COOS COUNTY
MOUNT BOLIVAR
Coos FPA > Siskiyou National Forest
32S-10W-14
32S-10W-14
February 1914: "I would like to know whether any of the boys have had any experience with galvanized water tanks also described in this article. I am considering the ability if recommending one to be placed on Mt. Bolivar. Water may be found near the summit during June, but in July one must descend a quarter of a mile or more to find water." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
June 1914: "I will go on Mt. Bolivar and install map and sighting device and instruct Guard Price in their use and aquaint him with the surrounding country. R.I. Helm, District Ranger" (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
July 1914: "On June 18 a small smoke was seen from Mt. Bolivar while there installing an Osborne Oregon Fire Finder. A man by the name of Porter, being the only man available at Mule Creek, was engaged to go to the fire, as he could reach it within an hour's time. Failing to receive word from him I made inquiry and found that he had changed his mind and concluded he did not want to fight fire and did not go near the fire. This has taught me a lesson. Hereafter I shall not engage an irresponsible or unknown person to look after a fire. Fortunately the fire died from natural causes. R.I. Helm, District Ranger" (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
July 1914: "An Oregon fire finder temporarily installed on Mt. Bolivar, to be permanently installed after lookout building is erected by Mr. Price. By the way, the erection of the lookout building on top of a timberless and almost perpendicular mountain top is somewhat an undertaking. Have compassion for the man who has to carry shakes for a quarter mile up such a mountain and don't expect too fine a job." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
August 1914: "Mt. Bolivar Lookout has reported 22 fires, 8 inside and 14 outside the Forest." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
July 1914: "I found the compass absolutely useless on Bolivar, It registering 30 degrees off, and it was necessary to orient the map by sighting on known points. Ranger Helm" (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
November 1, 1914: "The lookout station cabin on Mt. Bolivar has recently been completed. It is 12 feet square set on bed rock. Each corner is guyed with No. 9 wire set in solid bed rock. The cabin on the lower sides is boarded up to a distance of three feet. Between the boards and the roof there is an opening of about the same size. It is planned to use canvas curtains to cover this opening when needed. The roof is of the square hip style. The fire finder will be mounted in the center of the cabin. Directly over it the telephone will be suspended from the rafters." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
December 1914: "For the information of Mr. Jones or others having lookout stations to construct, description of the Bolivar lookout is given: It was constructed by the only material available, white fir for posts, plates. Sills and rafters and sugar pine for shakes. The frame material was carried up the steep slopes of Bolivar from 100 to 200 yards and shakes were carried about 1/4 mile. This was accomplished by the guard taking up a load each time he came to the lookout. The building is 12'x12'. Sides are boarded up 3 feet leaving space of 3 1/2 feet for observation. This space to be enclosed in stormy weather by a canvas curtain which may be rolled up during good weather. Building has a square roof. The surface of Bolivar is solid rock and the building is anchored by running number 9 telephone wire from each corner rafter in line therewith to an anchor bolt in the rock. Telephone instrument is attached to a heavy board extending downward from the center of the rafters, and the fire finder mounted directly underneath it. The cost was as follows:
Forest officers labor $39.80
Administration .42
Temporary labor 25.00
Nails .50
Total $64.80
Since to secure the greatest efficiency from the lookouts the buildings should be of sufficient size to permit this. Economy of space may be worked to a nicety. Alcohol stoves using solidified alcohol may be used for cooking purposes. Bed and table may be hinged to the wall." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
August 1915: "A water tank has just been erected on Mt. Bolivar for furnishing water for the lookout man. This, I believe, is the first one to be installed on this forest. The tank is of 1600 gallons capacity and has been placed about 60 feet below the summit of the mountain and in such a position that the water may be drawn by means of a bucket sliding by pulley on a number 9 wire. It is expected to fill the tank with snow during late May or early June. It will still be necessary to bring drinking water about three-eights of a mile from the spring below." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
May 1916: "On May 26 I went on Mt. Bolivar for the purpose of filling the tank with snow. I found tons of snow but the tank was not there. A snow slide carried it down the hillside about 300 feet and a closer examination of it made me think of a silk hat after an Irish 'wake'. However, it seemed worth saving and an effort is being made to hoist it back with block and tackle and to 'reblock' it. It was located under a bluff where there seemed but little danger from slides. So, boys, take warning and don't leave anything loose on the lookouts, stake it down.
While on Bolivar I found the iron mine telephone on strike, the ringer handle refused to move. Thanks to Mr. Allen's personal instructions in the office last fall I was able, by the aid of a i6 inch file and a case knife, to take out the armature and dissect it. I found the heavy galvanized casing around the armature coil so badly rusted that the coil could not revolve. District Ranger" (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
August 1917: "Bolivar lookout has been taken off the lookout and put patrolling the Gold Mountain fire. His average range of vision for the month of August at 6 am was about 3 miles, which was considerably higher than for any other hour of the day. During the first half of the month it was possible to get a fairly good view early in the morning at least once a week, but since that time the smoke has become chronic. A fire may burn a week or more before it is reported." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
September 1918: "A lookout building is badly needed on Mt. Boliver.
During October I intend making a trip to Bolivar to pack in the fire finder and other equipment. Agness District, Ranger Helm" (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
November 1918: "I am hoping to get a suitable building on Bolivar next spring, for I realize that it is impossible to get satisfactory results from the lookouts unless they are suitably housed. I have no allotment for the building, but have some lumber at Eden Valley Ranger Station for a starter. Ranger Helm" (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
July 5,1921: "Four fire finders have been received by the local forestry office for distribution to the various lookout stations in the county. By the use of these instruments the lookouts will be able to definitely place the fire before phoning in his information to the office. Bolivar Mountain received one of them." (Grants Pass Daily Courier)
December 21, 1925: "The lookout stations maintained by Coos FPA are as follows: Mt. Bollivar, near Eden Valley." (The Coos Bay Times)
May 1928: "At last the new house for Mt. Bolivar lookout is looming on the horizon, figuratively, if not literally speaking. The old shake cabin was so small that there was not room for a bed, the lookout sleeping on a couple boards hung up in one corner where the wind blowing under the eaves gave plenty of fresh air.
It is planned to pack in ready-cut material from West Fork. A crew is rushing the new section of the Cold Spring Trail through to completion in order to facilitate the packing." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
July 1928: "The Mt. Bolivar Lookout house is almost done, and before next edition goes to press the lookout will be moved in. Those who are acquainted with the old house will appreciate the improvement, and those who are not can't." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
August 1928: "The Bolivar lookout house is finished and the lookout moved in. Bob is doing the painting, and putting on the finishing touches." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
September 7, 1928: "The Bolivar forest lookout station has been completed and is now in use. The station is at an elevation of 5000 feet and is located on the West Fork trail near Eden Valley. Nearly all the materials for the building were purchased in Grants Pass, the lumber being cut to size at the three C's Lumber Company and put in 40 bundles. They were packed in 20 miles on horse back. The station is on top of a high peak which gives a fine command of the surrounding forests." (Grants Pass Daily Courier)
1928: A D-6 style lookout house was packed in from West Fork and constructed on a 10-foot tower. The cost was around $1200.00, about half of which went for packing.
December 1928: "Mt. Bolivar had five first discoveries and two second reports this fire season to lead all lookouts on the Forest." (The Siskiyou Bulletin)
June 20, 1934: "Andrew Flynn, who has been a clerk at the CCC district headquarters for the past six months, has received a position as lookout with the forest service on Bolivar mountain, near Powers." (Medford Mail Tribune)
May 1940: "Position is located in the driest section of this district and some good seen area is available from it. Strangely enough while several fires occur on all sides of this seen area the point cannot see any of them directly. There is a considerable area of above average rate of spread fuels, and fairly long manning is fully justified on its account. In 1938 and 1939 this position was manned prior to June 1, and has always been manned until September 30 or later." (Plans, Guard Placement, Siskiyou National Forest)
1941: The lookout station was staffed 120 days. The reporting station was the Powers Ranger Station, communications were by West Coast Telephone.
Activated: March 10, 1942; Deactivated: July 16, 1942. Roseburg Filter Center.
July 16, 1942: AWS Station 'George 8-4" was inactivated with recommendation to retain.No AWS improvements were involved. (Report of Aircraft Warning Service Stations, May 1, 1944)
July 30, 1955: "The Forest Service is planning to build a new lookout building on Mt. Bolivar and is getting ready to receive bids for it. According to word from the local station, all construction materials, including paint will be furnished by the service, and will be packed to Mt. Boliver by service personnel. Notice for bids will be posted at the Powers Post Office or may be seen at the Powers Ranger Station, where all information may be had." (The Coos Bay Times)
1957: A new lookout house was constructed.
1958: The lookout building was removed.
