CLALLAM COUNTY
BLYN
Department of Natural Resources
29N-2W-18
29N-2W-18
1933: The Washington Forest Fire Association cooperated with the Civilian Conservation Corps in the construction of the lookout tower on Blyn Mountain.
1934: "During the month of October, a violent wind storm swept part of the State, blowing down an estimated total of 500,000,000 board feet of timber. Wind velocities reached 74 miles per hour, and as the towers are on peak elevations, they were subjected to abnormal strains. All towers came through except one. In this case, the wind picked up the lookout cabin, and hurled it against one of the tower legs, at the 25 foot panel brace. The cabin was carried over 40 feet in elevation and over 100 feet in distance by the wind before it struck the tower, The cabin was literally blown apart, floor, roof and walls being separated into units. This was the new lookout tower at Blyn Mountain. It will be reconstructed in the spring of 1935." (27th Annual Report of the Washington Forest Fire Association)
Activated: August 12, 1942. Port Angeles Filter Center.
Air Warning Service Station "X-ray 5-0" utilized existing structures owned by the State of Washington. A 12 x 20 garage was added using AWS funds. At the end of serv ice the site was retained by the State. (from Report of AWS Stations, May 1, 1944)
June 19, 1957: "Three fire lookouts are now in operation in this area reports E. Rodney Downen, district administrator for the State Department of Natural Resources.
Blyn lookout is manned by Olga Hughett." (Port Angeles Evening News)
Blyn lookout is manned by Olga Hughett." (Port Angeles Evening News)
June 13, 1960: "Olga Hughes is spending her ninth year at Blyn lookout." (Port Angeles Evening News)
1960: A 40-foot timber tower with a 14 x 14 foot live-in cab constructed.
1958-60: "The lookout construction work is performed by the Department's own carpentry crew. In the past two years, the crew completed nine lookouts at a cost averaging $8,000 apiece, one of which is located at Blyn, Clallam County." (2nd Biennial Report Washington Department of Natural Resources)
September 21, 1966: "Ann Forest, 19, came down from her mountain top Monday after spending the summer as a fire lookout.
Her home for the past three and a half months has been a 14-foot square glass-walled room at the top of the 45 foot Blyn lookout tower." (Port Angeles Evening News)
October 5, 1966: "Karen Ronning is the fire lookout at the Blyn Tower since Ann Forest left for school. Karen, who came from Skidder Hill lookout, is the granddaughter of Olga Hughett who was the lookout at Blyn for 14 years, and was trained by her.
According to Jack Barnes of the Natural Resources Department, during thunder storms, such as last week's, the lookouts are instructed to stay up on a stool that is grounded. The tower is also grounded for safety from lightning." (Port Angeles Evening News)
April 26, 1968: "Detection services begin May 1 with Ted Bradshaw manning Blyn Lookout for his eighth year of lookout service. The lookout will be manned mainly for communication purposes with the area covered by airplane when conditions dictate." (Port Angeles Evening News)
May 7, 1968: "The Blyn Fire Lookout was built in 1934 by the State Department of Natural Resources, and a second and improved lookout was built in 1960. Depending upon weather conditions, the station is manned from May to October." (Port Angeles Evening News)
October 25, 1968: "During the fire season of 1968, there was one lookout, Blyn Mountain, in operation in the Port Angeles District. With the installation of the new FM radio network, the lookouts will no longer be needed to relay radio messages. Starting with the 1969 season, for the first time there will be no lookouts manned in the Port Angeles District." (Port Angeles Evening News)
May 19, 1969: "SALE and REMOVAL - Of Blyn Mountain Lookout, lookout tower located in SE 1/4 NE1/4 Section 18, Township 29 North, Range 2 West, W.M.
Minimum Acceptable Bid - $1.00
Public auction to be held 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 1969, at the Port Angeles District Headquarters. A copy of the sale containing all requirements is posted at the Department of Natural Resources office in Port Angeles, Washington." (Port Angeles Evening News)
1969: Removed