BALD KNOB
West Virginia - Pocahontas County - West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
1916: "This station is located in Green Bank District, Pocahontas County, seven miles from Cass, and four and one half miles from Spruce, and is under the supervision of F.M. Glenn. To reach the station, it is necessary to walk from Cass as there is no road. The elevation is 4,800 feet and commands a view of approximately 900 square miles. The watchman, W.B. Ratliff, receives his mail at Spruce during the fire season and at Caldwell outside of fire season. The nearest telegraph office is Cass, West Virginia, and under ordinary conditions, a message can be delivered to the station in thirty minutes after it is received at Cass. Mr. Ratliff lives ninety miles from the station and necessarily makes his home at the station while on duty."
"With but few exceptions the stations have all been constructed on the same plan, in the shape of a truncated pyramid, and are two stories in height, being ten feet square at the base, six feet square at the top and twenty feet in height.
When the man employed as watchman lives a considerable distance from the station, it is necessary for him to remain there at night, and the lower room is used as cooking and sleeping quarters. In some sections where the community is thickly populated and a watchman can be secured who lives near the site of the station only a one story tower is built, this being used entirely as an observation tower." (4th Biennial Report of the Forest, Game and Fish Warden)
"With but few exceptions the stations have all been constructed on the same plan, in the shape of a truncated pyramid, and are two stories in height, being ten feet square at the base, six feet square at the top and twenty feet in height.
When the man employed as watchman lives a considerable distance from the station, it is necessary for him to remain there at night, and the lower room is used as cooking and sleeping quarters. In some sections where the community is thickly populated and a watchman can be secured who lives near the site of the station only a one story tower is built, this being used entirely as an observation tower." (4th Biennial Report of the Forest, Game and Fish Warden)
1923: A 53-foot Blaw-Knox steel tower was erected.
October 10, 1926: "The Bald Knob tower in Pocahontas County have connection with the Cloverlick and Durbin Telephone Company and the Marlinton and Elk Telephone Company. Both of these companies have connection with the Marlinton central office." (Charleston Gazette)
February 16, 1930: "At the top of Bald Knob is the new steel fire tower and each one must climb the steps to the lookout above where a majestic view is afforded. At the present time this is the highest vantage point in West Virginia, and as one looks about at the great panorama of wrinkles and furrows formed by the hills and valley--all enveloped by a soft blue haze that lends a dreamy aspect to the picture--one feels that such a view is well worth the climb." (Charleston Daily Mail)
April 27, 1958: "Some irony in the battle of forest fire fighting resulted recently when snow blocked the roadway to the Bald Knob fire tower, Asher W. Kelly, assistant state forester in charge of forest fire control, said. While snow blocked the entrance to the Pocahontas tower, approximately 100 fires fought by over 300 men raged in the southern part of the state, Kelly said.
The Bald Knob tower was finally manned by personnel from Paddy's Knob tower who reached the tower who reached the tower with the aid of snowshoes, Kelly said. The Bald Knob tower is operated by the state while the Paddy's Knob tower is operated by the Federal government." (Beckley Post-Herald The Raleigh Register)
1977: The last year the lookout was staffed.