PLEASANT VALLEY RESERVOIR
Vermont - Windham County
July 23, 1943: "Overlooking beautiful Pleasant Valley. an attractive, pagoda-like new fire tower erected by the Brattleboro water department under the supervision of Water Superintendent Justin A. Holden now commands a protective view of the reservoir and the town's 300 acres of watershed with its million pines and spruces--an area which cannot be observed from any of the state fire towers in this region.
Completed except for some finishing work inside, the 34-foot wooden structure, which is snug enough to be habitable the year around, was built at a cost of about $1,100 and is expected to pay for itself as a sentinel.
It is a three-storied affair anchored with cement on a foundation of natural ledges ans is given additional, just in case support against the wind by four heavy guy wires strung from each corner of the top story. The base is 12 x 12 feet, the second story 10 x 10 and the top deck 8 x 8. It is so constructed that another story may be easily added any time it should become necessary. The first two stories are being finished off with wall board. The project was started about May 1 in a leisurely manner with never more than three men working at any one time.
All of the work was done by water department employes under Holden's direction. The department sawed all the lumber for the construction except clapboards and window frames.
The tower is painted a neat white which is set off by tar shingles used on the roof. A telephone has been installed and eventually, Holden said, electricity probably will be put in. In connection with fire protection work a sectional map is to be drawn and posted in the tower. A pickup truck will be available t the tower and a supply of Indian hand pumps for fighting brush and forest fires will be on hand.
Wayne Yeaw, a veteran town and water department employe, will be stationed at the tower part of the time, Holden said. It is not planned to man the tower 24 hours a day except in very dry seasons, he explained, but someone will be there or near by part of each day the year around. During dry spells Holden and Herbert Ingalls will spend alternate Sundays there." (The Brattleboro Reformer)
Completed except for some finishing work inside, the 34-foot wooden structure, which is snug enough to be habitable the year around, was built at a cost of about $1,100 and is expected to pay for itself as a sentinel.
It is a three-storied affair anchored with cement on a foundation of natural ledges ans is given additional, just in case support against the wind by four heavy guy wires strung from each corner of the top story. The base is 12 x 12 feet, the second story 10 x 10 and the top deck 8 x 8. It is so constructed that another story may be easily added any time it should become necessary. The first two stories are being finished off with wall board. The project was started about May 1 in a leisurely manner with never more than three men working at any one time.
All of the work was done by water department employes under Holden's direction. The department sawed all the lumber for the construction except clapboards and window frames.
The tower is painted a neat white which is set off by tar shingles used on the roof. A telephone has been installed and eventually, Holden said, electricity probably will be put in. In connection with fire protection work a sectional map is to be drawn and posted in the tower. A pickup truck will be available t the tower and a supply of Indian hand pumps for fighting brush and forest fires will be on hand.
Wayne Yeaw, a veteran town and water department employe, will be stationed at the tower part of the time, Holden said. It is not planned to man the tower 24 hours a day except in very dry seasons, he explained, but someone will be there or near by part of each day the year around. During dry spells Holden and Herbert Ingalls will spend alternate Sundays there." (The Brattleboro Reformer)
October 11, 1947: "Water Superintendent Justin A. Holden said the fire tower on Pleasant Valley road has been manned for some time now because of the excessive dryness of the woods on the departments watershed." (The Brattleboro Reformer)
October 18, 1947: "The development of the watershed as a picnic and scenic area is included in the plans. The building of picnic tables and outdoor fireplaces in the pine grove on the north shore of Sunset Lake will be undertaken. The fire tower near the Pleasant Valley Reservoir is already a favorite spot for picnickers." (The Brattleboro Reformer)
October 29, 1973: "Friday morning, destruction of an electric meter at a town-owned fire tower on Pleasant Valley Road." (The Brattleboro Reformer)
January 8, 1974: "Monday afternoon, the Brattleboro Department of Public Works reported to police that the fire tower at Pleasant Valley had been 'shot up.'
Damage was reported to the door of the tower, to telephone lines at the site, and other parts of the tower." (The Brattleboro Reformer)
February 28, 1979: "Police reported a break-in and vandalism at the fire tower at the Pleasant Valley Reservoir." (The Brattleboro Reformer)