Signal Mountain Lookout

The first lookout was a tent house. We have an image of Ben Sheffield sitting next to the tent. He was a longtime area resident who sold his Dude Ranch in 1928, then went to work for the Forest Service as a lookout in the late thirties and early forties on Signal Mountain. When the Forest Service later built a permanent lookout station and he was no longer molested by bear coming into his tent.

July 16, 1938: The Teton Forest has recently constructed a rustic lookout cabin on Signal Mountain which is centrally located so as to provide an excellent panoramic view of Jacksons Hole. The lookout serves a dual purpose. It is the primary lookout for the Forest because from it can be seen a large portion of the Teton National Forest, especially the area where the fire hazard is greatest, and it serves an excellent purpose as a place from which recreationists can view the surrounding country. Mr. Ben Sheffield, a resident of Jackson Hole for over 50 years, who occupies the lookout cabin, states that over a thousand people have registered at the lookout in a period of 20 days since the completion of the building. This primary lookout was occupied during the entire fire season by a fire guard.

By the end of the year, thanks to a sign placed out on the highway directing tourists, this lookout became a tourist attraction, with 7,000 persons signing the register at the station in 1938, coming from all 50 states. They obtained an excellent view and also observed the work of a forest fire lookout.
In 1951, lightning struck the lookout station and did considerable damage. Although the building was well grounded and insulated, the bolt burned out the telephone lightning arresters and completely burned up about 20 feet of aerial wire. Lookouts Marie and Bob Baugh were practically scared to death but not hurt.

The lookout was made with stone walls and sliding easement sash on all four sides, with a pyramid-shaped roof covered with wood shingles.