ALABAMA LOOKOUTS
BLUE MOUNTAIN
Calhoun County
Alabama Forestry Commission
Alabama Forestry Commission
July 25, 1942: "The Anniston Land Company will donate the right of way, from chartered Folsom Avenue to the top of Blue Mountain for a road to the site of a lookout tower to be erected for forest fire protection service. In addition to giving the right of way, the land company will give the site for the 80-foot tower, this being about an acre of ground.
The officials of Anniston will cooperate with the State Forest Service in clearing the right of way so that trucks can get to the top of the mountain with material for building the tower. The right of way will be determined, now, however, so that if the need arises in the future a good road can be constructed. The main purpose now is to get the tower built and ready for use in the dry season next fall." (The Anniston Star)
The officials of Anniston will cooperate with the State Forest Service in clearing the right of way so that trucks can get to the top of the mountain with material for building the tower. The right of way will be determined, now, however, so that if the need arises in the future a good road can be constructed. The main purpose now is to get the tower built and ready for use in the dry season next fall." (The Anniston Star)
November 5, 1942: "Construction of Anniston's fire tower on Blue Mountain, which will become a vital part of the Civilian defense-conservation program, had reached the 20-foot level today.
H.P. Harris, city engineer, for a while this morning thought work would have to halt temporarily because of the lack of bolts. But the bolts, he learned, already had been made, so work continued.
The completed tower will rear 54 feet above the peak of Blue Mountain, overlooking great stretches of woodland in all directions." (The Anniston Star)
May 16, 1943: "Anniston soon will have a unique distinction. This new distinction will be the only municipality in the nation with a fire tower. The tower is part of the State Forest Service system of watch towers in Calhoun County and this area.
The concrete and steel foundations for the tower already have been installed on top of Blue Mountain in the northeast section of the city. The creosoted timbers for the tower already have been cut and made ready for assembly. They constitute less than a carload and there is some difficulty in getting immediate delivery from Atmore.
The site for the tower was donated by the Anniston Land Company, Citizens of Calhoun County, the city and county commissions have made the tower available by contributing three ways for the cost. In addition the city and the county collaborated in getting a truck trail built up to the site so that materials could be hauled there in trucks.
The purpose of the system of watch towers is to locate forest fires quickly and to have them extinguished before they have time to do thousands of dollars worth of damage to timber." (The Anniston Star)
June 1, 1944: "Calhoun County's fire tower atop Blue Mountain was struck by lightning sometime yesterday, it was discovered late yesterday afternoon by Sheriff Bill Borders.
Called to see the damage which watchmen thought was done by vandals, Sheriff Borders investigated and stated that the structure had been hit by lightning. All of the windows were smashed and the frame of the building was damaged.
Repairs will cost approximately $75 the Sheriff estimated this morning." (The Anniston Star)
Called to see the damage which watchmen thought was done by vandals, Sheriff Borders investigated and stated that the structure had been hit by lightning. All of the windows were smashed and the frame of the building was damaged.
Repairs will cost approximately $75 the Sheriff estimated this morning." (The Anniston Star)
October 7, 1949: "Forest Ranger C.B. Chandler warned today that there would be 'trouble' for persons who further continued to damage window panes at the Blue Mountain Lookout Tower.
Mr. Chandler said that 44 of the 48 window panes in the lookout tower had been broken by teenagers or others shooting the panes with rifles.
He said that if the shooting continued law enforcement officers would have to take steps to correct the occurrences." (The Anniston Star)
September 1, 1953: "Mr. Chandler told Commissioners that a third of the forest fires in Calhoun County are in this township, but the shortage of funds threatens to remove the fire patrolman in this area and close the Blue Mountain lookout tower.
The ranger suggested a contribution of $2,000 for continued full protection of County forests, and declared that the State will match any locally given funds. The County Commission is expected to give $4,500 or maybe $5,000, he added." (The Anniston Star)
October 28, 1954: "Vandals broke into the Blue Mountain fire tower and completely wrecked the equipment and station on or about Oct. 17. State Forest Ranger C.D. Chandler revealed today.
He reported that approximately $100 worth of damage was done to the building. Eight window frames were broken out, window panes were broken, the map stand and other equipment was destroyed and the place was scared and hacked by axes.
No one was on duty when the incident occurred, he said, as the tower is not manned on a regular basis. He expressed the opinion that the state will move the tower to another location.
Investigation is now underway, but no progress has been reported in apprehending the culprits." (The Anniston Star)