CHEWELA PEAK LOOKOUT MOVED TO PRIVATE FARM

Lookout Site Regions: Origin Site ~ Northeast WA, Re-Lo Site ~ Northeast WA

The move of the Chewelah Peak Lookout to private property near the town of Chewelah is a good example of a TYPE 2 Re-Located Lookout.   Both the tower and the cab atop it were moved.

The lookout that was moved was the last of two (or possibly three)  lookouts that had been atop Chewelah Peak.  The entry on FFLA’s firelookout.org web site reads: “Originally developed in 1938 with a 50′ pole tower and L-4 cab, a 41′ treated timber tower with R-6 flattop cab replaced it in 1963. The Forest Service staffed the lookout into the 1970’s. The Washington Department of National Resources staffed it for a couple of seasons in the early 1980’s. The tower was sold to Frank Scranton in 1985 and moved to his farm alongside Highway 395 just north of Chewelah, where it stands today.”   Ron Kemnow includes a newspaper article in his web site which indicates that there was an earlier lookout on Chewelah Peak.  This entry reads: September 5, 1925: “Robert Stegner, fire warden at the lookout station on Chewelah peak, accidentally shot himself through the leg on Wednesday while slipping his revolver into the holster. Dr. Carson of Chewelah was called to attend him. Saddle horses were used to bring Stegner from the cabin to the road, four miles, and the injured man was taken to Chewelah, 16 miles, where he has been at the Cottage hotel under the doctor’s care. The wound was a clean one, and the patient’s condition is reported favorable.” (The Colville Examiner)

The original lookout site is near Chewelah at the top of what is now the 49^O North Mountain ski area.   The Re-Located Lookout can be seen on Frank Stanton’s property from Highway 395.  Contact the owner to gain permission to visit it.

CHEWELAH PEAK LO MOVED TO FARM NEAR CHEWELAH