The Mount Fremont Fire Lookout is the highest point for spotting forest fires in Mount Rainier National Park. It sits at an elevation above 7,000 feet, where the air is thin and the wind has a personal vendetta against man-made structures.
Built in 1933, the tower is a 14 by 14 foot masterpiece of rustic engineering. Acting Chief Architect Edwin A. Nickel oversaw the design, ensuring it looked like it belonged in the woods while functioning as a two-story nerve center. The ground level holds storage, while the second level features a balconied lookout for humans to scan the horizon for burning trees.
Nature, however, does not care about architectural accolades. A 2006 storm did what the years of wind could not and dealt extensive damage to the structure. To prevent the tower from becoming a permanent part of the landscape in a different direction, cables are secured to deadmen to keep it from blowing over.
It survived the storm and has been repaired since. Today, it serves as a hub for visitor services during summer weekends. It remains a key piece of the park's historic landmark district, a sturdy reminder that even a small building needs some serious tethers to survive the mountains.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Kyle McLonely
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