Historic Ranger Stations and Lookouts in the Clearwater Country
Candidates for ranger were selected by Major Fenn. Each candidate had to supply 3 horses and tools for building cabins and trails. There was a written examination, a fitness test, and had to know how to use a compass and be able to manny packs using a diamond hitch. If the candidates passed these examinations they would receive $75 per month, but had to furnish all their camping equipment, food and supplies. Below is a list of historic ranger stations and lookouts.
Locsha Locations
Locsha Ranger Station - Constructed of native materials and was accessable only by pack trail before highwas 12 was completed in 1962.
Pete King Ranger Station - The log building was constructed in 1908, and in 1911 it was turned into a ranger station. It became district headquarters in 1920 and a supply distribution center for the Selway Forest. In the early 1960's the log building was burned and the Idaho Transportation Department took over the site.
Middle Fork Locations:
Middle Fork (Number One) Ranger Station - The supply distribution station for the Selway Forest from 1910 to 1920. Construction on this building was started in 1904. Cut across the river, the logs were floated down stream and skidded to the site with a team of horses.
Tahoe Ranger Station - 1908 (remains burned with logging slash in the 1960's)
Canyon Meadows Ranger Station
Selway Locations:
Selway Falls Cabin - Built in 1907
O'Hara Ranger Station - First station built in 1908, destroyed by the 1910 fire and a new one was built in 1912.
Meadow Creek Ranger Station - Built in1924, it was district headquarters for less than 10 years. It had been used as a back country work center since 1932. The building has been completely restored and back country travelers may rent the cabin for $25/ night.
Lookouts
Coolwater Lookout - built in 1915. Had no lightening protection. On August 20, 1916 six inches of snow fell on the lookout.
Indian Hill - Permenant lookout station after 1920. It was first a tent camp with several observation points along the ridge. In 1929 a standard 14 by 16 foot cabin was built and in 1930 an 8 foot square house was built on a 45 foot observation tower. The worker stationed there would live in the cabin and climb the tower to make observations. In 1951 a new lookout was built on a 51 foot tower.
Woodrat Lookout -It was originally built in a tree as an observation platform in 1915. In 1925 a 14 x 16 foot cabin was built near the summit of Woodrat Mountain, and a 60 foot tower with an 8 x 8 foot house was erected.