West Fork Ranger Station, Listed!

Ole Tangen, a Norwegian-born master log craftsman, built or supervised the construction of nearly three dozen log buildings throughout the Bitterroot Valley, and several Forest Service and National Register-listed properties. Tangen’s log work remains as an instructive example to modern log builders and preservationists.

The three log buildings pictured here – the ranger’s residence, cookhouse, and garage – at the Bitterroot National Forest’s West Fork Ranger Station in Ravalli County are representative of Tangen’s work. From 1932 through 1954 the buildings functioned as the core of the Ranger Station. The recent restoration of the ranger’s residence and garage returned them to their original appearance, emblematic of the U.S. Forest Service’s improvement program during the 1930s and early 1940s.

The West Fork Ranger Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 18, 2023. The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's official list of cultural resources deemed worthy of preservation. The program is managed by the National Park Service and administered by the State Historic Preservation Office.

Exploring properties listed on Montana’s National Register of Historic Places has never been easier. This interactive map was developed by #mtshpo and provides quick access to an ever-growing, searchable repository of historic properties, districts, and landmarks. Simply click on a point or polygon to view information about the site or refine your search by selecting filters and layers. https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/NationalReg/NRMap

Montana SHPO, National Register Program: https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/index1

National Park Service, National Register Program: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/index.htm

#mtshpo #mthist #nationalregisternps #nationalforest @DiscoverBitterrootNF