OSSIPEE HILL
York County
1917: "This Department has endeavored for the last four years to interest the towns and cities in building lookout stations, as they are proving to be the most efficient was to protect our forests from fires. In 1916 the towns of Alfred, Limerick, Shapleigh and Waterboro appropriated $50 each for the purpose of erecting a station on Ossipee Mt. With a like amount appropriated by the Federal Government this movement seemed to be assured. But the party who owned the top of the mountain wanted such an exorbitant price for the privilege of erecting such a station that the plan fell through. In the spring this department will again make a strong effort to establish a station on that particular mountain." (1917 Annual Report of the Forest Commissioner)
1918: "It is a pleasure to report that after much difficulty in making arrangements, the Department has been able to erect on Agamenticus Mt. and Ossipee Hill steel towers twenty-four feet in height each. These were erected in co-operation with the U.S. Forest Service. The material was paid for entirely by this Department with money received from the Contingent Fund of the Governor and Council. The material cost $391.49 and the erection of same cost $1,006.51. Telephone connection of these towers with the New England Telephone Co. will be completed early next spring. The maps for these stations have been sketched and will be ready for the fire season of 1919." (1918 Annual Report of the Forest Commission)
1918: "It is a pleasure to report that after much difficulty in making arrangements, the Department has been able to erect on Agamenticus Mt. and Ossipee Hill steel towers twenty-four feet in height each. These were erected in co-operation with the U.S. Forest Service. The material was paid for entirely by this Department with money received from the Contingent Fund of the Governor and Council. The material cost $391.49 and the erection of same cost $1,006.51. Telephone connection of these towers with the New England Telephone Co. will be completed early next spring. The maps for these stations have been sketched and will be ready for the fire season of 1919." (1918 Annual Report of the Forest Commission)
1920: "The lookout station on Ossipee Mountain opened during the last week of April, and the watchman kept on duty until the last day of September. Twenty-six fires were reported. The salary of the watchman was paid by the United States Forest Service under the Weeks Law agreement." (1920 Annual Report of the Forest Commissioner)
1920: "The lookout station on Ossipee Mountain opened during the last week of April, and the watchman kept on duty until the last day of September. Twenty-six fires were reported. The salary of the watchman was paid by the United States Forest Service under the Weeks Law agreement." (1920 Annual Report of the Forest Commissioner)
May 25, 1935: "24 foot tower" (The Lewiston Daily Sun
May 25, 1935: "24 foot tower" (The Lewiston Daily Sun
March 7, 1941: "To what extent York County has benefitted from the program of the Alfred CCC camp since it inception on June 26, 1933, is indicated in a summary of work accomplished to date.
Construction of foot trail on Ossippee Mountain: A foot trail .4 miles long was constructed from the parking area at the end of road to lookout tower. A 25 foot strip was cleared of brush and debris on each side of trail. Twenty-five stone steps were built in a steep part of the trail near the parking area.
Telephone Line, Ossipee Mt.: Work consisted of sawing off and roofing poles, moving them to location, setting poles, and stringing wire along line for approximately one-half mile section of the telephone line to Ossipee Mt. Lookout Tower." (Biddeford Daily Journal)
June 1, 1943: "The passing of Joseph Wolfer takes away from our ranks one of our oldest, seasoned men in the Organized Towns. He was born on June 20, 1876 and died October 12, 1941. In his span of sixty-five years he served from 1918 to 1941, a period of twenty-three consecutive years, as watchman on the Ossipee Hill lookout tower in the Town of Waterboro, York County. This tower was one of the first to be erected in an Organized Town, and the distinction of being its first watchman belonged to 'Joe' Wolfer. He was uncanny in his accuracy in reporting forest fires. It became legend among selectmen, fire chiefs, and county wardens never to doubt or question his direction to 'smokes'. This man's performance of duty will be greatly missed. " (Twenty-Fourth Biennial Report of the Forest Commissioner - 1941-42)
1943-44: "Lookout tower cabin rebuilt on Ossipee tower." (Twenty-Fifth Biennial Report of the Forest Commissioner - 1943-44)
October 22, 1947: "As the Shapeleigh-Waterboro fire closed in on the Forestry Department's 24-foot steel watch tower on Ossipee hill in Waterboro, Donald Ferguson, fire spotter, had to evacuate his post." (The Lewiston Daily Sun)
October 22, 1947: "As the Shapeleigh-Waterboro fire closed in on the Forestry Department's 24-foot steel watch tower on Ossipee hill in Waterboro, Donald Ferguson, fire spotter, had to evacuate his post." (The Lewiston Daily Sun)
November 22, 1977: "The Hollis Planning Board met recently with chiefs of three area fire departments to evaluate fire equipment in relation to future needs.
It was determined that manning of Ossipee Mountain fire tower is essential for the protection of the area." (Biddeford-Sanford Journal Tribune)
May 11, 1989: "Mike Carter, the fire warden atop the Ossipee Mountain fire tower for the past 11 years, retired with honors receiving several mementos for his service." (Biddeford Journal Tribune)