The historic lookout on Mt. Shepherd has recently received a new roof. The ranger station here in the summer months during the 1930s and 1940s was charged with keeping diligent watch for smoke and to direct the swiftest available response to any starting forest fire.
A cot and tiny kitchen provided for his basic needs, all trees at the top of the mountain were kept cut down affording an unobstructed view in every direction.
Communication was by way of a telephone line strung between tree along the trail down to Harbourview Road and then to the forest service office in Langford. Bits of wire and insulators were still visible in the 1950s.
There were also lookouts on Mt. Empress and Mt. Matheson, now long gone, remnants of the anchors drilled into the rock to hold the buildings down during the winter gales are about the only signs remaining from an earlier time.
Thanks to CRD Parks for taking an interest in preserving this bit of Sooke history.
Andy Wickheim
Sooke