CROOK COUNTY
FOLEY BUTTE
Oregon Department of Forestry
12S-16E-14
12S-16E-14
June 19, 1924: "James prose has again taken up fire guard work on Foley Butte. He and Ranger C.C. Kimmell will immediately construct an extension to the Highland Flat telephone line." (Central Oregonian)
August 21, 1924: "Ranger Kimmell, James Prose and James Newsom have just completed a new telephone line which connects Divide ranger station with what has been named Foley Butte, one of the high points on the Foley-Allen creek divide, and which is being developed as a lookout point. This point has been very useful during the recent heavy electrical storm over the western portion of the Forest and private timberlands outside of the Forest boundary." (Central Oregonian)
July 1927: "A fire finder has been installed on Foley Butte and Ernest McKenzie is having a lot of tree climbing practice. The fire finder, as well as an ordinary truck load of other equipment and supplies, was taken to the top of the butte by Ranger Jin in his Dodge touring car. This is the first car that has ever been able to get to the top of the butte." (The Ochoconian)
1927: The lookout reported three fires during the fire season.
July-August 1928: "During the first part of July a fir tree on Foley Butte was properly decorated with a platform 8'x10' with a good substantial railing around the edge, telephone and fire finder installed. This arrangement will greatly improve the lookout situation from this point, and no fires will get any start in life before Floyd Jones has them reported." (The Ochoconian)
August 29, 1928: "Ranger Anderson and Floyd Jones, lookout-fireman on Foley butte at the head of Allen Creek, have recently completed a platform near the top of a tree on Foley butte, enabling Mr. Jones to enjoy himself in the cool breezes during these hot days by being elevated something like 90 feet above the ground, while the ordinary individual must swelter in the heat." (Central Oregonian)
1929: Guy cables have been added to the lookout tree to make it safer for the lookout man.
July 11, 1929: "The Ochoco national forest will benefit by approximately a 50 percent increase in the improvement, construction and maintenance fund this year, according to the Central Oregonian. Improvements considered for the Ochoco forest include a lookout cabin at Foley butte." (The Bend Bulletin)
1929: A new lookout-fireman cabin is to be constructed this season.
July 7, 1932: "The Raymond Houston family passed through Prineville Monday of last week while on their was to Foley Butte Ranger Station, where he will be employed by the Forest Service." (Central Oregonian)
August 17, 1933: "Construction has been started on a 65-foot lookout tower on Foley Butte. Foreman Ira Swift is in charge of the work." (Central Oregonian)
July 2, 1952: "Construction was started Wednesday on a new lookout tower at Foley Butte, 18 miles north of Prineville which will replace the old tower there. The new structure will be 50 feet high and a 14 feet by 14 feet cabin is being built at the top and equipped with latest fire finding instruments, radio communication and telephone, according to Assistant Fire Warden Ray Stonehocker, in charge of the Prineville unit.
Mrs. Felicia O'Connor is the lookout. Her husband Carrol O'Connor is the fire patrolman assigned there." (Central Oregonian)
Mrs. Felicia O'Connor is the lookout. Her husband Carrol O'Connor is the fire patrolman assigned there." (Central Oregonian)
1952: "Foley Butte Lookout - 12S 16E Sec 14: Costs - labor $1762, material $1916, Total $3678. 50' laminated tower with 14 x 14 cabin." (Central Oregon District Annual Report)
1957: "Painted Foley Lookout." (Central Oregon District Annual Report)
1960: The lookout was painted inside and out. The area around the lookout was cleaned up, and the old logs, lumber, trees and trash were piled up for burning. New signs, posts, and weather station were replaced.
1960: Four fires reported from the lookout station during the fire season.
1961: Old slash and debris from around the lookout was burned.
1962: The lookout failed to turn in any first reports this fire season.
1963: Seven first discoveries made by this lookout station.
1964: A new trap door arrangement put in use.
1965: This station made seven first reports for the fire season.
1966: The gas appliances from Tumalo Butte Lookout transferred to Foley Butte after Tumalo received new electric appliances. A new garbage pit dug.
1966: Two first discoveries made from this station.