PENNSYLVANIA LOOKOUTS S
HOPEWELL WILLIAMS HILL
Berks County
November 30, 1933: "An interesting example of how timber land-owners of Pennsylvania cooperate with the department of forests and waters in protection of woodlands from fire was cited today by George H. Wirt, director of the bureau of forest protection.
The department desiring to erect a forest fire observation tower near the Berks-Chester county line, selected a site with a 960-foot elevation in Union township, Berks county.
The owner of the property, Mrs. Louise Brooks of Birdsboro, deeded the tower site of some ten acres in extent and a right of way for a telephone line to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a consideration of $1. When the site is no longer used for fire observation purposes the land is to revert to the former owner or her heirs.
It is expected that the new tower, which will probably be an 80-foot structure of steel with stairs and an enclosed cabin on the top, will be erected early next spring. The tower will afford protection to at least 100,000 acres in the valley which E. Fred Brouse, of Norristown, is the district forester." (Gettysburg Times)
The department desiring to erect a forest fire observation tower near the Berks-Chester county line, selected a site with a 960-foot elevation in Union township, Berks county.
The owner of the property, Mrs. Louise Brooks of Birdsboro, deeded the tower site of some ten acres in extent and a right of way for a telephone line to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a consideration of $1. When the site is no longer used for fire observation purposes the land is to revert to the former owner or her heirs.
It is expected that the new tower, which will probably be an 80-foot structure of steel with stairs and an enclosed cabin on the top, will be erected early next spring. The tower will afford protection to at least 100,000 acres in the valley which E. Fred Brouse, of Norristown, is the district forester." (Gettysburg Times)
February 2, 1934: "Through the donation of a plot of ground by Mrs. Edward Brooke, Birdsboro, Berks county will have another fire tower, the erection of which was approved yesterday by George H. Wirt, Harrisburg, director of the state bureau of forest protection." (Reading Times)
September 6, 1934: "Deputy fire wardens have surveyed a site for a new observation tower, a permanent structure of steel on a stone and concrete base, near Geigertown.
It will be erected this fall, on a 10-acre tract given to the state by a member of the Brooke family, Birdsboro. It will greatly facilitate detection and fighting of forest fires in that region, part of which is heavily wooded." (Reading Times)
December 15, 1934: "Twenty-five men have been added to the Union township project which will eventually become a park and fire tower on Williams Hill, near Hopewell. At present the men are engaged in constructing a road to the top of the hill from the Hopewell-Geigertown road." (Reading Times)
May 31, 1935: "George H. Wirt, chief of the division of forest protection, Department of Forests and Waters, today announced the completion and occupancy of a new fire tower near Hopewell Furnace in southern Berks county.
The tower is seven miles southwest of Birdsboro, and about twenty-five miles from Reading in the French Creek area.
The tower was erected with Federal LWD funds on ground given to the State. It is eighty feet high and is constructed of steel.
A park area will be developed on the ground surrounding the tower and upon its completion will include picnic tables, pavilions, and drinking facilities.
The fire tower and park area will consist of approximately ten acres according to present plans.
A surfaced road has been constructed from Hopewell Furnace, and the park will be easily accessible.
The tower, although just completed, has been in service since May 1. It is located on the highest elevated spot in lower Berks county. Communications with forest rangers and the district forester have been made available by the installation of a telephone." (New Holland Clarion)
August 5, 1936: "Work on the completion of the road to the Williams Hill fire tower in Union township will be started today by the Works Progress Administration. The project is sponsored by the Pennsylvania department of forests and waters which will pay $1,503.85 for materials and equipment, and the federal government will contribute $7,017.50 for the labor. Employment will be given to 59 men for two months." (Reading Times)
June 19, 1939: "Another feature of the Geigertown landscape is the government's 90-foot steel fire tower. George H. Wolf is the lookout, and with a telescope watches a great reach of woodland for smoke." (Reading Times)
September 15, 1939: "Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, sponsor; 50 men until December 1 clearing brush, felling trees, building a 1 1/2 mile road, cutting a lane beneath electric and telephone wires, at the Hopewell fire tower near Birdsboro." (Reading Times)