Apgar Mountain Lookout

In 1927, an elevated platform and log cabin were built, including a phone line from Apgar to the top of Apgar Mountain where a fire lookout was located.

In 1929, a new 2-story frame cab was built and completed on August 10 and on August 21 it burned to the ground, being in the path of the Half Moon Fire that swept through the park during the summer.

In 1930, an identical structure to the burned one was built, an enclosed 10-foot tower and 14- by 14 foot cab. This is one of two basic designs found in the park. Started in May, it was rebuilt before July 1, 1930.

In 1932, during the month of June a three-day training school for training men to map seen and unseen areas from lookout points was held on Apgar Lookout.

In 1935, panoramic photos were taken.

In 1937, the lookout name was a Mr. Mortenson.

In 1947, the lookouts were Mr. and Mrs. William Worf. William was a war vet and Montana State University forestry student.

In 1950, the first station to be occupied in the park was Apgar. The lookouts were Mr. and Mrs. Donald B. McCarraher. Donald was a Michigan State College forestry student.
Ten of the lookouts had married couples.

In 1951, park officials hoped to have all lookouts equipped with FM radio sending and receiving sets. One thing holding up the project was the necessity for wiring Apgar lookout, located near park headquarters, for power. Apgar was to be the main station for lookout radios. If the system worked out, the phone lines providing communication to the lookouts would be taken out after a few years. But for the time being, the radio operated in conjunction with the phone system. 2.5 miles of powerline was started up Apgar Mountain, requiring an 18 inch trench for the underground cable. The Apgar radio station will include three 48-foot high aluminum towers, and overnight quarters for a maintenance crew. To connect with the new Apgar mountain powerline, Flathead REA Co-op crews built a 1,200 foot long extension across Apgar flat. The parks new FM radio network included about 80 sets, 13 of which were at mountain top lookout stations, while others in patrol cars, with trail crews and at ranger stations. The lookout stationed at the summit this year was Malcolm Weed. Malcom and fireguard Don Dayton put out a lightning caused burning snag on the mountain near the end of July.

In 1952, the first of the 13 lookout stations to be manned was Apgar, manned by Dr, and Mrs. Edwin C. Moore of the University of Idaho at the station. Above normal June rainfall resulted in lookouts going to their stations later.

In 1953, the first of the 13 lookout stations to be manned was Apgar, manned by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Hauber of Chicago. Deep snow and wet June weather resulted in lookout posts being manned later this summer.

In 1954, the first of the 10 lookout stations to be manned was Apgar, manned by Mr. and Mrs. Bert White of Columbia Falls. All of the stations have direct FM radio hookups but Apgar also has a telephone line. Telephone service to the other lookouts has been discontinued effective this year.

In 1955, it was again the first lookout stations to be manned, by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard.

In 1967, the lookout on Apgar Mountain was evacuated as a precaution when strong winds pushed the Huckleberry-Apgar Mountain fire toward its direction.

In 1970 was the last year it was staffed although in 1972 it was used during a fire emergency. In 2003, the Robert Fire burned much of the vegetation around the lookout opening the views. It still serves as a communication center for park radio facilities.