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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Eyes on the skies: $16.7 million would keep radar stations in top shape through 2030 ... Our view: RCC's health care opportunity can't be lost ... Medford plans to go after utilty debtors ... Eyes on the skies: $16.7 million would keep radar stations in top shape through 2030 ... Our view: RCC's health care opportunity can't be lost ... Medford plans to go after utilty debtors ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: What are those structures on the Table Rocks? Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News To the nearly all-wise staff of SYA, I drive home every day on Modoc Road from Table Rock. As you make the sharp right turn at the base of Table Rock heading toward the Modoc Orchards, there are two curious things I cannot help but notice. First, there appears to be a fire lookout at the top of a ridge line going up the side of Table Rock, and second, there is some sort of concrete bunker/foundation-looking thing. What are these? Secret government FEMA installations hiding in plain site? The remnants of a pear baron's mighty Victorian stronghold? I am not from the area, so I just can't help but wonder what these things are. — Paul S. We're still scratching our heads about the fire lookout structure you mentioned, Paul, but we're pretty sure we have the concrete foundation nailed down. We've reported on it before. According to our archives, the structure was a retaining wall. It was erected as a start to a mansion, intended to be built by Bertha Honore Palmer and her son, Honore Palmer, in the early 1900s. The retaining wall was built to retain dirt for a lawn. But construction of the $200,000 mansion never got going, as Palmer decided to live out his days in Florida, making only occasional visits to the Medford orchard. If that's not what you're talking about, we have one more possibility. There are still the remains of concrete pillboxes from the World War II era that dot the landscape. Historian Georger Kramer says they were built in about 1942, intended to train troops. "They would practice storming them, getting ready for storming the beaches of Normandy, presumably,” Kramer said. If anyone has any ideas about the fire lookout, we'd be happy to entertain them. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501