MOUNT BONAPARTE |
Colville National Forest
38N-29E-14 |
August 7, 1914: “Reports from Bonaparte and other look-out stations in the district state that present conditions are likely to bring on rain and this according to Supervisor Reid is absolutely necessary to prevent further outbreaks.” (Republic News=Miner)
August 14, 1914: "The stations at Sherman and Bonaparte, the highest peaks in this half of the reservation, enable the rangers to keep a close watch of practically the entire territory.” (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 25, 1919: “Bergan Moran is in charge of the Forest Service Lookout on Bonaparte mountain.” (The Republic News-Miner)
August 15, 1919: “Bergan Moran, keeper of the Fire Lookout Station on Mt. Bonaparte, was here this week. Mt. Bonaparte has an altitude of nearly 8,000 feet and on a clear day affords a distinct view of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Chopaka. Bergan says there is still old snow on the north slopes and that several inches snow fell three weeks ago. The mountain is reached by way of Wauconda and Lost Lake. The trail to the summit is four and one half miles. Bergan has acquired a good understanding in the use of the heliograph and is quite content and happy in his home among the clouds.” (Republic News-Miner)
May 2, 1920: "Approximately the same appropriation for work on forest service roads, trails and other improvements has been received this year as last by the local office, which calls for the following work this summer: Construction:--Bonaparte lookout house, $1000." (The Semi-Weekly Spokesman-Review)
January 1921: "Fred Schmelling who held down the lookout on Bonaparte Mountain this summer (1920) was a visitor at the office, bringing with him some fine game pictures." (Six Twenty-Six)
July 11, 1921: "Bonaparte mountain, northwest of Republic, rears its summit 7280 feet, and is in charge of Fred Schmeling." (Spokane Chronicle)
October 1925: "Lookout Horning on Bonaparte Mountain boasts of having high born dogs. His water spaniel presented him with seven fine puppies, which we believe are the first to be born on a lookout. G.H. Wiltz" (Six Twenty-Six)
September 28, 1928: “Twice within the past few days Forest Service employees have had rather exciting encounters with bear. Lookout Petty on Bonaparte Mountain was recently returning to his station with a pack load of grub when he met two bear on the trail. The bear were too friendly to suit Mr. Petty, who hastily discarded his pack and climbed a tree alongside the trail. The bear nosed around the pack and kept Mr. Petty up the tree for about an hour and a half, after which the bear padded up the trail. Mr. Petty decided the best pace for him for the balance of the day was at the foot of the mountain so he hastily scrambled down the tree and beat a hasty retreat to the nearest farmhouse for the night.” (The Republic News-Miner)
October 18, 1929: “The lumber for a new Lookout on Bonaparte Mountain has been purchased and is being packed to the top of the mountain by Gilbert Roundy of Entiat and Tom Kroupa of Chesaw. They are using 12 head of horses in their pack string.” (The Republic News-Miner)
October 18, 1929: “Ranger Wiltz of Chesaw was in Republic Tuesday. Gordon Sly, who had been helping pack up lumber for Bonaparte Lookout returned with him.” (The Republic News-Miner)
July 7, 1933: “A forest fire was discovered Sunday near Leese by the lookout on Bonapart and Dugout mountains and reported to Ranger Taylor at Tonasket. With a crew of C.C.C. Boys from the Leese camp the fire was soon put under control, in fact before it attained one quarter of an acre in size.” (Republic News-Miner)
Activated: April 10, 1942; Deactivated: August 31, 1942. Seattle Filter Center.
September 17, 1970: "Miss Dianne Woods, finishing her second summer at the Bonaparte Mountain Lookout, was greeted by a snow-covered ground several mornings during the last week." (The Herald-Reporter)
