PENNSYLVANIA LOOKOUTS
CHERRY SPRINGS
Potter County
October 10, 1917: "An observation tower is being built on the highest point in the Black Forest, about one and one-half miles from Cherry Springs, which will be used for the sighting of forest fires in the county. The tower will be 70 feet high when completed and is at the present time erected to about 40 feet. It is constructed of steel and is being erected by the State Forestry Department. The tower will be connected by telephone so that news of any forest fire can be quickly spread. This tower will no doubt prove of considerable interest to tourists.--Westfield Free Press." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
1917: "A new steel tower was erected in August and September of this year (1917) near Cherry Springs, Potter County. The tower is sixty feet high and from it the observer can detect the first smoke of a fire anywhere within a radius of from 15 to 25 miles. A tabulation of the cost of the tower follows: Cost of tower - $350.00; Freight on tower - $24.98; Staking out site and digging holes - $54.03; Foundation - $47.42; Erection - $127.94; Road and Improvement to site - $16.80. Total - $621.17.
In the fall of 1916 quotations on towers were received from ten or twelve firms. In the spring of 1917 quotations were again requested and the prices had increased from 30 to 45%. The tower was purchased from the Aermotor Company of Chicago.
The Cherry Springs tower a set of stairs has been ordered. The tower stands near a much traveled State highway and attracts a great deal of attention. Making the top of the tower possible of access will mean enjoyment for many people and at the same time an increased interest in forest protection by the people. The stairs will also mean less danger of accident to our observer who would otherwise have to use the iron ladder.
The Cherry Springs tower is farther away from habitation than the Sand Mountain tower and a telephone connection is an absolute need to make it of value in fire season. Not withstanding the present cost of telephone equipment, connection should be made at once, with the existing State telephone system." (Report of the Chief Forest Fire Warden for 1917)
1918: "In June, iron steps were erected on the steel tower on the State Forest near Cherry Springs, Potter county. The Gray Chemical Company and the National Chemical Company contributed $71.25, each, toward the purchase of these steps. This bureau paid $142.50 on the steps, and all of the costs of erection, $208.99." (Chief Forest Fire Warden Report of 1918)
1918: Of particular interest in connection with our forest fire work was the extension of the State Forest telephone line in Potter county, running from Carter Camp to the Cherry Springs tower, a distance of about thirteen miles." (Chief Forest Fire Warden Report for 1918)
August 3, 1921: "At Cherry Springs is a beautiful camping ground, with spring water as cold as ice.
The Forestry Department has erected a steel fire signal tower at this point, from the top of which one may look over 200,000 acres of forest lands belonging to the state. The whole horizon comes into view from the topmost platform and range upon range of mountains roll away for thirty or more miles in every direction. Sixty days hence, when the forests come into their ripened tints and before the leaves fall, this view must be sublime." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
August 10, 1921: "Charles Flory, a graduate forester, employed by the Bureau of Protection in the Department of Forestry, is in Potter county for the purpose of making maps to be used on the four steel fire towers for forest fire observation. He is working at the Cherry Springs tower. This work is interesting." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
December 3, 1924: "Hunters along Little Kettle creek, a few days ago found a buck with his horns fast in some saplings. In his efforts to free himself, he had broken his neck. The carcass had been partly eaten by animals. One morning recently Jap Knecht, watchman at the Cherry Springs fire tower, found the carcass of a doe that had been dogged to death. Ordinarily fleet enough to escape a dog, this animal was handicapped by some previous accident, whereby she had lost a front leg at the knee." (The Wellsboro Gazette)