BANNING KNOB
Pennsylvania - Fayette County
February 23, 1940: "A new forest fire tower, to be known as the Banning Knob tower, is to be erected on the Banning property in the mountains back of Casparis, according to V.M. Bierer, district forester.
Fayette county, said Bierer, has been one of the 'sore thumbs' in forest fire toll in the district and he stressed the need of an 'extensive educational program to cut down on the number of fires and the area covered.'
In 1938, the county had the greatest loss, but the fire wardens were given more assistance in crew men last year and cut down the loss, despite the high number of fires." (The Morning Herald)
Fayette county, said Bierer, has been one of the 'sore thumbs' in forest fire toll in the district and he stressed the need of an 'extensive educational program to cut down on the number of fires and the area covered.'
In 1938, the county had the greatest loss, but the fire wardens were given more assistance in crew men last year and cut down the loss, despite the high number of fires." (The Morning Herald)
October 25, 1940: "The Department of Forests and Waters is hoping to be able to sponsor a WPA project with which aid the Work Hill observation tower, located four miles southwest of Connellsville, will be replaced by another station on Banning Knob, near the junction of Indian Creek and Youghiogheny River. Mr. Bearer stated a tower at this place will provide adequate detection for Fayette counties most serious forest fire region." (The Daily Courier)
October 27, 1941: "Pennsylvania forest service is to establish a new observation station at Casparis, Connellsville township, Ray Addis, inspector for Fayette county, announced last night.
The station is to be located on Banning Knob above South Connellsville and should aid in spotting any fires in Bullskin and Dunbar townships, along with the territory in Connellsville township." (The Morning Herald)
April 10, 1942: "The cabin at Banning Knob, which is to be used as the forest fire fighting service of the Forbes Forest District, in charge of Forester V.M. Bearer, is being erected at the highest point on the mountain overlooking the community.
The two story cabin, 12 x 16 feet, is octagon in shape. Atop the structure is to be erected a cupola, about 10-feet in diameter, which will serve as the tower that will permit the towerman an excellent of the rolling hills and valleys for miles around, particularly a commanding view of the area along the Youghtogheay River which is one of the spot most frequently visited by forest fires. The structure id of pre-fabricated wood, made at the NYA shop at Meyersdale and hauled to the site for assembly.
The cabin is situated about three and a half miles from Connellsville along the West Penn Power Company power line, about half a mile northwest of the junction of Indian Creek and the Youghtogheay River.
The Banning Knob tower is one of those that will be equipped with a radio." (The Daily Courier)
April 28, 1942: "Towerman John Groh of South Connellsville, located at the new Banning Knob Tower, however, was able to detect the scope of the the fire but was unable to localize it because of the haze." (The Daily Courier)
August 7, 1942: "Radios have been installed in the Pond Field Knob and Banning Knob fire towers in Fayette county as well as Bald Knob fire tower in Westmoreland county.
Radio Engineer L.C. Palmer installed the ultra short wave transmitter-receiver sets of radio frequency 3,900 kilocycles which have been especially designed for forest fire and flood control service." (The Daily Courier)
October 20, 1950: "The forest fire lookout tower on Banning Knob, along the Springfield Pike, may be abandoned because of inaccessibility and poor telephone service.
H.B. Rowland, of Harrisburg, chief forest fire warden, will confer on the matter Monday with Loren R. Brown, district forester. Plans now call for the erection of an 80-foot tower three miles from Connellsville and one-half mile off Route 711." (The Morning Herald)
Removed