FIRST THOUGHT MOUNTAIN
Stevens County - Colville National Forest - 39N-37E-7
July 19, 1914: "The forestry service is planning extensive work and equipment for the local station in fire fighting. Lookouts will be placed on the top of First Thought mountain on the east and another high mountain on the west side of Kettle river. From these lookouts a view may be had of the entire valley and a large area of the Colville national forest. The First Thought station will be equipped with a telephone and the two lookouts will communicate by seismograph signals." (The Semi-Weekly Spokesman-Review)
August 14, 1914: "A station recently constructed on First Thought Hill near Orient gives a view of a large portion of the country." (The Republic News-Miner)
August 14, 1914: "A station recently constructed on First Thought Hill near Orient gives a view of a large portion of the country." (The Republic News-Miner)
September 17, 1915: “The local office of the Forest Service have completed the field work for the present season and will relieve the guards from duty. Lookout towers for fire detectives were built on Sherman, Bonaparte, Vulcan and First Thought mountains.” (The Republic News-Miner)
September 17, 1915: “The local office of the Forest Service have completed the field work for the present season and will relieve the guards from duty. Lookout towers for fire detectives were built on Sherman, Bonaparte, Vulcan and First Thought mountains.” (The Republic News-Miner)
July 16, 1920: Stanley Pierce has the lookout station at Orient. (Republic News-Miner)
July 16, 1920: Stanley Pierce has the lookout station at Orient. (Republic News-Miner)
July 11, 1921: "First Thought mountain, an elevation of 4023 feet, is near Orient and is presided over by Stanley Pearce." (Spokane Chronicle)
June 1925: "Rangers Foote and Vincent constructed during April a 70 foot wooden tower on top of First Thot Mountain which overlooks the town of Orient. This being the highest tower ever constructed on this Forest and was no easy job. The tower commands a wonderful view of the east portions of the Forest. The man who has been chosen to serve as lookout on this point, Walter Spaid, is accustomed to high climbing." (Six Twenty-Six)
November 1925: "Ranger Foote and Hougland have enclosed the top of the 70 foot tower on First Thought Mountain.
A hip roof was put on with an 18-inch deck left open until after the shingling were done. The sheeting and shingling were done from the inside using the open deck on the finish of the shingling and putting on the ridge boards. A water tight lid covers the open deck. This tower now stands 76 feet high, from ground to roof. L.L. Hougland" (Six Twenty-Six)
June 29, 1928: “Keith Miller came down from Republic on Sunday to take charge of the lookout station on First Thought mountain. Fred Dahl who had been doing maintenance work there is transferred to Mineral mountain as lookout man.” (The Republic News-Miner)
June 29, 1928: “Keith Miller came down from Republic on Sunday to take charge of the lookout station on First Thought mountain. Fred Dahl who had been doing maintenance work there is transferred to Mineral mountain as lookout man.” (The Republic News-Miner)
July 13, 1928: “Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Miller drove from Republic on Saturday for a few days visit with their son Keith who is lookout man on First Thought mountain.” (The Republic News-Miner)
July 13, 1928: “Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Miller drove from Republic on Saturday for a few days visit with their son Keith who is lookout man on First Thought mountain.” (The Republic News-Miner)
July 27, 1928: “Winnifred Smith is visiting the Millers in Republic while Wheelock is spending a few days with Keith Miller at First Thought lookout station.” (The Republic News-Miner)
July 27, 1928: “Winnifred Smith is visiting the Millers in Republic while Wheelock is spending a few days with Keith Miller at First Thought lookout station.” (The Republic News-Miner)
September 20, 1929: “Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Miller and the Misses Elizabeth Loyce and Vera King came down from Republic Sunday p.m. To meet Keith Miller who was leaving First Thought Lookout where he had been stationed during the summer. Keith goes to Pullman Wed. where he will take up his second years work in Forestry at W.S.U.” (The Republic News-Miner)
September 20, 1929: “Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Miller and the Misses Elizabeth Loyce and Vera King came down from Republic Sunday p.m. To meet Keith Miller who was leaving First Thought Lookout where he had been stationed during the summer. Keith goes to Pullman Wed. where he will take up his second years work in Forestry at W.S.U.” (The Republic News-Miner)
September 24, 1946: Concrete was poured for the footings of a steel tower with an L-4 cab.
1947: The 40-foot steel tower with an L-4, post 1936 model cabin was completed. The tower was recycled from a parachute training tower at the Farragut recruit base on Lake Pend Orielle in Idaho.
July 17, 1953: "Mrs. Marilyn Buck attended guard school at Republic recently and is now on First Thought lookout tower." (The Statesman Examiner)
1985: In the earlier part of the year the lookout was purchased by the Orient Improvement Clubs with plans to move it to the Orient Community Park for a historical point of interest.
1986: After several dates to airlift the lookout failed the cab was successfully set down by a crane onto a trailer and moved to the park.
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National Geodetic Survey |
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DESIGNATION - FIRST THOUGHT LOOKOUT TOWER
PID - TP0932
STATE/COUNTY- WA/STEVENS
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - LAURIER (1992)
