HERMITAGE
Georgia - Floyd County - Georgia Forestry Commission
June 21, 1957: "The passing of a familiar landmark recently in Floyd county served notice to the public that the Georgia Forestry Commission will be around for a pretty long while.
After almost two decades of dependable service, the temporary wooden lookout tower that overlooked the once thriving Hermitage community has been replaced by a permanent steel structure.
Since 1938, the 100-foot wooden sentinel stood guard over Floyd county's 200,500 acres of forestland. During its 19-year existence, it was manned by Joseph C. Lowery, who started his lonely vigil at the age of 64.
During his tenure as towerman, climbed the 120 spiraling steps to the top of the tower three times a day. His daily climbs totaled an estimated 19,710 when he was retired last year at the age of 82.
According to commission officials, the Hermitage tower wasn't replaced because it was unstable. For more than a year it had the distinction of being the only remaining wooden lookout tower in the state, and it was replaced for that reason alone. The commission realized it would be only a matter of time before age would claim the sturdy beams that supported the tower, and the officials felt its role in the state's forest fire protection program was too vital to let it succumb to decay or be toppled by a sudden windstorm.
Proof of its stability came when workmen tried to raze the tower to make way for the new steel one. Floyd County Ranger Kelly Nelson declares the supporting beams seemed "to have sprouted roots that ran deep into the ground." He said the old tower clung to the earth stubbornly and seemed reluctant to be moved. It took two bulldozers almost half a day to tear the tower away from its foundation and pull it to the ground.
Final chapter in the life of the old Hermitage tower came in the form of a prologue. Towerman Lowery at a retirement dinner given in his honor by commission employes of the District requested that he be allowed to remain on active duty long enough to serve in the new tower.
His wish was granted.
Today, Floyd county's woodlands are guarded by a permanent steel tower. It is manned by Towerman Charles L. Evans who is only 21 years old." (Rome News-Tribune)
After almost two decades of dependable service, the temporary wooden lookout tower that overlooked the once thriving Hermitage community has been replaced by a permanent steel structure.
Since 1938, the 100-foot wooden sentinel stood guard over Floyd county's 200,500 acres of forestland. During its 19-year existence, it was manned by Joseph C. Lowery, who started his lonely vigil at the age of 64.
During his tenure as towerman, climbed the 120 spiraling steps to the top of the tower three times a day. His daily climbs totaled an estimated 19,710 when he was retired last year at the age of 82.
According to commission officials, the Hermitage tower wasn't replaced because it was unstable. For more than a year it had the distinction of being the only remaining wooden lookout tower in the state, and it was replaced for that reason alone. The commission realized it would be only a matter of time before age would claim the sturdy beams that supported the tower, and the officials felt its role in the state's forest fire protection program was too vital to let it succumb to decay or be toppled by a sudden windstorm.
Proof of its stability came when workmen tried to raze the tower to make way for the new steel one. Floyd County Ranger Kelly Nelson declares the supporting beams seemed "to have sprouted roots that ran deep into the ground." He said the old tower clung to the earth stubbornly and seemed reluctant to be moved. It took two bulldozers almost half a day to tear the tower away from its foundation and pull it to the ground.
Final chapter in the life of the old Hermitage tower came in the form of a prologue. Towerman Lowery at a retirement dinner given in his honor by commission employes of the District requested that he be allowed to remain on active duty long enough to serve in the new tower.
His wish was granted.
Today, Floyd county's woodlands are guarded by a permanent steel tower. It is manned by Towerman Charles L. Evans who is only 21 years old." (Rome News-Tribune)
Removed