SOUTH CAROLINA LOOKOUTS
DRAYTONVILLE
Cherokee County
South Carolina Forestry Commission
South Carolina Forestry Commission
May 5, 1945: "R.E. Johnson, the owner, has deeded one and one-third acres on top of Draytonville mountain to the
South Carolina State Commission of Forestry for forestry purposes.
Mr. Johnson said commission representatives informed him a 60-foot steel lookout tower will be erected on top of the mountain and a four-room caretaker's residence will be erected. Electric lights will be run to the top of the mountain and a well will be dug to provide water.
Draytonville, rising about 200 feet above ground level, is five miles out of Gaffney on the Wilkinsville highway. The mountain has always been a popular place for picnics and outings. Mr. Johnson plans to make a real estate development of the property." (The Gaffney Ledger)
February 7, 1946: "Erection of a 45-foot-9-inch steel fire watch tower on top of 200-foot Draytonville mountain, five miles east of Gaffney, has been completed by the South Carolina Forestry Commission, it was announced yesterday by Ernest C. Sparks, Cherokee county forest ranger.
Only windows remain to be installed in the tower.
The commission plans to build a home on top of Draytonville for the use of the watchman, but scarcity of materials has prevented this work from being started yet.
The tower's bases is approximately 13 1-2 feet square, giving a diagolan of about 19 feet.
Stairs lead from the group to the top." (The Gaffney Ledger)
August 17, 1946: "Approval by the South Carolina state forestry department of the selection by the Cherokee county forestry board of Roland C. Parker to serve as towerman for the Draytonville observation tower has been announced.
Mr. Parker lives at the foot of Draytonville mountain, on top of which is located the fire observation tower he will serve. He has been manager of the canteen in the Alma Mills. He will assume his new duties in the completion of installation of necessary observation instruments in the tower." (The Gaffney Ledger)
April 14, 1959: "Draytonville Towerman Roland Parker reported Monday the gauge at the lookout station there registered 1.65 inches of rain over the week-end." (The Gaffney Ledger)