JACKS MOUNTAIN (BUTLER KNOB)
Pennsylvania - Huntingdon County - Rothrock District
September 7, 1922: "'The 60' steel forest fire observation tower under construction on Jacks mountain, some six miles towards Three Springs, from Mount Union, will have a ground elevation of 2,360 feet above sea level or from the observer's platform of 2360 feet." (Huntingdon Daily News)
April 17, 1923: "The fire tower on Butlers Knob, we are informed is about completed, and can be seen from almost any place in the valley." (Huntingdon Daily News)
April 29, 1924: "On Saturday morning at eight o'clock, twelve of the scouts gathered at the clubhouse and prepared to make a hike to the Jack's Mountain fire tower. They crossed the river in a boat and then journeyed along the creek back of the general Refractories Brick Yard along Chestnut ridge, onto the Hill Valley road. The scoutmaster offered a prize to the boy who sighted the tower first. This honor goes to Steve Benezik, who saw the tower before they reached the road. When about half way, everyone ran at the scouts pace, which is fifty steps walking and fifty steps running until the mile is completed." (Daily News)
March 11, 1926: "This 60 foot steel tower was erected during 1922 by the Department of Forests and Waters. It is on the highest known point in Huntingdon county, at one of the knobs on Jacks mountain known as Butler's knob. The elevation above sea level is 2360 feet and above the valley below 1670 feet.
From this lookout a good view is had over most of Huntingdon county and a large part of Blair, Mifflin, perry, Juniata, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin and even Centre counties. Lewiston thirty miles to the northeast can be readily seen, the smokestack of the Viscose Plant plainly visible. The South mountains east of Chambersburg toward Gettysburg are distinctly visible on a clear day as is Blue Knob north of Bedford and the Alleghenies west of Altoona. The view from this station is truly magnificent.
Several hundred thousand acres of forest land valued at over a million dollars can be observed from the jacks Mountain Fire Tower. Near the tower and under close watch from it are the thousands of acres of forest lands in Singers Gap of which 1168.35 acres have been purchased by the Borough of Mount Union for a watershed.
By auto one can drive to Cora which is some three miles west of Shirleysburg and about six miles south of Mount Union. Following the telephone line from Cora to the tower is a two and one-half mile hake, but the path shows much evidence of many footsteps.-- Walter Leach, District Forester." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
December 2, 1950: "C.G. Weirich, the towerman at Jack's fire tower on Singers Gap Mountain, was in Mount Union a short time Wednesday, after walking to the General Refractories Quarry at 'Old Woman's Gap.' He was storm-stayed and this was the first time he was able to get down the mountain. He came to Mount Union with a driver on the stone truck and returned Thursday morning. All during the terrible weather of the week-end Mr. Weirich kept his family in Mount Union posted as to the weather changes. He told them he had plenty of food and if his bread didn't hold out he would make biscuits, which he did. Mr. Weirich said the wind never howled around the old tower like it did during this storm." (Huntingdon Daily News)
May 28, 1953: "Snake stories, always thrilling, are due to make their appearance in this area, and a couple of successive warm days should bring out plenty of reptiles and numerous yarns.
A group of state foresters and fire inspectors, working this week in Huntingdon county to open the telegraph lines on Jack's Mountain leading to the fire tower, reported killing six reptiles. Five copperheads, one 39 inches long, and one large rattler were found.
Judging from the early killing, snakes will be plentiful this season. That means plenty of stories, too." (The Altoona Mirror)
A group of state foresters and fire inspectors, working this week in Huntingdon county to open the telegraph lines on Jack's Mountain leading to the fire tower, reported killing six reptiles. Five copperheads, one 39 inches long, and one large rattler were found.
Judging from the early killing, snakes will be plentiful this season. That means plenty of stories, too." (The Altoona Mirror)
November 3, 1954: "Nine inches of snow covers the ground today at Jack's Mountain fire tower.
Charles G. Weirich of Mount Union, 80-year-old towerman, reported at 11:30 this morning that there was a nine-inch covering of white at the tower today as a result of snow during the past 24-hours.
The tower is located south of Mount Union, atop Jack's Mountain. It is one of the highest, if not the highest point, in the county, according to District Forester F.H. Dutlinger." (Huntingdon Daily News)
November 3, 1954: "Nine inches of snow covers the ground today at Jack's Mountain fire tower.
Charles G. Weirich of Mount Union, 80-year-old towerman, reported at 11:30 this morning that there was a nine-inch covering of white at the tower today as a result of snow during the past 24-hours.
The tower is located south of Mount Union, atop Jack's Mountain. It is one of the highest, if not the highest point, in the county, according to District Forester F.H. Dutlinger." (Huntingdon Daily News)
June 20, 1972: "Harry Greenland, of Three Springs Star Route, is the tower operator at Jack's Forest Fire Observation post, situated on Jack's Mountain in Cromwell Township. Greenland, who also operates a small farm in Clay Township.
Situated on historic Jacks Mountain in Cromwell Township stands the 60-foot Jack's Forest Fire Tower, one of five in the Rothrock Forest District. The steel, Blaw-Knox observation post is situated on state forest lands and was constructed in the spring of 1923." (The Daily News)