NEW JERSEY LOOKOUTS

CULVERS LAKE

Sussex County

1918:  "In co-operation with the Federal Forest Service, by which $250 of necessary funds were furnished under the so-called 'Weeks Law,' a lookout tower and telephone connection are under construction on the Kittatinny Ridge near Culvers Lake in Sussex County."  (Annual Report - Department of Conservation and Development, 1917-18)

1919:  "During the fall of 1918 an additional Lookout Station was erected and equipped on the Stokes State Forest, near Culver's Lake, Sussex County, with State funds supplemented by an allotment of $250 from Federal funds through the so-called 'Weeks Law."  Since April, 1919, this Station has been actively at work."  (Annual Report - Department of Conservation and Development, 1918-19)

April 27, 1923:   "The Culver tower, on Kittatinny Mountain, in Sussex county, about one mile northeast of Culvers Gap, was built in 1918 by the State and Federal Governments.  A view of the entire Stokes State forest and also broad stretches of Pike county, Pa., and Orange county, N.Y., may be seen from it.  To reach the tower turn to the north from the Branchville-Dingmans road on to the Beamerville Road immediately in Culvers Gap and watch for the trail sign."   (The Freehold Transcript and The Monmouth Inquirer)

July 27, 1954:   "State Police are investigating the shooting out of five windows at the Culvers Lake fire lookout tower atop Surprise Mountain, Stillwater Township.  This was disclosed today by Erwin Clemens, division warden for the State Forest Fire Service.
      According to Clemens, the first shot was fired at 4:30 p.m. yesterday.  That was the radio report from Robert Jennings, observer inside the tower.  The shooting continued until 6 p.m. despite Jennings waving of his handkerchief to warn the shooters the tower was occupied.  He wasn't hurt.
      The shooting is believed to have been done by boys having target practice and not knowing there was someone inside the 60-foot high tower."   (The Herald-News)