HARNEY COUNTY
KING MOUNTAIN
Malheur National Forest
20S-32E-27
20S-32E-27
July 13, 1923: "The material for the lookout house on King Mt. in the Burns District is now on the ground and Lookout Culp is at work framing the house." (Blue Mountain Eagle)
September 27, 1924: "The King mountain lookout station has been closed for the year and smoke chasers have been relieved from duty." (Burns Times-Herald)
June 10, 1926: "King Mountain lookout station of the U.S. Forest Service, a spot favored by visitors to that section of Harney county because of its commanding view, will be served this season by a newly graded road leading from the base of King Mountain. Work on the new road, which affords an easier grade and better roadway, was completed last week.
County Assessor, Charles W. Loggan, on a field trip over the district Monday, made the trip over the new road to the lookout station. The roadbed is yet soft as the result of recent grader work but he had no difficulty in making the grade in intermediate gear.
A senior in forestry work at Oregon Agricultural College is to be stationed at King Mountain this summer during the fire season, but has not as yet begun his residence at the Mountain top." (Burns News)
1934: A 16 by 18 foot Aladdin plan garage constructed. (Lookout Station - Structural Inventory)
June 28, 1946: "Mrs. Harold Patton and Mrs. Ray McKinnon are to alternate as lookouts on King Mountain." (Burns Times-Herald)
August 14, 1956: "Please advise by August 20 of any particulars you wish included in the bid for erection of the tower and house.
The supply offices advise that we may expect to receive shipment shortly after September 1. We have arranged for Morgan Truck Service to transport directly to King Mountain. You will be advised of delivery date as soon as known so that you can arrange for someone to be available to show the driver where to unload. This should be as close to the erection site as possible." (Memo to District Ranger from Forest Supervisor - Malheur National Forest Archives files)
August 16, 1956: "Reference is made to you memo of 8/14 requesting particulars we wish included in the bid for erection of the tower and house.
Hauling of materials on bid #26 from Burns to King Mountain, should be included. We will have to purchase concrete, sand and gravel for the pier since it was not included on bid #26 and I don't imagine it will come with the tower. Also, we might have to use two types of piers as shown on the plan and resulting in different amounts of concrete, depending on the rock encountered.
I'm afraid that with this late start that it would be difficult to complete the job before winter weather makes it impossible to work at King Mountain." (Memo to Forest Supervisor from District Ranger - Malheur National Forest Archives files)
September 5, 1957: "A 10-foot steel tower topped by a steel cabin is being built by a contractor on King Mountain, on the Drewsey district." (Blue Mountain Eagle)
August 7, 1987: Notes from Structural Inspection 8/4/87 by J. Amann
1. Replace broken window pane at N. side, W. pane. (Opening currently covered with plywood)
2. Install ground jumper (#4 copper solid wire and proper connectors) from lookout metal frame to:
-stove and refrigerator along S. wall and to heater when/if reinstalled.
-Assoc. Oregon Loggers transmitter unit inside cab at third unit from door.
-Fasten ground connector securely at ranger finder with proper bolt.
3. Repair roofing leak showing as damage to firtex ceiling 12 x 12 panels at approx. 2 feet NW of center of ceiling and at other locations previously. Very possible leakage is originating thru one of multitude of bolts/lag fasteners thru metal roof for solar cell frames. Unfasten solar cell frame bolts and bed bolt heads in sealant - approx. 8 hours labor plus sealant. Also reseal cracked original black sealant at roof seams and joints - approx. 1 gallon sealant and 3 hours labor.
4. Install 1/4 " shutoff valves on propane lines inside cab to stove and refrigerator.
5. Replace vinyl flooring in cab (remove existing loose burlap backed vinyl flooring over the plywood subfloor.
6. Replace firtex ceiling (and possibly plywood sheathing) with finished hardboard after roof leaks are sealed.
7. Replace ungrounded metal frame bed with non-metallic frame bed.
8. Remove and rebuild catwalk gatepost for gate to swing toward SE catwalk corner and away from trapdoor opening." (Malheur National Forest Archives files)