BIG FLAT
Pennsylvania - Cumberland County - Michaux State Forest
July 28, 1921: "Major R.Y. Stuart, Deputy Commissioner of Forestry, has announced the locations of 22 additional steel towers that will be erected this summer by the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry. These towers are in addition to the 18 previously announced. The department plans to put up 50 steel fire lookout towers before the fall fire season opens next fall. The other 10 sites will be announced soon.
One of these towers will be erected at Big Flat on the South Mountain." (The Chronicle)
One of these towers will be erected at Big Flat on the South Mountain." (The Chronicle)
November 5, 1921: "Two steel forest fire observation towers have been erected in the Michaux State Forest by the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry. Both towers have enclosed tops and glass windows to protect the towerman from the chilly blasts of late fall and early spring, when they will be on duty watching for forest fires.
One tower was put on the Big Flat at an elevation of about 2080 feet above sea level. This tower is sixty feet high, enabling the observer to detect quickly all forest fires in the western part of the Michauax District. It is connected by telephone with a commercial telephone line, providing swift communication with the Forester and his assistants in case a fire occurs." (Gettysburg Compiler)
November 25, 1936: "Do you know that from a point of vantage known as Big Flat on top of South Mountain in Cumberland county one can have a most splendid panoramic view of the Cumberland valley?
A fire tower is located atop this elevation. From this tower the entire Cumberland valley is unfolded. On clear days the monuments of the Battlefield of Gettysburg come into view.
To drive to Big Flat leave Shippensburg (route 11) over a dirt road three miles mountainward. From Pine Grove Furnace a dirt road leading southwest to Shippensburg crosses South Mountain. From Harrisburg, route 11 may be followed to Carlisle and then route 34 is taken to Mt. Holly Springs, Hunters Run, and then west to Pine Grove Furnace." (Gettysburg Times)