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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hope For Lookout

Associated Press

Forest history

Volunteers are trying to raise about $40,000 needed to save a historic fire lookout atop East Mountain in the Boise National Forest.

The rugged redoubt near Cascade is Idaho’s last remaining log lookout.

“If there were 10 of these left, I’d say no,” Forest Service archaeologist Robert Scott said when asked if the building was worth the restoration.

But the three-story, hand-hewn log lookout is one of a kind in the state. Perched at 7,752 feet, the Civilian Conservation Corps antique must either be removed, or restored by someone willing to assume liability and lease it from the government.

A committee is working to put the structure under the administrative umbrella of the Central Idaho Cultural Center in McCall.