NEW YORK LOOKOUTS
HARTZFELT MOUNTAIN
Cattaraugus County
September 6, 1923: "Plans were made to build a fire tower at Flat Iron to prevent severe losses in forest fires." (Olean Times)
September 7, 1923: "Steps are being taken by R.L. Witherell, state forest ranger, for the erection of a fire tower near Flat Iron rock on a hill above the city. Mr. Witherell has received assurance from the state department that it will maintain and man the tower, but will not stand the expense for its erection. It is estimated that it will cost between $1,200 and $1,500 to construct the building and an effort will be made to raise the money through the towns of Olean, Allegany and Portville, cottage owners on Flat Iron rock and oil producers.
It is pointed out that the area within a 15-mile radius would be protected from forest fires. Plans call for construction of a tower 20 feet in diameter at the base and 70 feet high. The lookout station at the top would be eight feet square. The tower would be equipped with a telephone, range glass and panorama map of the vicinity.
Maintenance and manning by the state would be given seven months a year, during the fire season." (Times Herald)
September 12, 1923: "Forests in the hills south of Olean will be protected from fire by an observation tower that will be built at Flatiron Rock, the highest point in this part. It will be the only tower in the state outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills." (Cattaraugus Republican)
March 26, 1924: "Protection from fire of timber and oil properties in the hills south of Olean came yesterday with the arrival of a steel tower, 70-feet high, with a cabin on top. The tower will be placed on the Forrest Curtis lease, near the Rocky Crest sanitarium, half way between Olean and Flat Iron Rock. The tower was bought on popular subscription by residents of Olean and its vicinity. It will be in operation April 1st." (Salamanca Republican-Press)
1924: "A new station was established on Hartzfelt Hill on the high land south of Olean, Cattaraugus county. The funds for the establishment of this station, which includes a sixty-foot steel tower and also a cabin for the observer, were provided by subscriptions from local landowners and others interested in forest fire control in that section, also by some funds subscribed by towns in the vicinity of the station." (Conservation Commission Fourteenth Annual Report)
May 20, 1926: "The district has had thirty small fires this spring. There were three between Olean and Rocky City, in the hills south of here this week. The fire lookout tower at Flatiron Rock has been responsible for the spotting of small fires which were speedily extinguished." (Democrat and Chronicle)