BEAR CAVE
Pennsylvania - Westmoreland County
December 14, 1923: "District Forester V.M. Bearer of Ligonier announces the completion of a new forest fire observation tower on the summit of Chestnut Ridge, four miles south of Derry, in Westmoreland county. This tower stands at an elevation of 2,640 feet, is 60 feet high, and located on the most westerly ridge of the Allegheny mountains. From it can be seen an enormous area of Western Pennsylvania, of which not less than 150,000 acres is forest land. On clear days it is possible to look into Indiana county and westward as far as the human eye can see.
The new tower is called Bear Cave Observation Tower. It is so named because of a natural bear cave in the nearby rocks. It is said that years ago a large number of big bears spent their winters in this cave.
The tower was erected cooperatively by the private forest land owners of Westmoreland county and the State Department of Forests and Waters. The state purchased the tower and cabin at a cost of $869. Forty-five private contributors subscribed a total of $1,074.25." (The Daily Courier)
The new tower is called Bear Cave Observation Tower. It is so named because of a natural bear cave in the nearby rocks. It is said that years ago a large number of big bears spent their winters in this cave.
The tower was erected cooperatively by the private forest land owners of Westmoreland county and the State Department of Forests and Waters. The state purchased the tower and cabin at a cost of $869. Forty-five private contributors subscribed a total of $1,074.25." (The Daily Courier)