GRANT COUNTY
PELLET POINT
Malheur National Forest
10S-32E-22
10S-32E-22
March 12, 1943: "We are planning to relocate our Flat Camp Fireman to Pellet Point which lies east of Whiskey Flat in the SW1/4 Section 22, T.10S., R.32E. and to construct a standard lookout house and tower at that point. With present restrictions on construction, we see the possibility of constructing a standard tower of native timber during this season, largely through contributed effort. We wish to inquire if you have a 14'x14' lookout house on hand which you could transfer to us to complete this project. As you know, this lookout will be highly effective for detection in the Middle Fork John Day area, covering considerable area on the Whitman now blind, as is that in Lick Creek. A seen-area sketch map is attached. Additional seen area between Armstrong and Huckleberry Creeks is not sketched, owing to intervening timber which will be cleared when the project is completed." (Memo to Supervisor, Whitman N.F. from Supervisor, Malheur N.F.)
March 20, 1943: "We have a 14 x 14 lookout house stored at Blue Mountain Ranger Station and which can be transferred to you, but it is not complete. Most of the hardware is missing, and perhaps even part of the millwork but it will be a start toward development of Pellet Point. This building was declared surplus in a report to Portland last year and therefore will probably have to be cleared through the Regional Forester.
The occupation of this point will provide additional detection which is valuable to the lower end of the Blue Mountain District but we feel the visibility map is too optimistic about seeing into the creek bottoms to the extent you have shown. But in any event, the detection will be better in that area than what now exists, and if the lookout house with such shortage as exist can be of assistance to you, then let's make use of it." (Memo to Supervisor, Malheur N.F. from Supervisor, Whitman N.F.)
April 1, 1943: "Reference is made to Mr. Lindh's F-Plans, Re-planning memorandum of October 7, 1942 approving location of Pellet Point Lookout-Fireman station and to the attached request for approval of protection structures at this point.
We propose construction of the type RT-1 native timber tower from Douglas-fir and larch timber cut in the vicinity.
We are requesting transfer of a standard 14'x14' lookout house to us from surplus on the Whitman and wish approval of construction plans for both the 40' native timber tower and the lookout house. Please advise us weather you could assist us to the extent of furnishing the necessary bill of hardware for this 40-foot tower. We have no funds on hand for purchase of this material and plan to complete construction through the use of contributed time. We have on hand the following items: Nails as required, 15 9/16" cable clips, 50 5/8" malleable washers, and 26 2 1/2" Teco split rings.
We would appreciate your early action on these requests so that we may make our plans." (Memo to Regional Forester from Acting Supervisor, Malheur N.F.)
April 1, 1943: "We are requesting approval today from the Regional Forester for construction of a native timber tower and 14'x14' lookout house at our newly approved Pellet Point Lookout-Fireman station.
Supervisor Simpson of the Whitman has informed us that a 14'x14' lookout house which is stored at Blue Mountain Ranger Station was reported to you as surplus last year. We wish to request your approval of transfer of this lookout house to us for use at Pellet Point. The truck haul involved would be slightly over 20 miles." (Memo from Acting Forest Supervisor, Malheur N.F. to Operations, Regional)
April 8, 1943: "There is enclosed Form R6-01 giving approval for the construction of lookout house and tower at Pellet Point and 2 copies of plans submitted by the Division of Engineering for use in this construction. The Division of Fire Control has approved the construction.
This office has no funds to assist you in purchasing hardware or other items for this job. If the job is undertaken, it will have be from sources available to you and from your own allotments. It is regretted that we cannot assist you in the purchase of hardware, but in view of the possibility that the Region may have to finance overtime pay, we cannot possibly justify diverting any regular money to improvement construction.
If the Whitman is willing to release to you their surplus standard 14x14 lookout house, you may make arrangements directly with Supervisor Simpson for its shipment to you. You should be prepared to take care of necessary cost of shipment. A copy of this memorandum is being sent to Supervisor Simpson for his information." (Memo to Forest Supervisor, Malheur N.F. from Operations, Regional)
April 26, 1943: "We plan to check the lookout house material stored at Blue Mtn. R.S. for shortages at the first opportunity. When roads are open to travel we will plan to haul the material to Pellet Point and will inform you of those plans when made." (Memo to Forest Supervisor, Whitman N.F. from Forest Supervisor Malheur N.F.)
This tower may not have been constructed with World War II in full swing, shortage of labor and materials.