Summit Fire Lookout

The Summit Fire Lookout, located on Mount Revelstoke, is a two-storey wood frame building with an exterior covering of wooden shingles and clapboard. It consists of a square frame structure surmounted by a smaller square cupola, with windows on all four sides. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

The Summit Fire Lookout is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value

The Summit Fire Lookout is associated with the emergence of the forest conservation movement in Canada at the beginning of the 20th century. It illustrates the emphasis placed on strong government regulation of the forests as a renewable resource, as well as the attention given to fire prevention in forested areas.

Architectural Value

The Summit Fire Lookout is a cupola-style lookout cabin whose value resides in its very good functional design. It is based on an American design, which originated with the United States Forest Service, and was introduced to Canada in the early part of the 20th century. The design provides fire wardens with maximum visibility in all directions.

Environmental Value

The site of the Summit Fire Lookout maintains its natural appearance as a result of conscious efforts by park officials. The modest size wooden construction is compatible with the natural character of its mountain park setting. The Lookout is the only structure at the summit, and has had a long association with the park. As such, it is a prominent attraction, well known by residents of Revelstoke and yearly visitors.

Sources:

James De Jonge, Summit Fire Lookout, Mt. Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia, Federal Heritage Building Review Office, 87-047.

Summit Fire Lookout, Mt. Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia, Heritage Character Statement, 87-047.

The character-defining elements of the Summit Fire Lookout should be respected, for example:

Its cupola-style lookout cabin and materials, for example:

-Its square frame structure surmounted by a distinctive square cupola, with windows on all sides.

-Its modest size, two-storey wood frame construction with an exterior covering of wooden shingles and clapboard.

-Its good functional design which combines a viewing and living area.

The manner in which the Summit Fire Lookout maintains an unchanged relationship with its site and is compatible with the character of its natural setting, and is a prominent landmark as evidenced by:

-Its ongoing relationship to its site.

-Its modest size and wooden construction.

-Its visibility at the summit of the mountain.