NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Park Structures and Facilities

WITHIN the compass of this heading is included a wide range of structures, the common denominator of all being the provision of means for negotiating a view. Lookouts may eventuate from the practical requirement of forest fire detection, or from determination on the part of designing technician or wilful band of park users, hyper-view conscious, for something bigger and better and more distant in views than Nature unaided could achieve.

Between the grimly functional lookout of the ranger and the utmost in aesthetic structural elevation contrived by the view-for-view's-sakers is greater distance than any park vista will ever provide. When it has been essayed to superimpose the too conscious aspirations of the aesthetic, on the structurally sufficient skeleton of the fire detection tower, the literally "crowning" error in park development has been committed. Probably a frank rendering of either extreme, free of gesture toward the other, is better than any hybrid produced by crossing the two irreconcilables.

Examination of existing timber-framed trestle-type lookout towers for aesthetic values will prove disheartening. In general, the oil derrick as their inspirational source is painfully undisguised. This conclusion cannot be held in disparagement of the designers, if it be honestly admitted that they have valiantly sought to solve the unsolvable. There is such admirable show of there-is-no-such-word-as-can't in every new attempt! It seems heartless to venture a restraining word, but the accumulation in our parks of harrowing skeletons commemorative of past ill-advised best intentions in this direction admits no choice of action.

There are other than purely aesthetic reasons for discouraging the building of high wooden structures for use as observation towers. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to fabricate a timber-braced structure with bolted or spiked joints that will hold up under the attack of the elements for any considerable length of time without constant maintenance. Immediately after construction the wood members shrink and the joints loosen. Decay will proceed rapidly at the joints where water seeps in between the members and finally into the bolt and spike holes. The structure is weakened at its most vulnerable point. With the slightest loosening of the joints the tremendous wind pressures cause movements which increase the stresses in the entire structure. The safety of the people using the towers cannot be assured, when it depends entirely on inspection and maintenance that cannot be guaranteed into the future.

Because the wood-framed lookout tower is so utterly unappealing, and so potentially a hazard, it is strange that but few stone towers have been built. The stone lookout is not foredoomed to failure, aesthetic and structural, as is the open wood tower, but on the contrary offers opportunity for picturesqueness, satisfying design and great permanence. Particularly does it appear that the possibilities for a stone tower of modest height springing from a rock-crowned summit have not been widely sensed, certainly not widely embraced.

It is held by many that the birth rate for lookout towers in parks is currently too high, and that some measure of control should be instituted. It can be argued that the perching of a lookout on the high elevation of a park area is disfiguring to the natural sky line, that it is sometimes better to remove the trees that crown the high summit, and are the very obstructions to view that make necessary the building of a structural lookout. The bald crown of the eminence is held to be a lesser, certainly no greater, blemish than the structural tower rearing itself above trees. There are undoubtedly locations where this solution would be an acceptable alternative to a lookout tower. But it can hardly be urged for universal application. Rather should it be given thoughtful consideration as a possibility, to be weighed in the light of consideration of characteristics of hill or mountain top contours and prevalence of forest cover.

There is another less blatant type of lookout, without aspirations to become a tower of Babel, often termed an overlook, trail lookout or lookout shelter and usually strategically located at a prospect point of an upland, where the hiker is offered rest and shelter and a view. These little structures are notable for their general lack of pretentious character, and several successful examples of such are illustrated by photographs and drawings on succeeding pages. It must be admitted that these might as logically have been included within the shelter section. Perhaps the reader will withhold censure of this straining in classification and wink at this subterfuge as pardonable in the circumstances. The "batting average" for lookout towers without the beneficial rating of overlooks is such that it stands in need of any advantage that can be fairly given it.

OVERLOOK—STARVED ROCK STATE PARK—ILLINOIS A hexagonal overlook structure of simple construction so photographed as to show the distant view that is its reason for being. No other purpose that might inspire a small shelter building offers benefits measuring up to those furnished by a sweeping view of a far horizon. A double or triple railing might have overcome the disturbing "openness" of the single rail that has here been used and have contributed a solidity to the base of the structure that seems to be lacking.

Plate M-1 (click on image for a PDF version)

Plate M-2 (click on image for a PDF version)

Plate M-3 (click on image for a PDF version)

Lookout Shelter, Meramec State Park, Missouri

It is suggested to all who would build tall trussed timber lookout tower that they pause and consider on its merits such a lookout as this. It is more enduring and comparatively free from maintenance demands, and very much more at home on a rocky eminence than any wood tower ever contrived. It offers a view in all directions and shelter from sudden storms. The batter at the base of the wall is pleasing. Perhaps the low pitch of the roof and the thinness of roof covering could be quarreled with.

Plate M-4 (click on image for a PDF version)

Meramec State Park, Missouri

Meramec State Park, Missouri

Observation Station, Grand Canyon National Park

Perched on the rim of this spectacular canyon, this structure forms liaison with its setting by means of native stone ruggedly laid, flat roof, skillfully buttressed corners. Before a lecture group at the observation point the majestic canyon—subject of the talks—spreads uninterruptedly.

Plate M-5 (click on image for a PDF version)

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Overlook Shelter, Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

Nominated from the floor as a candidate for a Pulitzer Award for Park Structures, if and when created. This little structure will cause chagrin and consternation among experts in destructive criticism who will be hard put to ferret out its shortcomings. An inventory of all its points of high merit is impossible in a limited space, but would surely lead off with blending to site, character of rock work and vigorous scale of the log timbers. The picturesque tree is flattering to the structure, but, it must be admitted, with unquestionable justification.

Plate M-6 (click on image for a PDF version)

Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

Lookout, Muskegon State Park, Michigan

A graceful salute to the days of the Frontier! For the pleasantly dishonest authenticity of this new-old blockhouse we are indebted to the salvaged timbers of a wrecked lake vessel. This lookout inspires recall of vanished men and vanquished wilderness—a shrine for the Unknown Pioneer.

Plate M-7 (click on image for a PDF version)

Muskegon State Park, Michigan

Muskegon State Park, Michigan

Lookout Shelter, Mississippi Palisades State Park, Illinois

High in the merit list of lookout shelters, this jaunty little building of hand-hewn timbers as here illustrated basks in the full added benefit of dramatic photography. To those who must have something to cavil at, the excessive "beavering" of the rail members is suggested. But accelerated personality is more than compensatory for any minor sacrifice of structural maximum. Opposite are detail drawings of the building.

Plate M-8 (click on image for a PDF version)

Plate M-9 (click on image for a PDF version)

Mississippi Palisades State Park, Illinois

Mississippi Palisades State Park, Illinois

Mississippi Palisades State Park, Illinois

Overlook Shelter, Buttermilk Falls State Park, New York

Happily illustrative of escape from the bondage of the prosaic in shelter buildings, both in plan and exterior treatment. Abundance of doors and windows gives views in all directions and still permits the enclosing of the shelter in cool weather. The retaining wall is of interest by reason of its batter rather than adherence to all the laws of good masonry. It is unfortunate that the general ruggedness of the structure did not extend to the roofing material, which is thin and inadequate.

Plate M-1 (click on image for a PDF version)

Buttermilk Falls State Park, New York

Buttermilk Falls State Park, New York