Sweetgrass Butte Lookout Site

In 1932, the lookout was George Storms, who did not start observing duties until mid-July.. At this time, Sweetgrass was a camp. The newspapers reported in August that a house for the lookout would probably be started in the near future.

In 1933, a 30 foot pole tower with an L-4 cab was built.

In 1936, the Brewster Herald was suggesting people take a drive to the lookout, “Another of our lookouts which can easily be reached by road is Sweetgrass Butte. Drive first to Winthrop and thence up the Chewack River to the Cub Creek road, which you follow to the lookout. The trip will take you through the beautiful Methow and Cub Creek valleys. Lovely scenery on the way and a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains from the lookout will reward you for your effort."

In 1942, the Aircraft Warning Service used the Sweetgrass Butte Lookout for spotting enemy aircraft. The AWS built a sleeping quarters and reconditioned the lookout. The site was activated on March 16, 1942 and deactivated on July 1, 1943.

In 1962, the lookout guard, Ward Shafer, reported that a total of 240 tourists had visited his station that summer.

In 1967, the tower was sold to a local resident for removal. (see story below)

In 1973, The Herald-Reporter newspaper said: "This site was once a permanent fire lookout station, but use was discontinued in the mid-1960's. It still serves as an emergency lookout during lightning storms and high fire danger weather."