GRANT COUNTY
RITTER BUTTE
Oregon Department of Forestry
8S-30E-35
8S-30E-35
1950: A three story enclosed lookout house with a 14x14 cab constructed. The distance from the ground to the catwalk measured 20 feet.
1950: "A new aluminum type lookout has been constructed on Ritter Peak." (Agency Newsletter No.14)
1950: "Ritter Butte LO - 8S 30E Sec 35: Aluminum 3 story LO tower. Cost $2532." (Central Oregon District Annual Report)
1956: "Painted floor, guardrails and door on Ritter Butte LO." (Central Oregon District Annual Report)
1957: "Partial painting of the Ritter Butte LO." (Central Oregon District Annual Report)
1959: Linoleum tile installed on the main floor and broken door panels replaced.
July 23, 1959: "Gary Allen of Ritter lookout had an accident Wednesday evening when his pistol, which was in the scabbard on his side, went off hurting his leg. He is in the John Day hospital." + "They are busy laying a tile floor in the Ritter lookout tower." (Heppner Gazette-Times)
1960: The lookout wired to code for electricity. Painted inside and out, a new trap door installed and the shutters were repaired. This station had a busy season with 17 fire reports.
1961: A broken window was replaced. Nine fire reports were turned in.
1962: Only one discovery made this fire season.
1963: A 3 foot by 3 foot concrete base for the outside stairs was installed. Also the lightning arrester system was replaced. Seven first reports were made for the fire season.
1964: This station turned in five first reports this season.
1966: "A small gas and oil house built. A gravity flow shower was installed. Trap door, railings, windows and screens repaired. Painted." (East Central Oregon District Annual Report)
1968: "Ritter Butte LO received a new coat of paint on the exterior." (East Central Oregon District Annual Report)
2017: The lookout not staffed during the fire season. Fire detection camera system installed.