East Mountain Lookout is the first of the unique Idaho log house lookouts to be listed in the NHLR. Very few remain in existence. The first was a two-story 18’ x 18’ hip-roof structure built in 1914 by the Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association. It was replaced in the 1930s by a similar 20’x20’ log house lookout by a CCC crew under the direction of two Finnish carpenters. The lookout was staffed through 1995, when it was decommissioned. It is located on the Boise National Forest.

A dry lightening storm moved across the area in late June/early July, 2002 and started a 5 acre fire on the east side of the lookout, and strong winds carried small bits of flaming material uphill toward the lookout, which caught fire and burnt down before help arrived. The lookout was in the final stages of restoration by a preservation group when the fire occurred.