16 by 16 - Forest Service Fire Lookout Restorations in the Rocky Mountain Region

Summary

Fire lookouts are symbolic within the US Forest Service. Following the devastating fires of 1910, early fire detection became a priority, and lookout towers began to be built throughout the country. Although technology has practically made lookouts obsolete as early fire warning systems, their historic significance and a powerful nostalgia makes them the ideal subject for a preservation initiative which focuses on restoration and celebration of these important icons. In 2013 the USFS, Forest Fire Lookout Association, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and HistoriCorps entered into an MOU which formalizes their cooperative spirit in collaborating on Sixteen Lookout Restorations on USFS lands by 2016. We highlight the Rocky Mountain Regions restoration work with volunteers from HistoriCorps, the Forest Fire Lookout Association, USFS Job Corps, and the USFS Passport in Time program.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Celebrating the Contributions of a Community of Preservation: Forest Service Partners and Volunteers

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