| Drive-Up | Emergency / Stand-By |
| Elevation: 5520′ | Clearwater Timber Protective Assoc. |
History
Bertha Hill stands as the location of the Very First Fire Lookout Tower in the Nation.
In 1902, the camp cook for a logging company, Mable Gray, climbed on top of her tree perch twice a day to watch for smoke.
1906 – Platform tower was built.
1910 – Platform tower 1/4 mile SE of the present location was built.
1918 – 20′ tower with a 6×6 enclosure was built.
1923 – 20′ tower with a small glass cabin was built.
1932 – 21 year old lookout, Glen Frazier, on his very first day of work – was killed by lightning while at his post.
1933 – 40′ pole L-4 was built
1958 – 54′ all-steel tower was built
In 1964 the 20-year-old lookout, Maida Talbot, fell from the tower and was killed. Soon after, the metal “skirt” was added to the tower to prevent future accidents.
Maida’s obituary can be found here:https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23028439/maida-louise-talbott
Bertha Hill is still in active operation as a fire lookout tower and stands as the longest continually manned tower.
Known Staff
1914 – E. J. Weseman (*Clearwater Republican)
1932 – Glen Frazier, on his very first day of work, was killed by lightning while at his post.
1932 – Carl Altmiller (*White Pines and Fires)
1933 – 1935 – Jackson Space & Albert Curtis (*White Pines and Fires)
1940s/50’s – Dayton Snyder (Sometime in the late 40’s and early 50’s, not sure of exact years)
1957 & 1958 – Charley Henry
1964 – Maida Talbot, fell from the tower and was killed.
??? – Bill Wash (*White Pines and Fires)
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