IDAHO COUNTY
GRAVE BUTTE
Clearwater National Forest
36N-11E-17
36N-11E-17
1981: "The butte was first used as a seasonal detection point in 1928 when Ranger Ralph Hand set up a tent camp on the south side of the peak perhaps 1/4 mile from the top.
Construction of an L-3 lookout cabin began in 1929.
Before the cabin was finished, the Bald Mtn. fire blew up and endangered the lookout. The crew was ordered to evacuate the camp, but before leaving they built a trench around the area and burned out the inside. Everything inside the trench was saved. By 1930, Ranger Fred Shaner had taken over the District. He sent Earnest Hartman and Harry Chenoweth in to finish the cabin that summer. In time, the lookout man added a shake covered woodshed, a root cellar and the usual Chic Sales (outhouse) to complete the complex.
Grave Butte was last manned in 1940, but it was 1954 before the buildings were condemned and the packer went in to rescue usable items before Bill O'Brien went in to do the torch job." (Louis Hartig, 'Historic Facilities of the Lochsa Ranger District' - 1981)
Construction of an L-3 lookout cabin began in 1929.
Before the cabin was finished, the Bald Mtn. fire blew up and endangered the lookout. The crew was ordered to evacuate the camp, but before leaving they built a trench around the area and burned out the inside. Everything inside the trench was saved. By 1930, Ranger Fred Shaner had taken over the District. He sent Earnest Hartman and Harry Chenoweth in to finish the cabin that summer. In time, the lookout man added a shake covered woodshed, a root cellar and the usual Chic Sales (outhouse) to complete the complex.
Grave Butte was last manned in 1940, but it was 1954 before the buildings were condemned and the packer went in to rescue usable items before Bill O'Brien went in to do the torch job." (Louis Hartig, 'Historic Facilities of the Lochsa Ranger District' - 1981)