MONUMENT 83
Okanogan County - Chelan > Okanogan National Forest - 40N-18E-5
December 1930: "The lookout was of log construction, built 14x14 with a 6x6 dog house on top." (Six Twenty-Six)
October 27, 1937: "When the last lonely forest fire lookouts climb down from their isolated vantage points and haul down the flag of the land over which they have kept summer vigil there will be one exception.
A.C. Mattison of Okanogan, Wash., holds the distinction of being the only United States forest service lookout posted on foreign soil. He is lookout at monument 83 on the Canadian boundary of the Chelan national forest. The station was built across the boundary line in Canada under special privilege granted by the British king.
Mattison looks out upon a grand and inspiring view from his lonely perch. The largest primitive area in the north Pacific region, the north Cascade primitive area, lies just to the south. To the north is the Canadian landscape, which is similarly rich in rugged and spectacular beauty.
Deer near Mattison's station became so friendly this season that he was able to touch them and one large buck actually licked his face, he reported to regional headquarters here.
The Canadian government requested that the American flag not be flown from Mattison's lookout station, a request that was complied with. However, Mattison asked for a British flag, but failed to receive it so a 125-foot flagpole was erected in front of the lookout house which is several feet from the international boundary on the American side and the Stars and Stripes fluttered from the top throughout the season." (The Oregonian)
July 1, 1954: "The U. S. maintains two lookout stations practically on the border. and the two are Monument 83 and Bunker Hill. On the Canadian side Windy Joe looks into the U. S. district. Last year the Canadians installed radio communications with Monument 83, and this year there is a good chance of telephone communications with the Mazama forest office, as well as the two U. S. lookout stations.
Ranger Longmoor told of the co-operation given by Ranger Boyd and his crew when Monument 83 was buillt some time ago. Materials were hauled to the Manning Park station and stored by the Canadians until the time for construction to start. A road was built and the materials hauled to the bottom of the hill on which Monument 83 was built. Clyde Scott hauled the materials the rest and a large saving was effected by the fine cooperation of the Canadians." (Methow Valley News)
Ranger Longmoor told of the co-operation given by Ranger Boyd and his crew when Monument 83 was buillt some time ago. Materials were hauled to the Manning Park station and stored by the Canadians until the time for construction to start. A road was built and the materials hauled to the bottom of the hill on which Monument 83 was built. Clyde Scott hauled the materials the rest and a large saving was effected by the fine cooperation of the Canadians." (Methow Valley News)
July 11, 1963: "Jimmie Rea left Saturday, June 22, for guard school at Lost Lake. He was flown from Winthrop to Paysaten Airport, Forest Service. From there he packed in by horseback carrying all his supplies to Monument 83 Lookout Post which is straight north of Hart's Pass on the U.S. - Canadian boundary. He will be a fire observer for both the U.S. and Canada. The middle of September Jim will return and enter college at Ellensburg where he will study the basic science courses. He plans to transfer to Pullman for his second year." (Herald Reporter)
August 22, 1968: "Tom Parrish, a 1968 graduate of the Brewster high school is spending the summer working out of the Winthrop ranger station. He is stationed as lookout on Monument 82, on the U.S., Canadian border near Manning Park, B.C.
He has been away from his post just once this summer when he spent the day as guest at a Canadian ranger station and also had his hair cut. His parents were taken by jeep one weekend to visit him. All his supplies are by airdrop." (The Herald-Reporter)
July 31, 1969: "Tom Parrish, who is working for the Forest Service out of Winthrop, was returned to his post at Number 83 Lookout near Manning Park, B.C. last Saturday morning by helicopter. This is where Tom was stationed last year and will come out in time for college in the fall." (The Herald-Reporter)