NEW YORK LOOKOUTS
INGRAHAM HILL
Broome County
November 26, 1948: "District Forester Charles E. Baker of Norwich is looking for a suitable site for the location of a new fire tower in Broome County.
The Department of Conservation has authorized the construction of a tower in Broome. However, to date, no suitable location has been found.
Easement must be obtained for erection of the tower on private land, because the department cannot purchase land for this purpose." (Press and Sun-Bulletin)
The Department of Conservation has authorized the construction of a tower in Broome. However, to date, no suitable location has been found.
Easement must be obtained for erection of the tower on private land, because the department cannot purchase land for this purpose." (Press and Sun-Bulletin)
June 11, 1950: "Plans for a fire watch tower on Ingraham Hill, town of Binghamton, have been temporarily halted.
State Conservation agents are conferring with engineers and directors of Radio Station WNBF in Binghamton to determine whether the firetower operation would interfere with the operation of WNBF's radio and television transmission. The radio and TV towers of the station are located on Ingraham Hill.
In the event that it is deemed possible that trouble would result, conservation officials will build the fire tower in the area but on a different site.
District Forest Ranger Charles Baker of Norwich, who is in charge of operations in Broome, Chenango and Madison Counties, has indicated that the tower will be erected in the Town of Binghamton. He added that 50 per cent of brush fire in the three-county area are within a 10 mile radius of Binghamton.
The fire tower was scheduled to open this month." (Syracuse Herald-American)
November 11, 1950: "The state has approved a lease agreement under which a 90-foot fire tower would be installed by the state on Ingraham Hill south of Binghamton.
County Attorney Charles P. O'Brien said today that he would discuss terms of the arrangement with George C. Coughlin, attorney for WNBF-TV, owner of the tower site.
Fenton Supervisor Robert M. Ford, chairman of the Forest Practice Committee of the Board of Supervisors, said the tower and other materials needed for the installations, are in Norwich.
The installation has been sought for months by the state in a move to tighten its firefighting program over the woods and fields of their tier.
In addition to the 90-foot tower, the installation would include a cabin for a firewatcher and picnic facilities.
The county has endeavored to speed the project as an important adjunct to the area's civil defense program.
Details of the installation already have been completed by county and state officials.
Mr. O'Brien said he would discuss with Mr. Coughlin details of the agreement under which the tower would be taken down if this became necessary.
Mr. O'Brien cited the importance of the tower to civil defense because of the commanding view it would have of the Triple Cities area.
He said the tower could be placed on 'either of two high spots' in the WNBF-TV transmitter area.
Cost of the installation has been estimated at $7,500 to $8,000.
The state would man the tower seven days a week from April 1 to Nov. 30." (Press and Sun-Bulletin)
November 25, 1950: "Work will start Monday on a State Conservation Department fire tower to be constructed on Ingraham Hill near the WNBF radio transmitter in Broome County.
District Forester Charles E. Baker, of the Broome, Chenango and Madison District, said in Norwich that contract papers for the site which is owned by the Clark Associates, Inc., were signed in Albany yesterday.
The tower will be used as a spotter post in the Broome County and Binghamton City civil defense program, as well as a fire lookout station for the State Conservation Department, Mr. Baker reported.
I.F. McCowan of Norwich, and a crew of men will go to Ingraham Hill Monday to make the survey for the tower. After the survey a crew of 10 men now working in the Town of Kirkwood under the postwar program will be transferred up to construct the foundations.
The tower will be 91 feet high overall, and 80 feet up to the platform. It will glass enclosed, and at the foot there will be constructed a three-room cabin, living quarters for the department observer.
The tower will be connected in with the Binghamton telephone system, and the Broome County fire control center at Port Crane.
Materials for the tower have been on hand all summer at Norwich, while the proper location was being obtained.
The papers giving the state an easement for use of the property were prepared by George Coughlin, attorney for the Clark Associates. They were take to Albany yesterday by Broome County Attorney Charles O'Brien for final approval and signing, Mr. Baker said.
After completion, the department will have an observer stationed there during eight months of the year." (Press and Sun-Bulletin)
July 5, 1951: "Work is progressing rapidly on the state's new steel fire-observation tower on Ingraham Hill. The installation has been scheduled for completion by July 15.
The 90-foot structure is being installed in connection with a plan to tighten fire controls over a wide area in Southern New York. The tower will be manned during danger monthe of the year when woods and fields constitute fire hazards due to weather conditions.
The Forest Practice Committee of the Board of Supervisors has reported 'satisfactory progress' on the state project. The tower also will have a cabin for fire watchers." (Press and Sun-Bulletin)