LANE COUNTY
INDIAN RIDGE
Willamette National Forest
18S-5E-18
18S-5E-18
c.1920: An open cupola on a log cabin.
September 5, 1926: "Plans are being made by the national forest service to build a lookout house or tower before next fire season on one of three points in the Cascade forest, according to Nelson F. McDuff, supervisor. It is also expected that a lookout house or tower will be placed at the top of Indian Ridge next year." (The Sunday Oregonian)
July 18, 1928: "Lumber for the lookout house is now being cut out at McKenzie Bridge and placed in bundles for packing to Indian Ridge, where it will be erected. The lumber will be packed about eight miles." (Morning Register)
August 1, 1928: "One piece of concrete work which owners may be sure will not have too much water in it for the amount of cement, gravel and sand is being done in the Cascade national forest.
Work will start today on packing lumber for a lookout house to be built at the top of Indian Ridge in the forest. The lumber has been cut to size at McKenzie Bridge by Mason Warner. Dee Wright and Ed Woods are to pack materials to the top if the ridge, about 12 miles.
All materials for the house must be packed in, including the water for mixing the concrete for foundation. That's why water will probably not be wasted in mixing process. The water is being packed in 10 gallon casks.
Forest officials hope to finish the building this year. A carpenter will probably help frame it and the lookout will finish it." (Morning Register)
Work will start today on packing lumber for a lookout house to be built at the top of Indian Ridge in the forest. The lumber has been cut to size at McKenzie Bridge by Mason Warner. Dee Wright and Ed Woods are to pack materials to the top if the ridge, about 12 miles.
All materials for the house must be packed in, including the water for mixing the concrete for foundation. That's why water will probably not be wasted in mixing process. The water is being packed in 10 gallon casks.
Forest officials hope to finish the building this year. A carpenter will probably help frame it and the lookout will finish it." (Morning Register)
1928: A cathedral style lookout house was constructed. The observation room was 20 feet above the ground.
August 22, 1933: Panorama photos taken by Robert Snyder.
October 13, 1935: "Prince Glaze, who has been in charge of Indian Ridge lookout, has returned to his home." (The Eugene Register-Guard)
1958: A 22-foot laminated 2x10 timber tower with a R-6 flat roof cab was erected.
June 28, 1959: "It took a lot of doing to build a new lookout tower on Indian Ridge, about 12 miles southeast of Blue River, but now it sits high and proud on the mountain. Of a new, flat-top design, the house-on-stilts features insulation, a little more space than most lookouts and is a design hailed by the U. S. Forest Service as the 'best yet.'
When it came time to take the long supporting timbers up, the mules were packed 'tandem,' with several mules carrying the same load. Bob Gauge, the packer." (The Eugene Guard)
September 25, 1967: "We wish to maintain Indian Ridge as a primary lookout." (Memo to Forest Supervisor from Fire Control Officer, Blue River)
