PENNSYLVANIA LOOKOUTS
COAL KNOB
Warren County
Allegheny National Forest
Allegheny National Forest
June 11, 1924: "As a result of a federal appropriation of $800,00 it is believed 50,000 acres will be added to the Allegheny National Forest Reserve which now consists of 155,000 acres of cut over timber land in northwestern Pennsylvania and New York.
The appropriation also makes possible erection of a fire tower at Kinzua in the heart of the forest. The tower will be put up in the fall, forestry officials said." (The Daily Notes)
The appropriation also makes possible erection of a fire tower at Kinzua in the heart of the forest. The tower will be put up in the fall, forestry officials said." (The Daily Notes)
July 7, 1924: "L.L. Bishop, supervisor of the Allegheny national forest, has just been notified of the government's approval of plans for the erection of a fire tower at Kinzua.
The tower will be erected during the late summer and will provide more adequate forest fire protection in this county." (The Warren Tribune)
August 19, 1924: "Making preparations for an immediate start on the construction work on the fire tower near Kinzua, the federal forestry department is employing a gang of men to build a road leading to the tower.
Material for the construction is ready for use and is to be carried over the new road to the tower. The road is not to be a highway for general use.
Federal Forest Supervisor Bishop said today that every effort will be made to have the tower completed before cold weather." (The Warren Tribune)
August 30, 1924: "Four thousand pounds of steel has arrived for the construction of the Coal Knob fire tower at Kinzua. Work will begin on the tower immediately.
A road is being built leading up to the tower which is to be used for the transportation of supply materials and equipment. The road which is not a public roadway, is nearly completed, and will be finished in a week or ten days.
The fire tower which is to be one of the most complete in this section will be finished ready for use sometime in September." (The Warren Tribune)
October 31, 1924: "The Coal Knob fire tower near Kinzua has been completed and is now perhaps the greatest show spot in the state from a scenic standpoint. This is the only federal tower in the national forest. It is only 30 feet in height but on account of the extreme altitude of the location spot commands as wide a radius as do those elevated to twice that height, it contains at the top an observatory, constructed of plate glass; the glass by the way was donated by the American Plate Glass corporation of Durant City. This is 14 x 14 feet in size and living quarters for the observer are also provided at the top of the tower. Two miles of telephone line lead away from the tower which places the observer in communication with the whole surrounding country and enables him to quickly spread the news when he discovers a blaze from his lofty perch. A road has been constructed so it is possible to drive to the tower with an automobile providing ordinary care is used. Some of the road is narrow, but frequent places have been provided where two cars may pass." (The Kane Republican)
May 18, 1927: "L.L. Bishop, H.B. Rowland and R.M. Conarro, forestry officials, spent part of Saturday afternoon looking over possible sites for a fire tower on Coal Knob, near Kinzua." (The Warren Tribune)
August 31, 1927: "Four thousand pounds of steel has arrived for the construction of the Coal Knob fire tower at Kinzua. Work will begin on the tower immediately." (The Warren Tribune)