NORTH CAROLINA LOOKOUTS
SOUTHERN PINES
Moore County
North Carolina Division of Forest Resources
North Carolina Division of Forest Resources
July 1934: The Civilian Conservation Corps erected a 72-foot 9-inch steel tower and a 4-room tower house at a cost of $991.47. The Emergency Conservation Works program covered the cost, the state not having to contribute with finances. (Department of Conservation and Development - 6th Biennial Report 1934-36)
August 31, 1934: "Alex Fields informs us that the blue prints and the steel are on the way for the fire tower on Cemetery Hill." (The Pilot)
September 7, 1934: "A detail from the C.C.C. camp at Jackson Springs has been busy for several days leveling, spreading gravel, and preparing foundations for the proposed 'Fire Tower' to be located west of Mt. Hope cemetery on a plot donated by Paul Barnum." (The Pilot)
October 12, 1934: "On the top of the hill adjoining Mt. Hope Cemetery west of Southern Pines a group of CCC men are now engaged in building the observation tower for the forestry service. The material is on the ground to provide a handsome steel tower almost 70 feet from the ground to the coping of the roof. It will be about 25 feet on the square at the bottom, with an enclosed cabin at the top equipped with observation instruments to locate fires or other undesirable conditions in any direction, and with a series of cross sections to enable the observer to determine the exact position of any fire signs on hearing from other towers the direction from them.
Telephone connection will be made with all points on the telephone system of the surrounding country, so that a complete control of local conditions can be gained at all times. A building to house the equipment necessary for the forestry work and fire control has already been completed. It will be enlarged later and possibly provision made that a resident caretaker may be housed there.
The location is not only highly picturesque, but it gives a commanding view of the country for miles in all directions. A broad road is under construction from the tower site to the Pinehurst road just east, the old Morganton road, and it is the intention to plant and improve the plot, part of the Barnum property, and make of the place one of the small parks of the community. It will be an important new feature of the Southern Pines rural neighborhood." (The Pilot)
July 10, 1942: "There is an urgent need for at least four women and from four to six men as volunteer airplane observers or 'spotters' to be prepared to man the post at the fire tower just outside of Southern Pines." (The Pilot)
1958-60: A new Towerman's residence was constructed at Southern Pines Tower. (Biennial Report of the Department of Conservation and Development)