PENNSYLVANIA
R - Z
RARICK HILLTioga County
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RATTLESNAKE PIKECentre County - Moshannon State Forest
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RAUCHTOWNClinton County - Tiadaghton State Forest
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RESICA PINE MOUNTAINMonroe County
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RIANSARES (Penny Hill)Clinton County - Bald Eagle State Park
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RICKETTSLuzerne County
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RISING MOUNTAINFranklin County
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ROBERTSVILLEHuntingdon County
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ROCKHILLFulton County - Rothrock State Forest
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ROCKTONClearfield County - Moshannon State Forest
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ROLLING ROCK
Westmoreland County
ROUND MOUNTAIN (KNOB)Huntingdon County
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ROUND TOP
Centre County
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1918 - Chief Forest Fire Warden Report for 1918
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1918: "In September, Forester Silvius completed the erection of a forty-five-foot wooden tower on Round Top within the Buffalo Forest near Woodward, Centre county. This is a secondary tower. Plans and specifications for this tower were devised for use on the National Forests of the West. Specifications were followed closely and it was discovered that for our purposes quite a few changes could be made which would result in a considerable saving of expense. On account of the high price of steel during the war period, it was thought it would not be so expensive as a steel tower. However, the statement of expenses which follows shows that it cost almost $200,00 more than a sixty-foot steel tower did in 1917. The bureau of forest protection paid $186.61 toward the erection of this tower. The balance of the expense was paid from the general Department funds.
Cost of Tower
Clearing and laying off site 66.70
Foundation 107.48
Cost of Material 252.75
Planing tower timbers 20.50
Framing tower 41.00
Erecting tower 140.50
Painting tower 44.32
Hauling heavy timbers and lumber 33.68
TOTAL 810.90
Cost of telephone line, 107.93" (Chief Forest Fire Warden Report of 1918)
ROUND TOP
Elk County
ROYAL RIDGE
Kishacoquillas State Forest
A tree observation post 35 feet above the ground established prior to 1918.
SAINT BONIFACE
Westmoreland County
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. The new tower will be 80 feet in height. Richard Johnson of Kingston is the towerman." (Connellsville Daily Courier)
SAINT LAWRENCE
Cambria County
July 18, 1921: "Tower No. 3 will be erected on a high point of land near St. Lawrence owned by Henry Loidon and will cover sections of Cambria and Clearfield Counties." (Indiana Evening Gazette)
SALEM MOUNTAINLackawanna County
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SAND MOUNTAINCentre County
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SAND MOUNTAIN (UNION)Union County - Bald Eagle State Forest
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SANDY RIDGE (SUMMIT)Centre County
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SCOTCH MOUNTAIN
Blair County
June 9, 1924: "A group of nine young ladies and their chaperone started on a hike to the fire tower on Scotch mountain Sunday morning and taking the road marked as leading to the tower from near the watering trough, were led into a blind pocket, which caused them to become lost for about two hours, finally reaching the tower just as it began to rain. One member of the party shinnied up a number of trees in an effort to get the bearings, and finally located the tower and after climbing over rocks, tree stumps and jumping over rifts in the rocks, the hikers reached their destination. On the return the party followed an easy foot path and had no trouble reaching home in safety." (The Altoona Mirror)
SCRUB OAKLackawanna County - Lackawanna State Forest
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SHADE MOUNTAINJuaniata County - Tuscarora State Forest
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SHAFFER'S PATHLycoming County - Tiadaghton State Forest
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SHARP MOUNTAIN
Schuykill County
May 1918: "In May 1918 a tower was erected on Sharp Mountain, south of Brockton, Blyth township, Schuykill county. The tower and its erection cost $462.00 which amount was equally shared by the association and this bureau. No telephone connection has been made at this tower." (Chief Forest Fire Warden Report of 1918)
SHEFFIELD
Warren County
August 21, 1925: "The work of erecting the two steel fire towers. located at Torpedo and Sheffield, in Warren county, is progressing satisfactorily. Last week the work of laying the cement foundations took the greater part of the time of the workmen and it is expected that the steel girders will be placed in position as soon as the cement has set. Through the co-operation of the district forestry office and the state Warren county was allotted two new towers this year. With her many acres of valuable timber, every precaution against the dreaded monster is being taken by local and state officials." (Titusville Herald)
SHERMANS MOUNTAINPerry County - Tuscarora State Forest
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SHICKSHINNYLuzerne County - Wyoming State Forest
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SIDELING HILLFulton County - Buchanan State Forest
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SILVER CREEK
Schuylkill County - Weiser State Forest
c.1926: A 60-foot steel Aermotor tower with 7x7 observation cab was erected by the state forestry department.
August 25, 2013: A news report indicates that the tower is closed due to aging and vandalism. A lack of budgeting and maintenance staff have made it impossible to keep up with needed repairs. The tower, however, is a popular destination for hikers and once a month from spring to fall an organized group hike is lead by the Locust Lake State Park naturalist.
SLATE MOUNTAIN (RIDGE)
Kisgacoquillas State Forest
A tree with observation platform at 40 feet above the ground established prior to 1918.
SMITH
Clearfield County - Moshannon State Forest
SMITHFIELD
Fayette County
April 16, 1931: "Miss Rebecca Goodwin of Smithfield has one of the most unusual jobs of any woman in the county. She is the official forest fire observer for the Smithfield area and is one of the few women in the state employed in that capacity by the State Department of Forestry. The fire tower, over which Mrs. Goodwin presides, is near her home in the suburbs of the borough, and during the fire seasons, spring and fall, she is on the job. Her duties keep her busy practically every day of the fire season and many nights." (The Daily News Standard)
SNOW HILL
Monroe County
SNOWSHOE
Centre County
SNOWY MOUNTAIN
Franklin County - Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry - Michaux State Forest
November 3, 1973: "Two adults and a juvenile have been arrested on criminal mischief charges in connection with Sunday night's destruction of the Snowy Mountain fire tower in Franklin County.
In Franklin County prison today, in lieu of $15,000 bail each, were Darrell Kauffman, 25, his cousin Rickey Kauffman, 20 and a 17-year-old boy. They are from South Mountain and were arrested Friday.
Police recovered hack saw blades in the area ..... and said additional arrests were expected.
The tower, a $35,000 90-foot steel structure, was toppled by vandals cutting its supporting legs. Officials said it will take six months to build a replacement." (The Progress)
SNYDER-MIDDLESWARTH
Snyder County - Bald Eagle State Forest
SOUTH SIDE
Clinton County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
SPRINGFIELD
Fayette County
SPROUT POINT
Lycoming County - Tiadachton State Forest
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)
SPRUCE MOUNTAIN
Kishacoquillas State Forest
A tree with observation post 30 feet above the ground established prior to 1918
ST. PETERSBURG
Clarion County
1982: The lookout structure was removed.
STALEY'S KNOB (THE KNOB)Adams County
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STATLER HILLSomerset County
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STONE MOUNTAIN
Huntingdon County
1907: A tree observation post 40 feet above the ground was established.
STONY MOUNTAIN
Dauphin County
August 16, 1922: "The first fire tower to be erected in Dauphin county will go up in Middle Paxton township, near Rattling Run. This is in the centre of a large wooded district and along the line of the Reading Railway's Schuylkill and Susquehanna branch. The tower will be so located that it will sweep many of the valleys and the control of large areas will be easy." (Reading Eagle)
STONY POINTCarbon County - Hickory Run State Park
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STONY POINT
Union County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
STRATTENVILLEClarion County
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SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAINFayette County
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TAMARACK
Clinton County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
TANNERY HILL
Tioga County
1914: A tree observation post 50 feet above the ground was established.
TARK HILLLuzerne County
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THE KNOB
Clinton County
1910: A 30-foot wood tower was constructed.
THE KNOB
Union County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
THE KNOBS
Clearfield County - Moshannon State Forest
1921: A 60-foot steel tower was erected.
October 12, 1932: "Almost 400 men, directed by Sheriff Ira McClosky, started searching the mountains in Girard township today for Byron Liegey, aged, 60, watchman at the Knobs fire tower, who has been missing from his home since Sunday.
Notes left by the man, who took a rifle, when he left his home, indicated he contemplated suicide, police said. Before leaving he telephoned Forester William Buck, saying he was resigning his position and was going away." (Altoona Mirror)
December 2, 1932: "Disappearance of Byron Liegey, formerly stationed at a fire tower, near here, was solved today after discovery of his body in the mountains late Thursday.
Liegey apparently had killed himself with a rifle, according to authorities who carried the body for two miles over steep hills last night. Lloyd Lansberry, Woodland, Pa., deer hunter, found the body wedged between two rocks.
Liegey had been missing since last October 9. He left a note in the tower, saying he was 'going away.' Two hundred men searched the woods for several days in a futile attempt to find him." (Huntingdon Daily News)
THE LOOPBlair County
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THICK MOUNTAIN
Kishacoquillas State Forest
A tree observation post 40 feet above the ground established prior to 1918.
THICKHEAD
Centre County
1913: A tree observation post 30 feet above the ground.
THREE RUNS
Cameron County
1979: The lookout structure was removed.
TIONESTAForest County - Rothrock State Forest
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TREASTER
Centre County
1913: A tree observation post 30 feet above the ground.
TREASTER HIGH TOP
Mifflin County - Kishacoquillas State Forest
A tree observation post 30 feet above ground established prior to 1918.
TREVORTONNorthumberland County
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TRI COUNTYBlair County
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TRIANGLE
 1914 - Chief Forest Fire Warden Report, 1918
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1914: A three legged tower constructed using three trees that were limbed and a platform connecting the tops. Possibly one of six lookout sites located on the Kishacoquillas State Forest.
TROUT RUN
Clinton County
1917: A 50-foot wood tower was constructed.
TUNNEL HILL
1915: A 25-foot tower was built.
TUSCARORAFulton County
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TUSSEY MOUNTAINHuntingdon County - Logan State Forest
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TYRONE
Huntingdon County
July 1933: "A 60-foot tower now standing on Bald Knob, Huntingdon County, is to be moved to a site near Tyrone and increased to 80 feet in height." (The Forest Worker)
1972: The lookout structure was removed.
UPPER BEAM FIELD
Westmoreland County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
U.S.G.S.
Tioga County
1899: A 30-foot wood tower built for the surveying of the surrounding country, was also found useful for the detection of fires.
VICTORY
Venango County
September 7, 1925: "Erection of the new forest fire observation tower located on the farm of Mrs. Laura Taylor in Victory township, one-half mile from Springville and eight miles from Franklin, has practically been completed.
The tower, made of galvanized steel is 65 feet high and stands in the center of the woods on the Taylor farm and can be seen from the top of the Victory hill or from points along the Pittsburg road for many miles in both directions. The tower can be reached by a dirt road which leads to the west from the Pittsburg highway at Springville." (Derrick)
April 12, 1926: "Byron Blair, manning the new Victory fire tower, 10 miles south, discovered the first forest fire Venango county has had this season, and a group of Pennsylvania Railroad men today had the blaze under control. Woods near Dotter, north of Emienton, caught fire and a score of acres were burned before the flames were checked." (New Castle News)
VIRGINIA ROCKS
Franklin County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
WAGNER
Juaniata County
WALTERS RUN
Clinton County
1913-14: A tree observation post 100 feet above the ground was established.
WASHINGTON SPRINGS
Fayette County
1966: Removed
WATERVILLE
Lycoming County
1912: "An observatory has been erected on private land 2 miles from Waterville from which the whole of the Waterville and Little Pine Creek divisions may be seen, and considerable private lands besides. The town of Cammal, 10 miles away, is within view, and the Nippenose mountains at Jersey Shore. This observatory commands a radius of about 10 miles." (Report of the Department of Forestry, 1912-13)
December 13, 1916: "A watcher was stationed on the high lookout tower on the mountainside at Waterville during the day and night. He gave valuable aid in locating the fires as the telltale film of smoke arose at different points. The telephone connecting the tower with rangers' homes on the reserve played an important part in the battle against the flames." (The Wellsboro Agitator)
WEST BRANCH
Centre County
1914: A 32-foot wood tower was constructed.
WEST HILL
Tioga County
1915: A 35-foot wood tower was erected.
WEST PIKE
Potter County
1985: The lookout structure was removed.
WEST PITTSTON
Luzerne County
August 30, 1948: "The district office attached to Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters also announced it will operate eight towers starting October 1.
A third station, West Pittston observatory, will be operated part time." (Times Leader, The Evening News)
A third station, West Pittston observatory, will be operated part time." (Times Leader, The Evening News)
WHEELERWarren County - Allegheny National Forest
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WHETHAMClinton County
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WHIPPLE
Huntingdon County
1916: A 36-foot wood tower was erected.
WHITE DEER MOUNTAIN
Union County
1913: A tree observation point 20 feet above the ground was established.
WHITE ROCKSFranklin County
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WHITTIMORE
Cameron County - Elk State Forest
March 18, 1943: The cost of vandalism was demonstrated last month when a final payment was made for damaging a forest fire observation tower and cabin and stealing a pair of binoculars used by the towerman. George H. Wirt, Chief Forest Fire Warden of the Department of Forests and Waters said today.
Four young men in a dilapidated auto journeyed to the Whittimore Hill fire observation tower located near Emporium, Cameron county. They damaged the cabin, wrecked the furniture, broke the stove, broke the trap door to the tower, demolished windows and stole a pair of binoculars.
The four youths, ranging from sixteen to nineteen years of age, were apprehended, and pleaded guilty to malicious mischief. As a result they were placed on probation for one year and each one of them was fined $50 and costs. They were also required to reimburse the State for the damage, the payment to be made in installments. They paid the final installment last month." (McKean County Democrat)
WHITTAKER
Pike County
1914: A 40-foot wood tower was erected.
WILDWOOD
Elk County
WILLIAM PENN MEMORIALBerks County - City of Reading
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WILLIAMSPORT ROAD
Lycoming County
An unimproved bald top observation point established prior to 1918.
WINSLOW
Elk County
WOODWARDCentre County
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WORKS HILL
Fayette County
January 10, 1924: "J.C. Beatty of Uniontown, a forestry inspector, was here Thursday in an effort to start a movement to raise $200 to complete a telephone line from the fire tower on Work's Hill to Monarch where it will connect with the Bell Telephone Company wires.
The tower on Work's hill is completed and the cabin is about finished. Some of the telephone poles are erected but there are no further funds for the work and the last Legislature made no appropriation toward it. The line is already half up but is entirely useless unless it can be extended to Monarch so that if the towerman should detect a fire the message could be quickly be telephoned to some fire warden near that place, while without the telephone line the tower is useless. The Work Hill tower covers the portion of mountain between the National Pike and across the Westmoreland county line.
When the line is completed a man while be kept at the tower at all times during the dangerous season. Mr. Beatty said he thought if the people of Connellsville and vicinity knew what great service could be rendered for $200 it would not be hard to raise the sum. He said he thought if $150 were contributed he might be able to secure the remainder himself. He asked that contributions be sent either to The Courier office or to him at his residence in Uniontown." (The Weekly Courier)
March 4, 1924: "S.L. Kurtz of Ligonier, assistant to District Forester V.M. Boarer (sp), and J.C. Beatty of Uniontown, fire inspector, were in Connellsville yesterday in an effort to raise a fund of $150 toward the expense of completing a line to the fire cabin erected last fall on Work hill, along the Uniontown road. Poles have been unloaded for the distance, a mile and a half, but the forestry department is without funds for setting them. The lookout station is useless without a telephone, which would be connected with the Bell line at Monarch." (The Daily Courier)
YORKVILLE
Schuykill County
ZIMMERMAN HILL
Elk County
ZOOK
Huntingdon County
1916: A tree observation post 50 feet above ground was established.
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Un-named
 Allegheny National Forest - postcard n/d - Ron Kemnow Collection
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