Blyn Lookout

The first lookout on Blyn was a tent with a firefinder on a tall stump. It stood on a blackened naked mountain.

In 1934, a lookout was built by the State Department of Natural Resources, the Washington Forest Fire Association, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The structure was a 90-foot pole tower with an 8x8 foot cab. There was also a ground house living quarters. That first year in 1934, during the month of October, a violent wind storm swept part of the State, blowing down an estimated total of 500,000,000 board feet of timber. Wind velocities reached 74 miles per hour. The wind picked up the ground cabin, and hurled it against one of the tower legs, at the 25 foot panel brace. The cabin was carried over 40 feet in elevation and over 100 feet in distance by the wind before it struck the tower. The cabin was literally blown apart, floor, roof and walls being separated into units. This was the new lookout tower.

In 1935, the cabin was reconstructed in the spring.

In 1935 on June 11, panoramic images were taken from the tower. Recorded at 70 feet plus 3 feet.

In 1942, the location was used by the Aircraft Warning Service through 1944.

By the late 1950s, the tower had been remodeled three times and termites had eaten the legs of the tower.

In 1960, a new 40-foot timber tower with a 14 x 14 foot live-in cab was built.

In the 1970s, the cab and top 10 feet of the tower were moved to Beausite Lake.

From 1950 to 1965, lookout Olga Hughett staffed Blyn. Olga went on to buy the Blynn Lookout for $138 when it was decommissioned. She had her husband rebuild just the top portion of it in her front yard. The tower was placed at the edge of Beausite Lake near Chimacum. It was owned by Jefferson County, but was on property leased to the Kiwanis club. They use the property as a camp for special needs children, but did not use the Tower. It was very old and nearly falling down, and she though it unlikely to be delt with before it was too late. At some point, the cab was moved to private property at Beausite Lake in the 1970s.

This is a drive-up! No gates, just snow or tree-fall will prevent your access. The road is generally in good condition but has formed some bumps. Take Highway 101 to the small town of Blyn, at the head of Sequim Bay. Turn south onto Woods Road (also known as Snow Creek Road). Follow to a Y intersection with the Jimmy Come Lately Road, and turn left. Follow to another Y and turn left, then another left, then a right...well...just use the map provided!

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