This is one of the best places in the area to go stargazing. It also used to be one of the most convenient. This little stone hut was built in the 1930s as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. That’s the kind of project we need these days instead of handing out free welfare money; let the government (we the taxpayer, actually) get something for their dollar.

Anyway, I digress. This little stone hut houses a diagram of the Double Ditch Indian Village and gives a brief history thereof. It had a metal roof up until the Lewis and Clark craze started; then the whole area got a makeover with signage, walking trails…the works. The hut got a new roof and some maintenance.

It’s no longer the most convenient place because Double Ditch Loop is no longer a through street there. It used to lead right past “the Hut.” Whether it was really fears of the eroding cliffs giving way or just a good excuse not to have a road to maintain, the bottom half of Double Ditch Loop was destroyed and turned into a foot path. Now you have to hoof it a bit to get to this 70 year old landmark. There used to be turnstiles between the two stone columns shown in the picture there, and some wooden/stone steps. Those have since been removed.

I have fond memories of sitting up there with friends, eating Pizza Hut breadsticks and listening to music, while watching the stars and an occasional satellite whizzing by. It’s far enough away from the city lights to provide great viewing, yet close enough to reach within a few minutes. Watch for deer. Since it’s north of the city it provides a clear view of the northern horizon in case of Aurora Borealis. There’s also a stone picnic table on the lookout point at the end of Double Ditch Loop, where the walking trail to the Hut begins.