Interesting thread. I was just up on Abol this summer looking for some of these sites.
Yes, there was indeed a fire lookout station on Katahdin operating from 1913 until the end of the 1919 fire season. As described above, Frank Sewall was the watchman during these years. The Sewall Camp or Cabin, which is what it was referred to during the time and after 1919, was the watchman's camp for the station. It was built on an outcrop of rock that created a ledge or terrace on the south side of the Abol slide.
The Sewall Camp circa 1918.
The other structure that was built just below the Sewall camp around 1901/1902 was the Garland Camp. It was just off the Abol slide on the north side. This was an outcamp for the Debsconeag Outing Camps, also known then as the highest elevation sporting camp in Maine.
The 1930 Katahdin topo gives some perspective on where they were located. Notice the new and old Abol trails are both listed. There was also a 3rd lower spur that is not shown there.
1930 Katahdin Topo cutout
This past summer, I searched around a bit for some of these sites. The Garland camp site may still be visible. I did find some old camp artifacts in the approximate location, but I am not sure it was the precise location. The Sewall camp site was a bit more elusive. At the appoximate location, there is what looks like a terrace or ledge that is socked in with tight spruce. I didn't spend too much time looking to verify. The exact location has been documented at many different locations and elevations. I have 3 or 4 different locations and 3 seperate maps that show it in different places. It will take several hours or snooping around these areas to find it for sure.
The actual fire lookout was not a groundhouse or tower, it was a simple log platform built out on the slide just out from the camp. I do have one photo that I suspect is the lookout platform, but I have not confirmed it yet. These sites are definately intriguing and are worth a look if you like locating old Maine artifacts like I do.
Bill