SOUTH CAROLINA LOOKOUTS
MONT CLARE
Darlington County
South Carolina Forestry Commission
South Carolina Forestry Commission
1940-41: "During the year a side camp was operated out of P-88 near Dovesville in Darlington County. This side camp constructed a complete forest fire tower unit at Mont Clare in Darlington County." + "A total of three towers were constructed during the year. One of which the Mont Clare Tower near Mont Clare in Darlington County." (Report of the State Commission of Forestry, 7/1/40 to 6/30/1941)
1957-58: The old wooden tower located at Mont Clare was replaced by a new steel structure. (Report of the State Commission of Forestry, 7/1/57 to 6/30/58)
May 1, 1958: "The last of the old wooden lookout towers in Forestry District Two toppled to the ground near Darlington County Community this Tuesday. The 80=foot wooden tower was erected by the now defunct Civilian Conservation Corps, better known as the CCC, nearly twenty years ago.
The wooden structure was replaced by a new steel 100-foot this month. When Tractor Operator Bob Hughes pulled the old tower down with a heavy steel cable attached to a diesel-engined unit, it marked the end of the last of the old wooden towers which once dolled the state.
Ted Bailey, towerman at Mont Clare Tower for the past four years, while enthusiastic in his praise for the new steel tower, nevertheless spoke nostalgically of the old wooden tower." (Florence Morning News)