MINNESOTA LOOKOUTS
AHREN'S HILL
Crow Wing County
134N-28W-26
134N-28W-26
August 9, 1911: "The state forestry board has decided to erect towers for foresters in localities where there is no way of getting a commanding view of the country.
These will be of wood in the most cases. The more permanent towers will be of steel.
A 40 foot steel tower is shortly to be erected on a high hill near Brainerd to give a view of the surrounding country for twenty miles. No more desirable place could be found than Ahrens hill.
These towers will decrease the number of watchmen necessary for fire safety." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
These will be of wood in the most cases. The more permanent towers will be of steel.
A 40 foot steel tower is shortly to be erected on a high hill near Brainerd to give a view of the surrounding country for twenty miles. No more desirable place could be found than Ahrens hill.
These towers will decrease the number of watchmen necessary for fire safety." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
May 6, 1927: "John R. Crossman of Pine River has been stationed on Ahrens Hill as tower watchman through the spring fire season." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
April 10, 1928: "A tower man will be stationed on Ahrens Hill within a few days and another at the Pequot tower as soon as tower is completed, for locating fires." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
June 2, 1928: "For the purpose of preserving the tract in its natural state of beauty eight men employed in the Northern Pacific shops have purchased the entire tract of Ahrens Hill overlooking the beautiful Gilbert Lake, Mississippi river and considered one of the finest beauty locations in the district.
The transaction for the purchase of the land comprising approximately 64 acres was made with Richard Ahrens. Attorney M.E. Ryan conducted the legal work involved. The new owners are: F.J. Lowey, William Brown, Ralph R. Strickler, J. Strickler, Nels Jepson, Oscar Erickson, William Webking, and W.A. Eastling. The transaction was recorded this week with the county register of deeds.
The price paid for the land was not named.
There is a possibility that the 40 foot fire lookout tower on the hill maintained by the state forestry department will be taken down this season and an 80 foot tower constructed." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
November 8, 1928: "A new steel lookout tower with glassed in crow's nest will be constructed this fall at Ahren's hill to replace the old one, it was announced today from the district forestry office here.
The foundation of the tower is at present in and the remaining work will be started later in the fall.
The new tower will have a stairway. The cost will be approximately $1,000.
A.E. Pimley of the state forestry department on his visit through the state today supervising the construction of 35 new towers reported that the state will have by next year 100 lookout towers for the prevention of forest fires. Seventy of the towers will have glassed in crow's nests." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
December 29, 1928: "Permanent improvements for the year listed in Mr. Rhodes' annual report for this district follow: A new 47-foot tower with stairway is being erected at the present time at the Ahrens Hill location." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
April 4, 1929: "A certain element who appear to be in their height of glory when defacing and damaging property have so damaged the fire lookout tower on Ahrens Hill that District Forest Ranger E. H. Rhodes has been forced to place a padlock at the top of the tower.
Mr. Rhodes stated today that no one will be permitted on the tower unless an employee of the State Forestry department is present.
Recently, miscreants abused the privilege extended to the public to visit and inspect the tower by writing obscene language on the tower and damaging it so that considerable repairs will be necessary. Arrests are expected.
In addition boulders have been rolled into an excavation near the tower which had been dug last year for the foundation of a new forestry cabin which will be built this year.
The new cabin will be 16 feet by 24 feet and will house the watchman of the tower. J.W. Wicklund will be stationed on the hill this year." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
September 26, 1929: "Algot Wicklund, who has been in charge of the forestry tower on Aaron's hill north of the city during the summer months, left last night for his home in Pine River. He leaves soon for Minneapolis where he will resume his studies in the University of Minnesota. Mr. Wicklund is a Senior in the University." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
September 26, 1929: "H. McKeebe who has been stationed at Hillman, will be stationed at the forestry tower on Aaron's hill north of the city." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
November 15, 1930: "The Brainerd Forestry Department are searching for vandals who recently smashed four windows and ripped the roof off a bird house at the forestry tower on Ahrens hill." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
February 18, 1931: "The legislature some years ago authorized a monument erected in memory of the lumberjack, the pioneer of the state. The suggestion has been made that the memorial take the form adopted in Michigan, a replica of an old time logging camp. The museum should house all the implements and equipment.
A very good place to establish such a memorial would be on Ahrens hill. The State Forest Department leases an acre of ground there at nominal rental and has established a 47 foot stairway tower and a log sided cabin for the observer. A good road leads to the station. In summer days tourists and other visitors to the number of 300 daily on week days and still more on Sundays visit the station, climb the tower and gain the wonderful view afforded. On clear days one can see the smokestacks of the North Cuyuna Range iron mine properties and the Pequot lookout tower 22 miles northwest. With glasses one can spot the Emily tower 37 miles northeast. On all sides one sees the beautiful lakes, Rice, Gilbert, Gull, North Round, etc., and in the foreground the meandering Mississippi." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
November 4, 1943: "The local forestry office employes entertained at a farewell party in honor of one of their rangers, John A. Pederson, who is leaving soon for training in the army. All the rangers in the district and their wives were also present.
Mr. Pederson left Saturday for Sioux Falls, S.D., to visit with his relatives for a few days. He will leave with the Cass county draftees from Walker, November 6. Mr. Pederson has been stationed at the Ahrens hill lookout tower." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch)