DESCHUTES COUNTY
EAST BUTTE
Deschutes National Forest
22S-14E-13
22S-14E-13
August 9, 1930: An emergency lookout was stationed on the Butte.
August 12, 1930: "Construction of five lookout houses, two guard cabins and several telephone lines is planned by the Deschutes national forest for the coming fall. winter and early spring, Carl B. Neal, supervisor, announced today."
A standard lookout house for lookout fireman to be erected on East Butte. (Morning Oregonian)
April 20, 1931: "This spring, a road will be built to East butte and a lookout-fireman will be stationed at that point." (The Bulletin)
1933: A 14 x 14 gable-roof lookout cabin was constructed on a 30-foot round timber tower.
1934: A standard plan T-1E wood frame garage was built at the lookout site.
September 1938: " The Paulina District has long been noted for its fast burning fires, and though their firemen are equally fast, they are modest hombres and seldom boast of their ability as smoke eaters. Such a speed record was made during a recent lightning storm that we feel the boys should be complimented on their action.
Excerpts from the 929 on fire #15-P are given below: Time of origin: July 16, 4:16 p.m.; Discovered by Elsasser from East Butte, distance 450’, July 16 – 4:17 p.m.; Report time – 2 minutes; Getaway time – 1 minute; Travel time – 2 minutes; Corral time – 3 minutes; Control time – 8 minutes; Fire out July 16 – 4:30 p.m. Time from lightning strike to fire out – 14 minutes. Area – 4 square feet. C.E. Hein" (Six Twenty-Six)
1941: The lookout received 1.03 inches of rain over the weekend of August 16th and 17th.
October 21, 1959: "Deschutes Lookout Honored -- Sylvia Andrews, lookout on East Butte in the Fort Rock district, on Tuesday received an award of $100 in recognition for work 'beyond the call of duty' this past summer. From her lookout on East Butte, she relayed messages to and from the big Aspen Flat fire, and also kept fire fighters in touch with changing conditions on the fire front. The check was presented by Ranger Henry Tonseth." (The Bend Bulletin)
February 14, 1992: "The Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest is asking for written comments on a plan to replace the East Butte Lookout tower and cabin this summer.
The lookout 31 miles southeast of Bend was built in 1932. In 1990, an inspection of the tower and cab revealed the structure had deteriorated and posed safety risks.
A new lookout is proposed about 125 feet northwest of the existing East Butte lookout. Another option is to restore and relocate the existing structure." (The Bulletin)
1995: The lookout duties were transferred to Fox Butte. In the spring the tower was cut down and the cabin burned. Construction of a new lookout of similar design was begun.
1996: The new lookout tower was finished and duties were returned from Fox Butte. Paul and Chris Boring finished the fire season.
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1938 (LAM)
THIS INTERSECTED POSITION IS CENTER OF U.S.F.S. EAST BUTTE LOOKOUT TOWER, ABOUT 25 MILES AIR LINE SE OF BEND, AND REACHED OVER FOREST ROADS. TOWER IS ABOUT 45 FEET HIGH, OVERALL, AND IS ON SUMMIT OF EAST BUTTE, PROMINENT CONICAL MOUNTAIN.
CALLED CHINA HAT LOOKOUT IN LIST OF DIRECTIONS OF STATION PILOT BUTTE. (LETTER OF L.A.MC A. 11/27/36)
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1938 (LAM)
THIS INTERSECTED POSITION IS CENTER OF U.S.F.S. EAST BUTTE LOOKOUT TOWER, ABOUT 25 MILES AIR LINE SE OF BEND, AND REACHED OVER FOREST ROADS. TOWER IS ABOUT 45 FEET HIGH, OVERALL, AND IS ON SUMMIT OF EAST BUTTE, PROMINENT CONICAL MOUNTAIN.
CALLED CHINA HAT LOOKOUT IN LIST OF DIRECTIONS OF STATION PILOT BUTTE. (LETTER OF L.A.MC A. 11/27/36)