SPODUE MOUNTAIN |
Fremont - Winema National Forest; 34S-12E-26
|
September 20, 1964: "Spodue Mountain Lookout was the scene of an open house on Sept. 10, when 34 U.S. Forest Service personnel and guests gathered for a potluck supper.
The agenda also included an inspection of the compact efficiency of the lookout house which was completed Sept. 2. The tower, 11 miles north of Beatty and visible from highway 66, is on the Bly District of the Fremont National Forest and affords fire detection from the Winema and KFPA, as well as the Fremont.
A road was constructed to the top of Spodue Mountain with Accelerated Public Works Program funds in 1963. A trailer house served as living quarters and an open platform supported the fire finder during the 1963 fire season, while the 50-foot tower was under construction.
Ethel Overton is the lookout and her husband, Del, is the smokechaser of this station." (Herald and News)
The agenda also included an inspection of the compact efficiency of the lookout house which was completed Sept. 2. The tower, 11 miles north of Beatty and visible from highway 66, is on the Bly District of the Fremont National Forest and affords fire detection from the Winema and KFPA, as well as the Fremont.
A road was constructed to the top of Spodue Mountain with Accelerated Public Works Program funds in 1963. A trailer house served as living quarters and an open platform supported the fire finder during the 1963 fire season, while the 50-foot tower was under construction.
Ethel Overton is the lookout and her husband, Del, is the smokechaser of this station." (Herald and News)
September 23, 1964: " May we have final construction costs for the Spodue Mountain lookout that was built by force account." (Memo from Regional Operations to the Forest Supervisor)
1964: A 42 foot treated timber lookout tower with R-6 cabin was constructed.
1972: Observations noted on the 1972 lookout condition survey report:
"The south wall has been shoved in toward the cab approximately 4 to 5 inches at the top. The 2x12 braces were not attached to the ceiling joist. There is no evidence of nailing or any other type of fastening of the wall to the 2x12 girders that span the window wall. The only thing that was holding the wall in place at the top was the nailing of the trim on the outside and inside. One window, located in the north wall needs replacing.
Much of the trim on the outside of the cab has worked loose with cracks up to one-half inch wide. This trim should be fastened down with a ring type nail rather than finishing nails which have been used. On the corners there is evidence of the siding being pulled away from the cab with gaps up to three-eights of an inch. Some of the grounding connections on the metal mesh going around the catwalk are loose. The plywood on the floor about three feet in from the door is loose causing the tile to crack. Also in the center of the cab there is the same problem. The edges of the plywood should be nailed down with a ring type nail. The door at the top of the catwalk is off the hinges and should replaced. There is a longitudal crack approximately four feet going through the bolt and ring connector on the inside 2x12 on the east side of the tower right under the cab. The ends of several of the structural members particularly the horizontal members have checks on the end where the bolt goes through. These checks are not wide and with the rings there is no problem at present. The guys have excessive slack. This permits racking of the tower that could be responsible for some of the checking through the bolt holes. Guidance on guying for winter months has been requested from Regional Office. District will be given guidance when received."
1981: Grounding cables laying against sagebrush. Loose connections. These are comments after a lightning protection inspection.
1999: Condition survey report comments on needs, the exterior siding and trim needs painting, PVC drain pipe has separated at joint down the side of the tower, flood light by the door needs to be replaced, need permanent fasteners for the shutters, and the 9”x9” floor tile may be asbestos samples to be tested.
1999: On OSHA’s inspection in September they found a long list of violations:
1- Electrical ground for tower appears to be disconnected.
2- Lightning ground wire for tower is exposed on the northwest corner across driveway and parking area.
3- Handrails and guardrails are 36” high need to be 42” (including steps and catwalks)
4- Water system not grounded.
5- No load rating posted on storage platform.
6- Electrical panel not labeled.
7- No load rating posted on storage shelves.
8- Wood stove clearance from wall is 61/2 inches, need to be 12 inches.
9- 9”x9” floor tile possibly asbestos, it is cracking and chipping.
10- Ground to cook stove and refrigerator disconnected.
11- Repeater control box not grounded.
12- No load rating or certification posted on crane.
13- Fire extinguisher not inspected since 1989 and the unit is a BC, should be a ABC.
14- No smoke alarm or carbon dioxide detector.
15- Flood light by the door at the top has been broken and wires are exposed.
16- Several rounded and broken steps.
17- No guard on stair opening at top.
18- Northwest guy wire not grounded.
The NGS Data Sheet
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1967 (CAA)
STATION IS LOCATED ABOUT 15-1/2 MILES NORTHEAST OF SPRAGUE RIVER,
ABOUT 10-1/2 MILES NORTH OF BEATTY, IN THE BLACK HILLS ATOP OF
SPODUE MOUNTAIN AND JUST EAST OF TRIANGULATION STATION BLACK HILLS
1948.
IS A LOOKOUT HOUSE, SUPPORTED BY FOUR WOODEN LEGS AND 50 FEET IN
HEIGHT.
