Monjeau Lookout

Monjeau Lookout

One of the most unique fire lookouts in the southwest.

History and Design

In 1936, a D-6 cupola-style ground house was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) at the Monjeau site.

It was replaced in 1940 with the structure that still stands today. Monjeau Lookout is constructed of native stone and has undergone numerous renovations. The site has three levels accessed by stone steps. The first level is a 14'x14' cabin historically used to house the fire lookout during the summer months. The roof of the cabin serves as an outdoor observation deck. Also on top of the cabin is a 7'x7' breezeway. In the breezeway ceiling is a trapdoor that leads to the highest part of the tower, called the cab. The cab is a 7x7 room and was manufactured by the International Derrick Company.

In the 1960s, the original windows were changed to panoramic panes to allow for unobstructed views. In 2006 Monjeau Lookout underwent an extensive renovation. The windows were changed back to the original style to preserve the historic look and feel of the site, although there was verbal opposition during the planning stage by fire personnel who still preferred the full-paned windows. 

Monjeau Lookout was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

The Rustic Style

In the 1940s, Chief Architect of the Forest Service Ellis Groben advocated "buildings of a more distinctive character...which both express the purposes of the Forest Service and which are more appropriate to their particular locales."

Gorben's guides emphasized the need for a harmonious design using local natural materials such as timber and stone. The style was referred to as "rustic architecture." It was based upon a canny combination of pioneer building skills and techniques, principles of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the premise of harmony with the landscape. The guides captured and codified the prevailing design that already had been practiced for many decades in natural settings such as New York's Adirondack Reserve and the early national parks. The rustic style resonated strongly with employees and the public because it reflected the forests' character and stood in pleasing contrast to the increasing "civilization" of the rest of the country.

The CCC was tasked with building many structures in this style during the 1940s. Monjeau Lookout is one such site, as are the cabanas at Sitting Bull Falls, another popular designation for forest visitors.

Visiting Monjeau Lookout

Due to its unique rustic style and its location on the Smokey Bear Ranger District (birthplace of Smokey Bear), Monjeau Lookout has been a major tourist destination for decades, hosting thousands of visitors each year. The dirt road leading to the site is steep and only open during the summer; however, you are welcome to walk the remaining ¾ of a mile from the gate to the lookout tower at any time of the year. 

Visit Monjeau Lookout

Monjeau Damaged in Wildfire

On July 4, 2012, a lightning strike started the Little Bear Fire in an inaccessible area of the White Mountain Wilderness. The fire was initially assessed at ¼ of an acre by two firefighters who were dropped by helicopter into the wilderness. The fire would eventually run over Monjeau Lookout and burn over 44,000 acres.

On June 6, 2012, Lincoln National Forest employee Linda Cole took a photo of Monjeau Lookout still under clear blue skies.

Just two days later, 30-40 mph winds blew embers over the fire line firefighters had constructed the previous four days. The fire quickly grew from 8,000 acres the morning of July 9 to 15,000 acres by that evening. Sometime on July 9, 2012, the outlook cab (aka the top portion of the outlook) sustained significant damage.

Superheated winds blew through Monjeau's breezeway, igniting the wooden floor of the cab from below. Window glass, chairs, the Osborne Firefinder pedestal, and various other items that were not totally consumed by the fire were found in a pile on the observation deck one level below the cab where they had initially been.

In a bizarre twist, the Osbourne Firefinder was completely missing, likely it was stolen before anyone could arrive to assess the tower's damage.

Most of the tower structure passed through the fire unscathed, save for a coating of soot and two cracked windows. In fact, the timber handrails, wooden description sign, and the National Registry of Historic Places plaque did not burn.

In 2013, reconstruction of the tower cab back to it's pre-fire state took place.