Early Days in the Forest Service Volume 4

OTHER ST. JOE NATIONAL FOREST HISTORY
By Lloyd V. Donally
(Submitted by Ray L. Hilding)

In 1927 when I came to the St. Joe, there was no road at Avery or on the upper districts; and not many trails, just well-traveled main line horse trails. Most of the trails were constructed in the early 30's. In 1929, 1930 and 1931 the Roundtop District had a ten-man trail crew on the Little North Fork Clearwater River building trail from Rutledge Creek on down the river to mouth of Foehl Creek. Another 10-man crew was building trails on Sister's crew. Three other crews of five to six men were building trails on other parts of the District. Most of the lookout towers and buildings were constructed in 1930 and 1931 by Forest Service crews and in 1934 and 1935 by C.C.C. labor. The road to Avery from Wallace was connected up in 1928, and travel from St. Maries to Avery by road was in 1933. Both roads were completed by Forest Service crews, but not entirely built by Forest Service. Until roads were developed, the Forest had about 140 head of pack stock horses and mules. Each District had from 12 to 24 head, and about 30 head were used packing out of Avery.

There were five Districts: Avery, Roundtop, Pole Mountain, Quarles, and Palouse. In 1930 the Clarkia District was established with Dean Harrington as Ranger. In 1932 the Calder District was formed taking over the area administered by the Coeur d'Alene Timber Protective Association, Charles Scribner - Ranger. The Slate Creek District was abandoned, part going to the Avery District and part to the Calder District. Also Quarles District was abandoned, part going to Avery and part to Pole Mountain.

By 1942, the last year of the C.C.C.'s, roads were showing up over most of the Forest. Pack stock on the Forest dropped about 50 percent. In 1946 the St. Joe called for smoke jumpers for the first time to suppress a fire near Middle Sister Lookout. They were ordered by myself, through the Forest Supervisor, R.R. Fitting, 12 of them.