PENNSYLVANIA
G - P
GLEASON HILL
Tioga County
1914: A 50-foot steel tower was erected.
GLEN CAMPBELLIndiana County
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GLEN SUMMITLuzerne County
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GOODALL
Tioga County
1910-11: A tree observation post was established 50 feet above the ground.
September 24, 1919: "Arrangements are being made for erecting a sixty-foot steel tower, with stairs and an inclosed top, at the head of Goodall hollow above Asaph run, with directly connecting road from the township road on Asaph run and a road that will end on private land near the old Harrington Hotel, on Pine creek above Ansonia. This will have direct telephone connection with the Asaph office of the Forestry department and the nearby homes of the fire wardens. It is estimated that something more than 100,000 acres can be seen from this tower, about 43 per cent of which is woodlands. Stairs are used instead of the old-style ladder so that visitors can easily get to the top without fear of accident for while these towers have a primary object of reducing the forest fire damage, they also furnish a period of pleasure to visitors, who are well repaid for the climb in the wonderful view obtained." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
May 27, 1934: "Believing that white foxes bring bad luck, many woodsmen in this district today were waiting for something unfortunate to happen following the report that an albino fox had been sighted in the Tioga state forest.
Albinism is very unusual among foxes, according to Forest Ranger E.N. Lenckes, of Ansonia. The albino fox was reported seen in the vicinity of the Goodall forest fire observation tower, but no woodsman seems to know the origin of the belief that such an animal brings bad luck.
Absolutely white foxes are not native to Pennsylvania." (The Salt Lake Tribune - Utah)
October 8, 1936; "Construction of a 10,200-foot road to Goodall fire tower eliminating a 25 per cent grade and dividing more evenly the territory between Goodall and Left Asaph, is in charge of enrollees of Darling Run Camp.
Surveyed some months ago, the right-of-way has been cut and the 'bull-dozer' is now engaged in grading the route. Tourists and others who enjoyed viewing Pennsylvania woodlands from a fire tower will find the completed road an easy way of access and its advantages in fire protection are numerous." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
October 13, 1937: "Hathen Productions this weekend returned to Wellsboro to resume photographing the Canyon country for the State Movie Program. Shots were taken at Goodall Tower, the Colton Park Lookouts and along U.S. Route 6. Appearing in the picture is a new Buick purchased from the Evans Auto Company, of Wellsboro. The reel will show two young ladies starting on a motor trip from Harrisburg to all the outstanding scenic attractions of the state. The picture will be in natural colors with sound." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
August 21, 1940: "A new cabin is being constructed at the Goodall fire tower. The cabin is to be made of native stone." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
November 23, 1949: "The new portable generator just purchased by the Wellsboro Fire Department proved to be a life-saver for a lost hunter.
A bear hunter from Harrisburg, name not known, was missing, when the party he was with returned to their cars at the end of the day's hunting, Wednesday. A searching party failed to locate the missing man after several hours of firing rifle shots to attract his attention.
At 2 a.m. Thursday a call was put in to the Wellsboro Fire Dept. For the use of their new portable generator and searchlights. Firemen Tom Focht with several others responded with the light unit to the scene of the search. They set up a large 500-watt spotlight on top of the Goodall fire tower which is located in the center of the area where the hunter was last seen. They used this as a beacon in hope that the hunter would see it and come to the tower.
The hunter reported that he saw the light as soon as it was turned on and started toward it through the woods. At approximately 6:30 Thursday morning the hunter came out a short distance from the fire tower and found members of the searching party. He related that he had built a fire and had decided to wait until morning to find his way out when he saw the light." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
GOULD'SWayne County
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GRANDVIEWLuzerne County
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GRASS(Y) FLAT
Clearfield County
November 9, 1922: "Forester Dague of Clearfield announced that the big steel fire tower for the lookout near Grass Flat had been shipped there and would be erected at once. It is the fourth tower secured for the district. The Central Pennsylvania Forest Protective association, composed of owners of timbered lands, was organized about twelve years ago to safeguard their property from devastating conflagrations. That was before the activities of the forestry department, but the association has in recent years rendered valuable assistance to the department." (The Altoona Mirror)
GREENLEE MOUNTAIN
Huntingdon County
1913: An observatory is to be built on Greenlee mountain. (Report of the Department of Forestry, 1912-13)
GREENS KNOB
Huntingdon County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
GREENWOOD
Huntingdon County
July 26, 1922: "After breakfast the next morning we hiked to the top of Broad Top mountain and visited the Greenwood fire tower. This mountain top is 2,500 feet above sea level. The tower is eighty feet high, built of steel and has a watch box on top. We all climbed all the steps of the watch box. From this tower one can see in all directions for a distance of sixty miles." (Altoona Mirror)
GROVE MOUNTAIN
Cameron County
April 23, 1931: "Oscar Miller of Driftwood, towerman of the Grove Mountain Fire Tower, had a thrilling experience in the fire that raged in the forests near Driftwood.
Miller, who was in the tower, stuck to his post a little too long. The flames, racing at a fearful pace, had the tower surrounded before Miller was aware of the fact. He started down but was forced to climb back to his lofty perch. District Forester Baer was in telephone communication with Miller until the flames burned the insulators from the poles. Miller informed Baer that he was leaving and that was the last message Baer received. When Miller failed to put in his appearance, the foresters were fearful of his safety and as soon as possible started for the tower. They met Miller as they approached the tower and he was none the worse for his experience." (McKean County Democrat)
June 19, 1940: "Grove Mountain Run fire tower, part of the Cameron County forest fire protection plan, is to be moved this summer to a higher and more favorable location at the head of Brooks Run sector, L.G. Barnes, District Forester stated today.
The Brooks Run site is 280 feet higher and is probably the highest point in Cameron County. The new tower will be twenty feet taller than the Grove Mountain tower, which is sixty feet in height. The elevation of Brook Mountain is 2,380 feet.
The new tower may also be used as a flood control tower and may be manned the year around instead of during the fire season alone the District Forester said. If that is to be done, daily reports of stream conditions and atmospheric readings will be sent to government control stations at strategic points. That section is located at the head of important watersheds and could keep an eye on head waters of a dozen streams.
The local forestry office maintained a temporary wooden tower on Brook Mountain during the recent fire season with an observer on constant duty.
The work of moving the old tower will be started as soon as official permits are issued and the equipment can be purchased for the tower extension." (Olean Times-Herald - New York)
HALL'S ROCK
Clinton County
1913: A tree observation post was established 23 feet above the ground.
HANLEYElk County
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HARRISON
Tioga County
An unimproved bald top observation point establishewd prior to 1918.
HARTLEY
Union County - Bald Eagle State Forest
HARVEYSLuzerne County
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HAYS LOT
Jefferson County
April 5, 1922: "Sherman Seanor, of Sigel, has been employed as watchman on the Hays Lot fire tower." (New Castle News)
August 2, 1922: "More than 100 persons have visited the Department of Forestry's fire tower in northern Jefferson county every Sunday this summer, according to a report sent to the Harrisburg office by District Forester Zerby, of Clarion. To provide for the comfort and convenience of the public. Forester Zerby plans to place benches and tables beneath the trees at the foot of the tower. He also plans to wall-in a spring and build an open fireplace for persons who desire to cook a lunch when they visit the tower. Forester Zerby is opening a trail from the fire tower down North Fork, which will open the State Forest and the adjoining land to hikers and fishermen." (New Castle News)
December 10, 1923: "Hunters who have spent some of their time in the vicinity of Hayes fire tower, near here, have returned home with well filled game bags, Towerman Herman Seanor says that from his personal observation fully 1000 squirrels were killed this season near the tower, and that hundreds of pheasants and rabbits were bagged. The squirrels have been large ones.
Mrs. R.J. Melzer, of this place (Brookville), killed the largest squirrel reported thus far. It weighed two and half pounds and was a black fellow." (New Castle News)
HAYS MILLS
Somerset County
May 4, 1926: "Miss Gladys Custer and Otto J. Wilt of Shanksville were married last Saturday evening atop Hays Mills fire tower near Berlin.
The wedding took place at the top of the 60-foot steel tower, where Mr. Wilt has served as watchman for the last three years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilt will make their home in a cabin at the fire tower for the present and will later go to Shanksville to reside.
The Hays Mills tower was erected by the Pennsylvania forestry department and is at an elevation of 2,900 feet." (Indiana Evening Gazette)
HEAD OF BAILEY RUN
Cameron County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
HEGE RIDGE
Perry County
1915: A 56-foot steel tower was erected.
HEMINGWAY
Lycoming County
HIGH KNOBPike County
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HIGH ROCK
Adams County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
HIGH TOP
Snyder County
1910: A tree observation post established 40 feet above the ground.
HIGHLAND FLINGCambria County
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HOG BACK
Union County
An unimproved bald top observation poinr established prior to 1918.
HOLMES HURST
Lycoming County
August 4, 1921: "The fire tower which the department of forestry is going to erect on Holmes hill, between Leolyn and Shunk, was hauled by truck to its site on Monday." (Wellsboro Gazette)
April 20, 1922: "M.E. McNett, of Leolyn, is towerman in the fire tower on Holmes Hill, McNett township, Lycoming county." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
October 16, 1937: "The Holmes Hurst fire tower, near Masten, will be dismantled after the Fall season. A new tower is being erected on a higher mountain, Sprout Point, in the same locality." (Gazette And Bulletin)
HOPEWELLBerks County
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HOSTEIN
Cambria County
April 26, 1928: "The only tubular fire observation tower in the State eighty feet in height was erected near Dunlo in southern Cambria county, and is named the Hostein Tower in honor of one of the early settlers in that section.
The Windler Real Estate Company contributed more than 25 per cent of the cost of erecting the tower, as it overlooks several thousand acres of their forest land which has been planted with forest tree seedlings." (McKean County Democrat)
HOUGH MOUNTAIN
Centre County
1916: A tree observation post established 35 feet above the ground.
HUMBOLDTLuzerne County
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HUNTLY HILL
Lycoming County
1914: A 50-foot wood tower was constructed.
INDIAN SHANTY
Potter County
1913: A tree observation post was established.
JACKS MOUNTAIN (BUTLER KNOB)Huntingdon County - Rothrock State Forest
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JACOBY MOUNTAIN
Lycoming County
1913: A tree observation post was established 28 feet above the ground.
1917: A tree observation post was established 36 feet above ground.
JOHNSON
Mifflin County
1911: A tree observation post was established 40 feet above the ground.
JONES MOUNTAIN
Union County
An unimproved bald top observation post established prior to 1918.
KEATING
Clinton County
KECKSBURG
Westmoreland County
September 10, 1924: "The fire tower that is being built at Kecksburg will be completed within the week. A telephone line has been installed but it has not been connected yet. Within the next week some person will be chosen to have charge of the tower. With a man stationed at the tower a fire should be discovered within a few minutes after it starts and the manner in which the fire warden has the district organized, within 10 minutes a group of men should be at the scene of the fire. it was explained. A man will be stationed at the tower only during the fire season, which begins in October and closea December 1 and begins again in March. All persons who have subscribed to build the tower are invited to go to the tower and see what has been done with the money." (Connellsville Daily Courier)
March 13, 1936: "Work has been started on erection of a new fire tower at Ridge Chapel on top of Chestnut Ridge, one mile east of Kecksburg. Demolition of the Kecksburg tower will be started soon." (Connellsville Daily Courier)
KEEFER GAP
Franklin County
1915: A tree observation post established 42 feet above ground.
KEFFERSSchuylkill County - Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry
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KELLOGG MOUNTAINBradford County
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KINNEY
Tioga County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
KINTON KNOB
Bedford County
October 26, 1967: "Construction has been completed on a new, 80-foot fire tower atop Kinton's Knob dominating more than 400 square miles of Bedford County forest land. The Knob is a 2,700-foot promontory of Wills Mountain, about three miles west of Bedford.
District Forester George R. Winning of McConnellsburg said the tower will protect the northwestern and southwestern quadrants of the county. He said, 'We expect to be able to survey almost the entire western part of the county, and much of the eastern as well.' The eastern sectors are already protected by fire towers atop Martin Hill, south of Rainsburg, and Tussey Mountain, west of Everett. The elevation of Kinton's Knob is slightly higher than the other two, and watchers can see west to the Allegheny Mountain escarpment, whose top forms the Bedford-Somerset County line.
Mrs. George Armstrong of Schellsburg, has been named to staff the new tower, continuing until mid-December when seasonal snows lessen the danger of forest fire. She will have two-way radio contact with other fire towers and the district headquarters pending construction of telephone lines to the site. It is reached by a newly cleared dirt road from Route 30.
The new tower, costing about $26,000, is of all-steel construction designed to withstand extremes of wind and weather." (The Altoona Mirror)
June 19, 1982: "Another victim of Wednesday's storms has turned up, or down. It was discovered Thursday that the Kinton's Knob tower bearing antennas for County Control, local 'ham' operations and fire department frequencies was bent literally in half by the storms. Some of the antennas were pointing at the ground, a knob-climber reported, adding that Sound Electronics was at the site to re-align the antennas temporarily until a solution to the bent tower can be decided. The nearby Knob fire tower and AT&T tower, appear to have escaped damage." (Bedford Daily Gazette)
KINZUA (COAL HILL)
Warren County - Allegheny National Forest
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postcard, n/d - Ron Kemnow Collection
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November 26, 1924: "First lookout tower to be completed in Pennsylvania has radius of 50 miles.
A forester lookout began his duty today in the federal forestry lookout here (Kinzua), the first lookout tower of this kind to be completed in Pennsylvania. The tower which cost $10,000 is reached by a road cut out of the mountainside at a grade of 900 feet in a mile. The tower has a radius of 50 miles." (New Castle News)
KNEVIL HILL
Lackawanna County
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c.1918 - Chief Forest Fire Warden Report for 1918
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1890: A 15-foot tall solid rock tower was constructed.
c.1913: The tower was rebuilt.
KNOB
Bedford County
1912: A tree observation post established 40 feet above the ground.
KNOB MOUNTAIN
Columbia County
May 22, 1925: "An airplane is blamed by Fire Towerman Bruce Henrie for a blaze that swept over 700 acres of valuable timber land on Knob Mountain last night causing a loss of many thousands of dollars. He discovered the fire a few minutes after an airplane flying low, had passed over the wooded section. Henrie is confident something dropped from the plane to start the fire.
Several hundred men fought throughout the night to bring the fire under control and put it out this morning after several farm buildings had been threatened but saved." (Lebanon Daily News)
KOOSER MOUNTAINSomerset County - Laurel Hill State Park
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LAUREL MOUNTAIN
Westmoreland County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
LAUREL RUN
Centre County
1917: A tree observation post established 35 feet above the ground.
LAUREL RUN
Huntingdon County
A 50-foot wood tower was erected prior to 1918.
LEBO
Lycoming County
1912: A lookout post was established 35 feet above the ground,
LEE
Tioga County
October 26, 1939: "The other towers in District 16 are the 80-foot Lee Tower at Leetonia, the 60-foot Goodall Tower, Asaph Run; the 50-foot Baldwin Tower at Baldwin run; the 60-foot Rarick Tower on Rarick Mt. About 15 miles northwest of Mansfield; and the new Bloss Mt. Tower about a mile off Route 15 south of Blossburg." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
LIGHTENERHuntingdon County
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LINCOLN FARM
Elk County
1914: A tree observation post was established 40 feet above the ground.
LITTLE BAER
Clinton County
1914: A 32-foot wood tower was constructed.
LITTLE FLAT
Centre County - Logan State Forest
1916: A 36-foot wood tower was constructed.
1917: A tree observation post 25 feet above the ground was established.
LITTLE MOUNTAINFranklin County
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LITTLE SHINNEY
Luzerne County
LOLETA
Elk County
LONESOME PINE
Franklin County
1912: A tree observation post was established 40 feet above the ground.
LONG MOUNTAINCumberland County
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LONG RIDGE
Lycoming County - Tiadaghton State Forest
LOST MOUNTAIN
Cambria County
LOWER YODERCambria County
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LYTLES KNOB (LOOP)Huntingdon County
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MAPLE HILL
Tioga County
August 3, 1921: "State Forester Paul Mulford, of Wellsboro, is busy supervising the erection of a 60-foot steel tower on Maple Hill for the State Forestry Department. It is located near the point where the township lines of Duncan, Charleston and Bloss converge. Roads will be built to the tower. It will have telephone connection with the Farmer's Mutual lines, so that observers can quickly report any forest fires located. The country for many miles around can be seen from this 'lookout.' " (The Wellsboro Agitator)
September 7, 1921: "The new steel fire observation tower of the Pennsylvania Forestry Department on Maple Hill is about completed." (Wellsboro Agitator)
May 27, 1925: "Last Wednesday Towerman Wood, on the Maple Hill tower, sighted a fire which looked like a camp fire at the head of Long Run, Morris township. He reported to the district office and telephoned to farms which he thought would be able to see the fire, but no one could be found who could locate it. Later it increased in size and Warden Chas. F. Lamberson, of Arnot, went in with his men.
They found the fire, which was in the slashings of the C.C. Slaght Lumber Co., about 2 miles beyond their railroad, and no one living or working within three or four miles of the spot. After a hard fight, the fire was controlled and held to seven acres." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
April 14, 1926: "Saturday, April 10, occurred the first serious forest fire in Tioga District. The drying winds for two days past made danger spots on south exposures. A spark from an engine on a log train at Morris set a fire which was quickly seen by the towerman at Maple Hill fire tower, whose prompt action sent fire wardens and help at once. The mill of the C.C. Slaght Lumber Co. Was shut down so the men could assist. It was not until about forty acres of state forest land was burned over that it was stopped." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
June 1, 1939: "The Department of Forests and Waters announces that one of the state's 144 forest fire observation towers will be moved to a new location and that three towers have been increased in height from sixty to eighty-six feet.
The tower to be moved is now located on Maple Hill. It will be moved to a more advantageous location on Bloss Mountain." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
MARIENVILLEForest County
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MARSHBURGMcKean County
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MARTIN HILLBedford County - Buchanan State Forest
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MAUCH CHUNKCarbon County
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McDADEMcKean County
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MEHOOPANYWyoming County
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MIDDLESWORTH
Snyder County
MT BEACON (HEDGEHOG ROAD)
McKean County
April 16, 1931: "There are now only two fire towers in McKean County, one on Bush Hill, east of Smethport and one just north of Kane. The towers at Rock City, N.Y., Kinzua in Warren County and in the northeast corner of Elk County, southwest of Betula, also assist in furnishing protection to McKean County, not properly protected by a fire tower is the northwestern portion and it has just been arranged to erect an eighty foot fire tower on Mt. Beacon, the highest point in that section of the county, with an air-way beacon upon which it is the plan of the Harri Emery Airport Association to place a beacon at some future date. This tower is being erected and paid for entirely by the McKean County Protective Fire Association and will be known by a name to be selected by the school children of the city of Bradford, the townships of Croydon, Foster, Bradford, Otto, Keating, Lafayette and Hamilton on the plan hereinafter outlined.
These plans in the making for the construction of a new and better road from the Bennett Brook road to the site of this tower in order that they may get a view of McKean County from the top of the structure." (McKean County Miner)
April 23, 1931: "A third fire tower will be erected in McKean county according to reports, in the Northwestern portion of the county, the only section which is not properly protected from forest fires. It will be an eighty foot tower and will be erected on Mt. Beacon, the highest point in that section of the county, with an airway beacon top, on which it is planned by the Harri Emery Airport Association to place a beacon at some future date. This tower is being erected and paid for entirely by the McKean Protective Fire Association and will be known by a name to be selected by the school children of the city of Bradford, the townships of Croydon, Foster, Bradford, Otto, Keating, Lafayette and Hamilton on the plan as hereinafter outlined.
There are now only two fire towers in McKean county, one on Bush Hill, east of Smethport, and one just north of Kane.
A new and better road will be constructed to the site of the tower." (McKean County Democrat)
October 18, 1935: "Mt Beacon fire tower observation point for the northern fire district of McKean county, located less than two miles west of Bradford, opened for the fall season this morning.
Although the forest is pronounced unusually dry and opening of the tower is at least two weeks later than many in previous years, Mr. Coleman reported there have been no fires discovered in the woods yet.
Telephone service will be installed in the tower today under the sponsorship of the McKean County Protective Fire Association. Its number is Bradford 2-1238." (The Olean Times-Herald)
MOUNT DAVIS
Somerset County - Forbes State Forest
MOUNT DUNLAPFranklin County
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MOUNT PLEASANTSchuykill County - Weiser State Forest
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MUZETTE
Forest County
NEGRO MOUNTAINSomerset County - Forbes State Forest
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NORTH MOUNTAIN
Sullivan County - Wyoming State Forest
OAK KNOBFranklin County
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OLD TOWNClearfield County
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OWLS NEST
Elk County
PADDY MOUNTAINCentre County
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PENDLETON
Cambria County - Gallitzin State Forest
PENN VIEWIndiana County
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PENNSYLVANIA STATE CAPITOL BUILDING
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no date - Press photo, Ron Kemnow Collection
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April 13, 1921: "The state capital dome Tuesday was made a fire observation by the department of forestry and Thomas F. Burns was stationed there by Commissioner Pinchot to note appearance of forest fires in the mountains about Harrisburg. The dome rises more than 270 feet above the level of the Susquehanna and mountains in Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, York and Lebanon counties can be discerned with a strong glass. The department also has established on Peters mountains, Dauphin county, where several fire have occurred and this patrol will be able to see mountains in the Susquehanna and Juianta valleys." (Lock Haven Express)
February 16, 1922: "State capitol building may serve as a fire tower, it was stated this morning. Hope was held out that when the state forestry authorities post observers on the dome balcony the state police project for the installation of a telephone service from there may be realized." (The Morning Herald)
PENOBSCOT (MOUNTAIN TOP)Luzerne County
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PIMPLE HILL
Monroe County
PINE MOUNTAINFranklin County
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PITTSTON
Luzerne County
PLUMER
Venango County
May 14, 1949: "Seventy workmen of the Pennsylvania Railroad including crews from Tionesta, worked Thursday afternoon and night to extinguish a series of forest fires at Walnut Bend, Henry's Bend, President and the north side of Rockmere. A locomotive was blamed for starting the fires, which were observed by the State fire observer at the Plumer tower. The observer phoned the Oil City P.R.R. offices for help." (The Titusville Herald)
POCONO MOUNTAIN (KNOB) (LAKE)
Monroe County
1915: "During the month of May, patrolman Shaller, stationed at Mount Pocono, opened a subscription for the purpose of building a look-out to increase the range of vision over the outlying regions. The boarding house proprietors readily subscribed the amount necessary for its erection. While serving as a fire observation tower for the patrolman, at the same time guests at the various inns will see in it an added attraction in the way of affording a view of the surrounding country.
I made plans and specifications for its erection, and helped to erect it. At this time, I desire to commend the aggressiveness and industry of our patrolman at Mount Pocono, through whose activity the proposed look-out became an actuality. A small deficit was met by the Pocono Protective Fire Association, and the look-out became its property on completion." (Report of the Chief Forest Fire Warden for 1915)
1915: A 25-foot wood tower constructed.
March 12, 1950: "Work on the Pocono Mountain Auto Speedway will start early in April, as soon as the weather permits, George Perluke, speedway promoter, said last night.
The speedway will be constructed on Route 115 at the foot of the Pocono Mountain Fire Tower in the scrub oak section of Effort Mountain, which is about 28 miles from Wilkes-Barre and five miles south of Blakeslee Corners." (Wilkes Barre Sunday Independent)
POHOPOCO
Monroe County - Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry - Delaware State Forest
PONDFIELD
Fayette County
PONDFIELD 2
PORT CLINTON
Berks County
PROSPECT HILLMcKean County
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PUMPING STATIONLycoming County
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