Lookout trees in Kaibab National Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lookout trees in Kaibab National Forest
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| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Area | less than one acre |
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| MPS | National Forest Fire Lookouts in the Southwestern Region TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 64000046 |
| Added to NRHP | January 13, 1992 |
The lookout trees in Kaibab National Forest are a unique part of history. These tall, strong trees were once used as natural fire lookout towers. They helped people spot wildfires from high up. This clever way of using trees was common in the western United States in the early 1900s. It was a simple and quick way to create a lookout point without building a big tower.
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What Are Lookout Trees?
Lookout trees were chosen for their height and strength. Instead of building a new structure, forest rangers would pick a tall tree. They would then add a ladder or metal spikes to the tree trunk. This allowed someone to climb up and get a good view.
How Lookout Trees Were Used
For short-term use, just adding a way to climb was enough. But for longer use, the top part of the tree, about 10 feet (3.0 m), would be cut off. A flat platform was then built on the remaining stump. This platform often had a railing for safety. It also had a seat and a special tool called an Osborne Fire Finder. This tool helped rangers figure out exactly where a fire was burning.
History of Lookout Trees
Many of these lookout trees were set up between 1905 and 1920. They played a very important role in protecting forests from fires. Over time, as technology changed, new fire towers were built. These new towers replaced the old lookout trees.
Finding Historic Lookout Trees
In 1987, a special survey was done in Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. This survey looked for surviving lookout trees. The goal was to find trees that still showed signs of their past use. Many more lookout trees once existed, but some have disappeared. Others were simply not found during the survey.
Protecting These Special Trees
Trees that still had important parts of their lookout function were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historical sites. They are protected so future generations can learn about them.
Famous Lookout Trees
Several lookout trees in Kaibab National Forest are still recognized today. They were all added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 13, 1992. Here are some of them:
- Cooper Ridge Lookout Tree, reference number 91001962, 36°44′48″N 112°13′5″W / 36.74667°N 112.21806°W
- Corral Lake Lookout Tree, reference number 91001954, 36°36′18″N 112°15′58″W / 36.60500°N 112.26611°W
- Fracas Lookout Tree, reference number 91001955, 36°39′39″N 112°16′16″W / 36.66083°N 112.27111°W
- Grandview Lookout Tree, reference number 91001945, 35°55′58″N 111°58′44″W / 35.93278°N 111.97889°W
- Hull Tank Lookout Tree, reference number 91001947, 35°56′25″N 111°57′28″W / 35.94028°N 111.95778°W
- Little Mountain Lookout Tree, reference number 91001950, 36°35′22″N 112°21′30″W / 36.58944°N 112.35833°W
- Summit Mountain Lookout Tree, reference number 91001948, 35°7′51″N 112°7′56″W / 35.13083°N 112.13222°W
- Tater Point Lookout Tree, reference number 91001946, 36°32′22″N 112°6′5″W / 36.53944°N 112.10139°W
- Telephone Hill Lookout Tree, reference number 91001952, 36°32′50″N 112°10′33″W / 36.54722°N 112.17583°W
- Tipover Lookout Tree, reference number 91001953, 36°21′56″N 112°8′19″W / 36.36556°N 112.13861°W
- Tusayan Lookout Tree, reference number 91001951, 35°58′16″N 112°8′11″W / 35.97111°N 112.13639°W
