BRITISH COLUMBIA LOOKOUTS
MOUNT BENSON
Nanaimo
Vancouver District
Vancouver District
1923: An article in an issue of the Forest Service Newsletter of December 1949 states the lookout was built in 1923, accompanied by a photo of the D-6 lookout building dated July 10, 1949.
November 27, 1925: "The British Columbia forest service is planning to extend its series of fire outlook stations so that eventually every important timber area in the province will have ab observatory. Five lookout stations are already established and the department is now planning a station for Mount Benson which will serve a wide area near Nanaimo and another for Phoenix Mountain near Cranbrook." (Creston Review)
1925: "A programme of lookout construction, which provided for the erection of three standard lookouts with necessary telephone communications and fire-finding equipment, was undertaken. Primary units equipped with modern fire-finding equipment were constructed during the year on Mount Benson, near Nanaimo," (Report of the Forest Branch, Department of Lands)
1925: Listed under improvements in the Vancouver District: Mount Benson Lookout, $2,029.00. (Report of the Forest Branch, Department of Lands)
March 9, 1926: "When officers of the Forestry Service visited the lookout on Mount Benson the other day they found that during the time the place has been closed some vandal had visited the place and caused considerable damage by breaking into the place, stealing some articles therefrom and burning up two tables and a number of benches." (Nanaimo Daily News)
March 31, 1926: "While in Victoria the delegation also waited up the Hon. Dr. Sutherland, Minister of Public Works, in connection with the proposed road improvements in this district. The delegation pointed out the importance of repairing the Mount Benson road in view of the fact that the Government had constructed a lookout station on Mt. Benson which from a fire hazard standpoint was of material advantage to the central portion of Vancouver Island and any monies expended on the road would be in connection with the work of the lookout which during the past year had proved its value in detecting forest fires in the incipient stage, thereby preventing considerable losses." (Nanaimo Daily News)
December 15, 1926: "Just behind Nanaimo, on Mount Benson, the Forest Branch Lookout is situated. This peak, three thousand three hundred and sixty feet above the sea, is accessible from Nanaimo by four miles of motor road and one and one-half miles of good pack trail. The Forest Service Lookout man welcomes visitors and will be only too pleased to explain the system of fire detection. He extends a cordial welcome to anyone who may venture up to his home in the mountains." (Nanaimo Daily News)
June 15, 1932: "Mount Benson Lookout is to be operated by a private Company this summer. Mr. W. R. Flumerfelt of the Timber-holders Protective Association a newly organized Company with headquarters in the Metropolitan Building, Vancouver has been in Nanaimo for the past two days arranging for the re-opening of the Mount Benson Lookout for the current fire season.
It was found on reaching the Lookout building yesterday that the place had been badly wrecked by vandals, entry had been forced by cutting the door, iron bars which are placed to secure the shutters had been wrenched off and thrown over the bluff, several windows were broken, cooking utensils stolen. The whole place resembled a shambles." (Nanaimo Daily News)
September 11, 1934: "The Mount Benson lookout is closed for another season? It is to be hoped that the usual vandalism will not be practiced again this year." (Nanaimo Daily News)
August 31, 1940: "Eighty years young" might be the term applied to Harry Shepard, pioneer citizen. He hiked to the top of Mount Benson on Friday. There he had tea with the look-out man, Robert Baldwin.
Mr. Shepherd actually walked a good deal farther than is absolutely essential, as he left his car before coming to the end of the road, and clambered to the summit." (Nanaimo Daily News)
September 26, 1940: "Mount Benson lookout station has been closed for the season.
Thereby hangs a tale with the moral of the vigilance exercised by the lookout man. A permit applicant frankly admitted, forestry officials say, that he would have taken a chance on starting a fire without such permit in the knowledge that the lookout was no longer operating in 1940, but thought it wiser to be be on the safe side.
The lookout man, in addition to his duty of detecting forest fires over the widest terrain visible from any lookout station on the coast, has warned of several house fires, and sent in help to residents during this season.
Staff at the ranger station is being laid off for the season, danger of forest fires being regarded as over for 1940." (Nanaimo Daily News)
May 6, 1942: "Opening of the Mount Benson forestry look-out for the season will come shortly, the date largely dependent on the state of the weather, it was explained today." (Nanaimo Daily News)
December 5, 1949: "Mount Benson Lookout near Nanaimo was destroyed by fire by persons unknown." (Forest Service Newsletter)
May 16, 1968: "John Ross has found the fastest way of rising to the top of his work--by being a forestry lookout man.
He has spent 16 years working at the Mount Benson lookout and is considered the leading watcher in the Vancouver forest district. He is certainly kept busy for he top in the number of fires he had spotted.
Last year the National Research Council said that lookouts are on their way out, but as Mr. Ross hasn't heard that his lookout is being closed he is looking forward to a long time on the tower." (Victoria Daily Colonist)
October 23, 1970: "LOOKOUT TRANSFERRED Nanaimo service club Serauxmen take over Mount Benson Lookout as Bill McGuire, past president, signs papers. McGuire said club will try close supervision to curb vandalism, problem at remote viewpoint overlooking Strait of Georgia. Club also plans to build signs to make lookout easier to find. Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has been responsible for site." (The Daily Colonist)