitor of the 6th Department and the Attorney General also took a turn looking the gift horse in the mouth and when they all got through, we had swapped horses on the road about four times. The only part of the original transaction was the land, and the county had recorded two deeds conveying it and still owned it; at least the Solicitor thought so... On March 27 Judge Sparrow wrote the supervisor; 'Will say this is the toughest Dutchman to let go of that I ever met. We are now re-advertising it. This will require about thirty days; after that we hope to deliver this Dutchman signed and sealed forever.'
"We hope so too, but the Dutchman still has the whole blockade to run again, and there is still room for a lot of things to happen before the Secretary of the Treasury will write him down in his little black book as belonging..." (In a letter dated October 29, the Attorney General accepted title to the 80 acre tract which Jackson County had agreed to donate five years previously,)" (The History of the Rogue River National Forest, Vol. 2)
"Meanwhile, the record has gained the proportions of a book of federal statutes. The assistant to the solicitor passed five times on the title, and then did not pass it ---; the solicitor of the 6th Department and the Attorney General also took a turn looking the gift horse in the mouth and when they all got through, we had swapped horses on the road about four times. The only part of the original transaction was the land, and the county had recorded two deeds conveying it and still owned it; at least the Solicitor thought so... On March 27 Judge Sparrow wrote the supervisor; 'Will say this is the toughest Dutchman to let go of that I ever met. We are now re-advertising it. This will require about thirty days; after that we hope to deliver this Dutchman signed and sealed forever.'
"We hope so too, but the Dutchman still has the whole blockade to run again, and there is still room for a lot of things to happen before the Secretary of the Treasury will write him down in his little black book as belonging..." (In a letter dated October 29, the Attorney General accepted title to the 80 acre tract which Jackson County had agreed to donate five years previously,)" (The History of the Rogue River National Forest, Vol. 2)
1930: The following six letters are on file at the Supervisors Office of the Rogue River National Forest.
1) A letter from County Judge, Alex Sparrow to U.S. Attorney in Portland dated August 15, 1030:
"Dear Sir:
I have read with interest a letter of June 21st, to C.J. Buck of the Forest Service relative to Dutchman's Peak and right here and now I feel impelled to call the writer of that epistle a few names only used by our best families, but will wait for an opportunity to deliver that message orally.
The deed enclosed herewith is about the fifteenth offered to our dear old Uncle for land that he occupied for years, the cost of the first one was $1.00, we have added about $5.00 for each succeeding deed which, of course, goes to the Abstract Company, the poor underpaid and overworked County Officials have done their duty for the honor of the County and the Glory of the Department of Justice.
What I started out to say is this: that if fifteen more or less deeds for this Dutchman's Peak are not sufficient to insure Uncle Sam's undisputed title and possession we will forget it and he should consider this a notice to fold his tent and move off so that the County Officials may look for another game of twiddle-dee or twiddle-dum.
In conclusion will say that regardless of what the Honorable Department of Justice may think of our last and final effort at an acceptable deed, we do expect the seventy-five dollars.
Yours very Respectfully,
Alex Sparrow, County Judge'
2) A letter from the Regional Forester to the Forester in Washington D.C. dated September 23, 1930:
"Dear Sir:
Enclosed is deed, abstract of the title and a letter from the Assistant United States Attorney in the matter of the purchase of 80 acres..... From Jackson County for administrative purposes. The approval of the title by the Attorney General and the Secretary's approval of the purchase is desired in order that payment may be made.
This tract was originally offered the Forest Service as a donation; the title being rejected by the Attorney General on March 21, 1927. Incidentally, this is the fifth deed which the County officers have executed conveying the land to the United States.
The consideration involved is $75. The tract has been in possession of the Forest Service since 1927, at which time a lookout station was constructed on the peak.
Very truly yours,
C.J. Buck, Regional Forester,
By John D. Gutherie, Acting"
3) A letter to the Attorney General dated October 3, 1930:
"Sir:
With its letter dated February 15, 1927, this department transmitted to you for an opinion as to the validity of title, a quit claim deed and abstract of the title to the S1/2SW1/4, Sec. 36, T. 49 S., R. 2W., W.M., Oregon, known as 'Dutchman's Peak Lookout,' within the Crater National Forest. By said deed Jackson County, Oregon, transferred all its title to the United States, it being the intention, at that time, to donate the land to the United States for use in the administration of the National Forest, as per the act of March 3, 1925 (43 Stat. p.1132).
With this letter of March 21, 1927, the Attorney General returned said deed to this department, stating: 'In my judgment the authority of the county court to make the donation is questionable. In circumstances I cannot recommend its acceptance.'
Subsequently the matter was taken up with the proper authorities, resulting in the proposed purchase of this tract by the United States from Jackson County, Oregon and a warranty deed was executed on July 9, 1930, and recorded July 15, 1930.
It appearing that sufficient title has been granted the United States by said warranty deed, the record is again submitted to you for your opinion as to the sufficiency thereof. In event you approve this title nothing remains to be done except the payment to the grantor, the purchase price of $75.
Respectfully,
Acting Secretary"
4) A portion of a letter from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Agriculture dated October 29, 1930:
"Dear Mr. Secretary:
I have the honor to report that I have examined the abstract of title to 80 acres of land in Jackson County, Oregon, conveyed to the United States as a site for Crater Dutchman's Peak Lookout Station by the deed dated July 9, 1930, and recorded in said County on July 15, 1930, at 1:10 o'clock P.M., in Book 183 of Deeds at page 586, the consideration is $75.00........"
5) A letter to the Forester, Forest Service, dated November 3, 1930:
"Dear Major Stuart:
There are enclosed copies of the Attorney General's letter of October 29 advising that the United States is now vested with title to 80 acres of land in Jackson County, Oregon, conveyed to the Government by the County Court of Jackson County, Oregon, under deed dated July 9, 1930, the consideration being $75.00. This land is to be used as a site for Crater Dutchman's Peak Lookout Station.
The abstract title and deed are herewith returned.
Very truly yours,
C.W. Boyle,
Acting Solicitor"
6) A letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, dated November 5, 1930:
"Dear Mr. Secretary:
The Forest Service wishes to acquire under Act of March 3, 1925 (43 Stat., 1132), for its administrative needs a tract of land in the State of Oregon which the County of Jackson has conveyed to the United States with the understanding that it is to be paid the amount of $75 therefore. The tract consists of eighty acres being the S1/2 SW1/4 Section 36, Township 40 South, Range 2 West, W.M.
The Forest Service desires to put a fire lookout station on this land. The tract is worth considerably more than the amount purposed to be paid therefore. No other tract in Government ownership is suitable for the requirements of the Forest Service in this locality. The Attorney General by letter of October 29 advised that the United States is now vested with good title to this land.
I recommend that your approval of this purchase be given.
Very sincerely yours,
Roy Headley,
Acting Forester"
May 30, 1930: "Alex Schichtl was packed to Dutchman's Peak last Tuesday, where he will remain as lookout for the forest service during fire season. Mr. Schichtl spent last winter mining at Star Gulch." (Medford Mail Tribune)
September 29, 1930: "The national forest service is installing redwood tanks at all of their lookout stations this fall. The tanks hold about 50 gallons each and are to catch the snow and rain this winter to be used next summer by the men at the station. The tank at Dutchman's Peak was completed just before it started snowing there this week." (Medford Mail Tribune)
June 6, 1931: "Alex Schichtl was packed to Dutchman's Peak lookout Wednesday where he will take up duties as lookout during fire season." (Medford Mail Tribune)
July 31, 1931: "Forest Service lookouts from Mount Wagner and Dutchman's peak in the Siskiyou mountains have reported seeing huge swarms of brown butterflies. At times the swarms have been so great they obscure the sun.
The insects were flying southward, the reports said." (Statesman Journal)
July 24, 1935: "Forest service officials said it was practically impossible to keep protection fuses in telephone lines. The lightning was said to have blown out four fuses in a hour at Dutchman Peak lookout." (Medford Mail Tribune)
July 26, 1935: "Mrs. Leonard Andrews and son Allan from Dutchman's peak lookout spent several days in Ashland, returning in time for breakfast on the towering mountain." (Medford Mail Tribune)
July 26, 1935: "Out of freakish weather conditions existing in the thunderstorm earlier this week, Dutchman's Peak lookout station maintained a record of the coldest weather in the state, with a temperature of 48 degrees at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to a Portland weather bureau report broadcast from Corvallis. Lookouts at this peak and at Mt. Wagner reported snow during the storm.
Members of the forest service personnel situated in the mountains were kept in a flurry maintaining telephone service, with lightning burning fuses from practically every lookout and guard station telephone in this district. Leonard Andrews and Harlin Clark at Dutchman's Peak and Wagner lookouts were forced to repair their 'phone repeatedly, and the line was burned into in the vicinity of Camp Carberry." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 15, 1936: "Wind blowing at 35 miles an hour this morning toppled the shelter housing weather instruments of the Rogue river national forest service at Dutchman's Peak lookout station on the Siskiyou summit west of Ashland. The wind gauge outside the shelter also was blown over." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 17, 1935: "Five foot snow drifts were reported in the Siskiyous Tuesday by Leonard Andrews, Dutchman's Peak lookout, with eight inches on the level." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 4, 1936: "Vernon Pierce from Dead Indian is in charge at Dutchman's Peak after Leonard Andrews moved to Tallowbox." (Medford Mail Tribune)
June 25, 1937: "Maurice Fox of Portland was a weekend guest of John Harr. Both are making headquarters at Perk's Pasture guard station at present while employed in trail repair. Mr. Fox will act as lookout at Dutchman's Peak during the summer." (Medford Mail Tribune)
1937: A five man crew from the Applegate CCC camp constructed a garage and woodshed at a cost of $200.00."
June 10, 1938: "Bill Aicken of Medford at Dutchman's Peak lookout. Men at Anderson Butte and Dutchman's Peak will have cars and will be expected to go to fires in their locality." (Medford Mail Tribune)
July 8, 1938: "Snow drifts previously blocked the road to Dutchman's Peak summit, and Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Cameron, formerly of Oklahoma and now of Rogue River valley, were the first to drive their car up the south slope of the peak to its pinnacle dwelling. Words could not express their appreciation of the beauty of Rogue River valley as seen from the Siskiyou mountain top. They stated that the scenery had not been equaled since they crossed the Rockies en route to Jackson County, and they were exceptionally pleased with the fact that Dutchman's Peak is not a snake infested area. Bill Aichen, in charge of the lookout, also appreciated the southern hospitality of his guests, having been presented with a chocolate cake by Mrs. Cameron." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 20, 1941: "Up on Dutchman Peak on the Ashland loop drive it was still warm and dry when the lookout, Robert L. Dowell, and his wife retired Saturday night. When they woke up yesterday morning the ground was covered with 14 inches of snow. Hurriedly they loaded their car with their belongings and started out. Fifty yards from the station they got got stuck in a four-foot snow drift.
Dowell went back to the station and called the Star ranger station. Ranger Lee Port set out in a fire truck, thinking he could break his way through the snow and tow the stranded car out of the drift. Mr. Port, however, had to give up the attempt within a mile of the Dutchman Peak lookout. Parking the fire truck, Mr. Port hiked the remaining distance and lent a hand to Mr. and Mrs. Dowell in packing out on foot what belongings they could carry. They were constantly harassed by the blizzard which seemed to increase in intensity the harder they tried to finish the job.
The three finally got back to the Star ranger station but the Dowell car, loaded with personal belongings is still stuck in the drift. Mr. Port, waiting for the storm to subside, will attempt to get the car out tomorrow." (Medford Mail Tribune)
Dowell went back to the station and called the Star ranger station. Ranger Lee Port set out in a fire truck, thinking he could break his way through the snow and tow the stranded car out of the drift. Mr. Port, however, had to give up the attempt within a mile of the Dutchman Peak lookout. Parking the fire truck, Mr. Port hiked the remaining distance and lent a hand to Mr. and Mrs. Dowell in packing out on foot what belongings they could carry. They were constantly harassed by the blizzard which seemed to increase in intensity the harder they tried to finish the job.
The three finally got back to the Star ranger station but the Dowell car, loaded with personal belongings is still stuck in the drift. Mr. Port, waiting for the storm to subside, will attempt to get the car out tomorrow." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 21, 1941: "Lookout Robert L. Dowell's car, stranded and abandoned in a snowdrift at the Dutchman Peak lookout station Sunday morning, was towed out last evening by a team of mules under the engineering of Lee Port, Applegate district ranger.
The car was tower a mile and a half before it could function under its own power. The snow ranged in the mile and a half stretch from a depth of 16 inches to 4 1/2 feet in drifts, Mr. Port said. Mr. Port was accompanied on the trek by Dowell and Herbert J. Pennings, a fire guard at the Star ranger station." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 23, 1941: "Ranger Lee Port used a team of mules to tow out the snow stranded auto belonging to Robert L. Dowell, lookout at Dutchman Peak on the Ashland loop drive." (Medford Mail Tribune)
Activated: August 11, 1942; Deactivated: October 16, 1943. Roseburg Filter Center.
1942: The garage was converted into living quarters for the AWS station. Mr. and Mrs. Slim Dowell spent the winter at the lookout as AWS observers.
October 16, 1943: The Aircraft Warning Service Station "Nan 6-5" was inactivated. The service had utilized existing facilities owned by the Forest Service. At the end of service all improvements reverted back to the Forest Service for continued use for the detections of wildfires. (Report of the Aircraft Warning Service Stations, May 1, 1944)
1983: The use of the telephone line discontinued.