| Drive-Up | Staffed |
| Elevation: 5595′ | Kaniksu National Forest |
History
The original summit name was Looking Glass Mountain
1932 – 40′ Pole tower with L-4 cab constructed
1949 – Summit renamed to Gisborne Mountain of Harry T. Gisborne
1958 – Current 41′ R-6 Cab constructed
1995 – Added to The National Historic Lookout Register
Known Staff
1934 – Kenneth Osborn (*Daily Bulletin)
1936 – C.A. Stoner (*The Newport Miner)
1958 – Fulton Messmore (*Sandpoint News Bulletin)
1961 – Newlyweds William & Virginia Dean (*Sandpoint News Bulletin)
1984 – Swaine White
Our Notes
Gisborne Mnt is staffed in summer, so we made a trip out hoping to meet the lookout. Unfortunately, we timed it poorly – with the fires in the PNW, the smoke made visibility horrible, and the lookout took the opportunity for some time off. We left a note at the base of the stairs and hope to hear from him or her soon!
The Fire Lookout Museum
The Fire Lookout Museum
The Fire Lookout Museum
Gisborne Mnt Patrol Point
We walked out to the site of the Patrol Point on Gisborne Mnt as well and found the remains of what was once a 30′ pole platform tower.
Delar Messmore, I am 76. My Gramps, Fulton D Messmore, was a USFS carpenter for many years, built this tower 2X. Near completion about 57-58, so I was then 9 or 10, we drove up to see what Gramps was doing, and went up in the new tower, could see the crew in the old one–which he’d built, some distance away. Gramps was also the super on the former Ranger station (now museum) log cabin at Lubi Bay. He built other towers twice, not sure what. I believe Roman Nose was one not sure. He worked all over, was loaned to do some work at Mt Coeur d Alene. We were up there very late afternoon, and saw the aircraft beacon then in operation. I don’t remember when, I was a boy. I am getting pretty crippled and can not hike. I probably will never be able to visit any of these any more. I live in Coeur d Alene.
Hi Deslar,
Those sound like some wonderful memories of yours. By chance to do you have any photos of your grandfather working on the towers? If so we would be honored if you would share those with us so we can help preserve and share that history and his contribution to fire lookouts.
-Billy