BURNING ROCK
West Virginia - Wyoming County - West Virginia Division of Forestry
August 14, 1942: "W.F. Blankenship, emergency fire warden for the forestry division of the conservation commission yesterday killed two rattlesnakes, one of which was a record 44 inches, near the fire tower at Burning Rock.
The 44 inch snake was a yellow rattlesnake and the smaller one was a black rattler measuring about 38 inches. Blankenship said that he saw a third one which he believed to be larger than either of the ones he killed." (The Raleigh Register)
The 44 inch snake was a yellow rattlesnake and the smaller one was a black rattler measuring about 38 inches. Blankenship said that he saw a third one which he believed to be larger than either of the ones he killed." (The Raleigh Register)
March 9, 1950: "Reappointed for the designated towers were: Burning Rock, Hufford Toler, of Simon." (The Raleigh Register)
November 16, 1954: "A spokesman at the Beckley office of the Commission said today that the Burning Rock tower opened today." (The Raleigh Register)
October 6, 1957: "Fire tower observers for District 4 have been selected and will go on duty when hunting season starts, because of the increased use of the forest areas, Carl Lucas, district forester for the State Conservation Commission, said.
Robert Blankenship, Burning Rock, Wyoming." (Beckley Post-Herald The Raleigh Register)
October 26, 1958: "The following men will serve as tower observers in Wyoming County and the surrounding vicinity during the Fall Forest Fire Danger season: Robert Blankenship, Burning Rock, near Oceana." (Beckley Post-Herald The Raleigh Register)
October 13, 1960: "Although by law, the fall forest fire season began Oct. 1, and ends Dec. 31, the actual danger season is just getting under way, according to Carl Lucas, district forester.
All towers in District Four are now manned. Willie Trent of Pineville is at Burning Rock." (The Raleigh Register)
February 16, 1961: "It will no longer be necessary for attendants to climb the final distance to the Burning Rock Fire Tower.
According to Avery McMillin, Wyoming County forester, a new road has been constructed making it possible to reach the tower by truck.
Assisting in the construction, he said, were Ray Lawson, Raleigh County forester; Joseph Lilly, Mercer County forester; who operated the bulldozer, and Lee Belcher, Wyoming County patrolman.
Burning Rock Tower is located near the Wyoming-Logan County line at a spot 3,050 feet above sea level. Being the highest point in the vicinity, the tower height is approximately 14 feet.
A new, modern block cabin also has been completed at the site, McMillin said." (The Raleigh Register)