JACKSON COUNTY
MOUNT ISABELLE
Southwest Oregon Fire Patrol
37S-3W-31
37S-3W-31
April 26, 1934: "U.S. forest service has completed the survey of a road to the top of Mt. Isabel, where a fire lookout may be constructed, and work is scheduled to begin this coming week." (Medford Mail Tribune)
1934: The lookout tower constructed late in the fall.
June 21, 1935: "The wireless also will be used for communication with Mt. Isabelle lookout built in the Forest Creek section late last fall, which has no outside connections with telephone lines." (Medford Mail Tribune)
September 4, 1935: "Gill Simson of the regional forest service offices at Portland recently supervised the installation of a shortwave radio communication system between Mt. Isabelle lookout on the Applegate and the forest service warehouse in Medford.
Purpose of the installation is for fire protection, which is maintained by regular reports to local officials of the Rogue River National Forest over the broadcasting system, repeated at half hour intervals." (Medford Mail Tribune)
August 31, 1936: "The emergency fire lookout on Mt. Isabell was closed temporarily August 24. Lookouts Vernon Branson and Joe Ipock of Applegate CCC returned to camp after three weeks on duty here." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 25, 1937: "Lee Port recently made a trip to the Mt. Isabelle lookout station where he put the building and its contents in condition for the winter. The lookout, for use only in emergencies, was unoccupied this year." (Medford Mail Tribune)
May 16, 1939: "Albert Young and John Bryne of Star Ranger Station were engaged in cutting out trails on Mt. Isabelle, May 12." (Medford Mail Tribune)
October 8, 1939: "The state forest service, which has taken over the Mt. Isabelle emergency fire lookout, moved equipment last week and attempted the building of a road to the lookout tower. The project has been halted at present writing on account of rain." (Medford Mail Tribune)
July 1, 1940: "The state forest service has completed the telephone line from Rogue River to the Mt. Isabell fire lookout. Harry Wickman of Medford went on duty June 26." (Medford Mail Tribune)
July 30, 1940: "State forest service crew under the direction of Lee Port Jr. last week engaged in developing a spring on the north side of Mt. Isabell, to provide a water supply for the lookout stationed on the mountain. Previously water was packed on horseback to the lookout from Oregon Belle mine." (Medford Mail Tribune)
July 23, 1943: "Added to the 'freak' stories reported from the recent lightning storms was that told by the state lookout at Mt. Isabelle, who stated that four trees standing next to his station were struck by lightning but the station itself was untouched." (Medford Mail Tribune)
1951: Maintenance performed: Paint. (Southwest District Annual Report)
1952: Maintenance performed: Paint interior and exterior, repair stairway. (Southwest District Annual Report)
1955: New stairs installed, $162.30. (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1957: Building maintenance: Shutters and catwalk repaired." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1958: "Building maintenance: Stairs repaired." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1959: "Building maintenance: Complete remodeling." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1960: "Building maintenance: Paint interior." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1961: "Building maintenance: Misc. painting." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1962: "Building maintenance: Repaired shutters." (Southwest Oregon District Annual Report)
1967: The lookout destroyed.