MISSOURI LOOKOUTS

WASHBURN

Barry County
Missouri Conservation Commission
22N-28W-30

1944:   40 acres were acquired for a towersite.   (Report of the Missouri Conservation Commission)

September 7, 1944:   "The Missouri Conservation Commission has purchased a forty-acre tract four miles west of Washburn for the purpose of erecting another fire control tower to be erected in this area.  It will be the third tower to be erected in this section for the control of forest fires.  It is understood that Elmer Ellis of Pineville has been employed to man the new observation tower."   (The Pineville Democrat)

1945-1946:   The 'Official Manual of the State of Missouri'  indicates that the towersite is owned by the Missouri Conservation Commission and is 40 acres in size.

September 4, 1955:  "Work has been completed on the 100 foot steel fire tower near Washburn.  The new tower overlooks Roaring River State Park and an area from Cassville to Powell.  It replaces a temporary pole-type tower erected during the war.
     Bobby Lawrence, who was transferred from the Joplin Fire Tower near Spring City a year ago, will man the new tower."  (Neosho News)

FY1955-56:  "The wooden tower was replaced with a steel tower at Washburn in Barry County."   (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report FY 1955-56)

FY1956-57:  "The old Washburn Tower residence was dismantled and a new building constructed"   (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report FY 1956-57)

April 2, 1961:   "Wayne Lawrence, 50, was dead when pulled from blazing grass by a brother, Bob Lawrence, who had joined Wayne in attempting to contain the fire after it had been fanned out of control by a strong wind.  Bob Lawrence is an observer at the Washburn fire tower of the state forestry department.
      Lawrence suffered burns about the legs and body but Barry County coroner Doyle Williamson said death was due to suffocation."   (Jefferson City Post-Tribune)

FY 1968-69:   "The Washburn towersite garage received new overhead doors."   (Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report FY 1968-69)

FY1969-70:   "The Washburn tower residence received a new porch floor, water heater and ceramic wall tile in the bath."   (Annual Report of the Missouri Department of Conservation)

FY1971-72:   "The Washburn residence received new kitchen tile."   (Annual Report of the Missouri Department of Conservation)

FY1975-76:  "A sidewalk and steps were poured at the Washburn Tower residence."   (Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report)

August 13, 1990:   "Every fire season for more than 35 years, Bob Lawrence could be found in a tiny cabin atop a 1000-foot tower, scanning thousands of acres of forest for a hint of smoke or flame.
      After spotting a fire in the thick oak and hickory woods, Lawrence often would scramble down the 115-step staircase and join fellow Missouri Department of Conservation firefighters dispatched to douse the flames."   (The Springfield News-Leader)