CLEARWATER COUNTY

BILLINGS (SUMMIT)

Clearwater Timber Protective Association
38N-5E-35
1927:   Pole platform.   (Kresek)

January 25, 1939:  "A new 86-foot lookout tower at Summit Lookout point was completed this summer.  This project was about one-half completed last season.  The new tower is a fine piece of workmanship.  It opens up considerable country not well covered from other points.  A smokechaser cabin was also built at the same location.  The cabin is L-4 type and built on the ground with a cement foundation.  The association furnished the skilled work on this project, assisted by a few CCC enrollees."  (Lewiston Morning Tribune)

1942:   "Summit Lookout near Headquarters has an 84-foot all wood tower that overlooks the largest body of White Pine in the World.  It was constructed in 1938, by the Clearwater Timber Protective Association, and is one of 20 such structures operated during the fire season by the association."   (Clearwater TPA Annual Report, 1942)

1948:   "In recognition of the great work of C.L. Billings, a past president of this Association, the lookout in the heart of the Clearwater tree farm, formerly known as Summit Lookout was renamed C.L. Billings point.  This renaming was done by action taken by the State Land Board, the cooperative Board of Forestry and Directors of the Association during their official inspection trip on July 13, 1948 at the recommendation and request of A.B. Curtis."   (Clearwater TPA Annual Report, 1948)

July 1949:   "Formerly Summit Lookout, a timber-strewn peak looking out over the more than 300,000 acres of the Clearwater Tree Farm and spotting the town of Headquarters and the CTPA headquarters has been formerly renamed BILLINGS LOOKOUT.
      Idaho dignitaries headed by Governor C.A. Robins, and officials of CTPA, PFI and members of the family of the late C.L. Billings gathered atop this 4,200 foot mountain July 10th to dedicate the point in honor of the man who did so much to preserve Idaho's vast timberlands.  It is a tribute in granite and bronze to the pioneer of forestry management in northern Idaho."  (The Family Tree)

1956:   "The Billings Lookout Tower which was virtually destroyed the fall of 1955 during hunting season was restored."  (Clearwater TPA Annual Report - combined 1955 - 56)

1960:   "Vandalism seems to be a problem that has no end.  The lookout at Billings Point evidently is a target of the evil minded and abuse of this very fine structure continues.  In 1960 unknown persons used the nice monument as a target at which windows from the tower structure were thrown."   (Clearwater TPA Annual Report - combined 1959 - 60)

1962:  After the fire season the tower, in poor condition, was removed.  With the improvement of other detection methods the tower was no longer cost effective.   (Clearwater TPA Annual Report - combined 1961-62)