Mount Ochepetuck (UNION)
Connecticut - Tolland County
June 30, 1932: "The second fire observation established in the state was Mt. Ochepetuck in Union with Mrs. Dedie Lawson, the owner, as observer. Mrs. Lawson has perhaps been in continuous lookout service longer than any other observer in the country." (Report of State Park and Forest Commission, ending 6/30/1932)
October 26, 1957: "The forest fire observation center on Mt. Ochepetuck is again in operation. The state has erected a steel tower on the mountain, southeast of the telephone relay station. Mrs. Shirley N. Stachelsky of the Rockmeadow section is serving as fire observer during the fall season. The tower is located off the Buckley Highway, Route 20.
The Rev. Harvey M. Lawson and Mrs. Lawson built a summer home on the mountain in 1906 and as soon as a telephone was installed, began a voluntary service of fire spotting. It was not until about 1912 that the State established a fire station officially and installed Mrs. Lawson as the pioneer fire observer. She was one of the first women in New England to hold such a position.
In 1914 Mrs. Lawson had a fire tower built on her bungalow on top of Mt. Ochepetuck. It was a privately owned but publicly operated fire station. Shortly before the World War II the fire observatory on Mt. Ochepetuck was discontinued.
During the World War II Mrs. Lawson leased her property to the government for military operations. While soldiers of the Coast Artillery were using the tower for observation purposes in December, 1942, a fire destroyed the tower and bungalow." (Hartford Courant)