LANE COUNTY
GRASS MOUNTAIN
Willamette National Forest
23S-2E-11
23S-2E-11
August 13, 1933: "A 50-foot lookout tower on Grass mountain is about three-fourths completed, it was reported by the engineer." (The Eugene Guard)
August 15, 1933: "In the way of construction, the officials found the C.C.C. men at work on a 52-foot wooden lookout tower on Grass mountain. The work is being done under the direction of Foreman Gerald Huffman and every bit of material was packed over the Packard creek trail, a distance of nine miles." (The Eugene Guard)
June 19, 1949: "An experiment in dropping supplies to a Willamette National Forest lookout was successfully completed this weekend, Forest Service officials announced.
Green Flying Service dropped two packages totaling 61 pounds of food and supplies to Don McChesney, Springfield, the lookout on Grass Mt. This station is located on the divide between the Umpqua and Willamette Rivers, and could not be reached by packhorses because snow is still too deep.
The pilot hit within 20 feet of the target on the first drop. And within ten feet on the second drop.
The Forest Service is using planes for observation and for delivery of supplies more and more, officials said." (Eugene Register-Guard)
Green Flying Service dropped two packages totaling 61 pounds of food and supplies to Don McChesney, Springfield, the lookout on Grass Mt. This station is located on the divide between the Umpqua and Willamette Rivers, and could not be reached by packhorses because snow is still too deep.
The pilot hit within 20 feet of the target on the first drop. And within ten feet on the second drop.
The Forest Service is using planes for observation and for delivery of supplies more and more, officials said." (Eugene Register-Guard)
1962: "A lookout house and tower was built to replace an old ground house and tower at Grass Mountain, in the Rigdon Ranger District. About 48,000 pounds of sand, gravel, timbers, lumber, wire, concrete and other materials were hauled on the backs of mules to the summit." (Annual Report, 1962)
1962: A 40-foot treated timber tower with a R-6 flat roof cab constructed.
1967: "This lookout is in good condition, but we do not man it. As of this last spring, the lookout has been without lightning protection; and we would like to dispose of it." (Lookout Inspection Survey)
October 22, 1968: "We have not yet reached a decision on disposition of the Grass Mtn. structure; it is comparatively new, constructed in 1962, and we would like to salvage it for use on Logger Butte if possible. We plan to explore this possibility and will reach a decision on disposal by July 1, 1969." (Report to Regional Forester from Forest Engineer)
1980’s: An attempt to move the lookout to Warner Ridge failed. Materials were salvaged and used in the construction of the new Warner Ridge tower.