Baldwin Run

PENNSYLVANIA LOOKOUTS

BALDWIN RUN

Tioga County
Tioga State Forest

September 24, 1919: "The wooden tower on Baldwin run will be repaired, until such time as larger appropriation will permit of steel tower there," (The Wellsboro Agitator)

February 17, 1921: "While digging the foundation for a steel fire tower on the Tioga State Forest, a curious stone was found. It is of a soapy texture and is covered with a thin shell of iron composition. Geologists, Forester Mulford says, sometimes call them kidney stones." (Wellsboro Gazette)

May 19, 1921: "Fire Warden Frank Davis, Jr., of this place, is on the lookout for forest fires. He spends his time at the Baldwin Run tower during the fire danger season. This tower is connected with telephone. Many miles of forest and country can be viewed from this tower. Fortunately there has been no fire in this territory during the past two years. Wisely, much interest is being taken in this kind of protection. What little timber remains should be guarded and protected jealously." (Wellsboro Gazette)

May 26, 1921: "Bears and porcupines are causing considerable loss of livestock and property in the Tioga State Forest, according to a report sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry by District Forester Mulford, of Wellsboro. Several sheep belonging to J.E. Olmstead, on Tiadaghton Hill, were carried off by bears a few days ago. Porcupines completely destroyed a heavy wooden box and the registry book at the Baldwin Run fire tower." (Wellsboro Gazette)

August 24, 1921: "The State Department of Forestry has ordered a new 47-foot steel fire observation tower to be erected on Baldwin Run to replace the old wooden tower there, which is unsafe.
This is the site where the U.S. Geological Survey erected a tower in 1899, from which Addison, N.Y., could be sighted, with triangulation instruments. The Elkland quadrangle was partially mapped from this tower. This point is 2,334 feet above sea level. This connects the Leetonia, Goodall and Maple Hill towers and practically covers Tioga county for fire observation.
The Baldwin Run tower will be easily accessible and well worth a trip to view the magnificent scenery from the top of the tower." (The Wellsboro Agitator)

August 25, 1921: State Forester Paul H. Mulford, of this borough, was advised last week by the Forestry Department that Baldwin Run had been selected as another site in Tioga county for a fire observatory tower and shipment of same would be made in a few days. This tower with three others, Leetonia, Goodall and Maple Hill, practically cover Tioga county for fire observation." (The Wellsboro Agitator)

September 7, 1921: "Work will be started on the new Baldwin Run tower as soon as the steel arrives." (The Wellsboro Agitator)

October 20, 1921: "One of the new steel fire towers in Forester Mulford's district has been erected at the high point on Baldwin Run, Chatham township. This tower has replaced the old wooden structure that stood there since 1899. During that year the engineers with the U.S. Geological Survey used the wooden tower in their surveys of that region." (The Wellsboro Agitator)

May 17, 1922: "A trip to the new Baldwin Run State Forestry observation tower, 6 ½ miles up Baldwin run, is well worth the effort of any nature lover who enjoys fine scenery. The road is passable if traveled with care and the magnificent view from the tower is worth all the bumps you get in reaching it. Pick out a clear day when there is no haze and take your binoculars. Don't try it when the roads are wet. This is the nearest tower to Wellsboro, and visitors are welcome--'Be careful with fire in the woods—it pays.'" (The Wellsboro Agitator)

July 26, 1922: "Chatham and Delmar townships have been fixing the Baldwin Run road, cleaning out the ditches and cutting out the brush. In a few days this road will be in good condition and any car can make the trip easily to the fire tower. The view from the tower is wonderful; try it some time." (The Wellsboro Agitator)

August 2, 1922: "C.H. Flory, of the Department of Forestry, is sketching topography of Tioga county from the top of Baldwin Run forest fire observation tower. He is making a map that will enable the lookout man on the tower to locate more accurately any forest fire that may occur within view of the tower." (The Wellsboro Agitator)

August 16, 1922: "Few fire towers in Pennsylvania, or anywhere else for that matter, have been located by leaking water from the radiator of a flivver, but such is the case according to reliable authority. Forester Paul H. Mulford, of Wellsboro, accompanied by state officials, were in the Tioga valley to locate a new steel fire tower. Years ago the government made a geological survey and at the highest points and lowest as well, marked the same by posts and markers giving the name, date, elevation. The new steel fire tower on Baldwin run is on one of them. The foresters made a pilgrimage about nine miles from Lambscreek, where, on lands of James M. Rarick, the government put a marker and wood tower which has since come down. It was reached by auto over an abandoned road, but to locate the bench mark was another task. Forester Mulford saw his radiator was leaking and getting down under to locate the trouble found the water escaping had washed away the debris and displayed the location of the bench mark he was looking for and over which the new tower will rear its stately head. -- North American." (The Wellsboro Agitator)

October 5, 1922: "Two truck loads of High School students with other volunteers numbering about 75 were called out by the local Forestry Department yesterday afternoon to fight fire on the Baldwin Run mountains. The fire which had been raging during the day, was under control in a few hours after the arrival of the sturdy, young fire-fighters, who with the exception of night guards were able to return home soon after midnight.
It is presumed that the fire started from sparks emitted from an engine attached to a well drilling outfit which passed up the mountain road during the day. The woods are so dry and dusty from the continued drought that but for timely discovery of the blaze by the watcher at the Baldwin Run fire tower much more damage would have been done." (Wellsboro Gazette)

February 13, 1935: "Under the direction of Paul Mulford and Forest Ranger Smith, the tract about Baldwin Run Fire Tower has been improved. The forest roads and trails have been widened by cutting back the brush, as a means to stop the spread of any fire in this locality. At the site of the tower, fireplaces and picnic tables have been erected for the use of the public. The final improvements, such as painting and finish grading, will be carried on by the Department when weather conditions are more favorable. Dean Vandergrift, of Wellsboro, was in charge of the workmen on this project." (Wellsboro Agitator)

April 14, 1949: "The Department has five fire towers in Tioga County. The names of the towermen and location of the towers are as follows: Glen Fuller on Baldwin Tower at the head of Baldwin Run." (Wellsboro Gazette)

Removed

National Geodetic Survey

DESIGNATION - BALDWIN
PID - LZ1688
STATE/COUNTY- PA/TIOGA
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - ASAPH (1969)

STATION DESCRIPTION

DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1933 (GLA)
STATION IS ABOUT 8 MILES NW OF WELLSBORO, ON STATE LAND AND AT THE
BALDWIN FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER. THE MARK IS 37 FEET W OF THE CENTER OF
THE TOWER (NO. 802), 27 FEET E OF THE NE CORNER OF A SMALL WHITE
HOUSE AND 22 FEET SW OF A TELEPHONE POLE. THE MARK PROJECTS 2 INCHES.

TO REACH THE STATION FROM WELLSBORO, FOLLOW U.S. HIGHWAY 6, TO ITS
JUNCTION WITH HIGHWAY 84, FOLLOW HIGHWAY 84 N 0.7 MILE TO THE
BALDWIN CREEK ROAD, THERE IS A SIGN HERE POINTING TO THE BALDWIN FIRE
TOWER, FOLLOW THIS ROAD 6 MILES TO THE TOWER AND STATION.