PENTWATER
Oceana County
August 29, 1928: "Elihu McDonald, deputy fire warden, asked that steps be taken to secure a fire tower for Pentwater. McDonald explained that two state men called upon him last week and explained to him that, if Pentwater could show the state fire warden's department whereby a fire tower erected here could serve sufficient territory in this vicinity involving property of specified value, the fire tower with a watchman would be provided by the state at no expense to the village.
Mr. McDonald pointed out that Pentwater has miles of summer cottages extending both north and south on the beach with practically no protection from the hazard of forest fires. In addition this tower would serve to protect property at Bass Lake, together with farming communities and other resorts for miles east and south. With an ideal location provided, a high bluff. Mr. McDonald pointed out that the tower could be erected at much less expense here than elsewhere.
President Kent, appointed Clerk E.D. Bates, O.E. Reed and E. McDonald as a committee to look into the matter and draft a petition to be presented to the state." (Ludington Daily News)
Mr. McDonald pointed out that Pentwater has miles of summer cottages extending both north and south on the beach with practically no protection from the hazard of forest fires. In addition this tower would serve to protect property at Bass Lake, together with farming communities and other resorts for miles east and south. With an ideal location provided, a high bluff. Mr. McDonald pointed out that the tower could be erected at much less expense here than elsewhere.
President Kent, appointed Clerk E.D. Bates, O.E. Reed and E. McDonald as a committee to look into the matter and draft a petition to be presented to the state." (Ludington Daily News)
September 12, 1928: "The possibilities of obtaining a fire-tower for the community was discussed at the meeting. The project has the endorsement of the local Chamber of Commerce, and the village council, and the Bass Lake Improvement association also has gone on the record as approving the project.
Petitions are being prepared for circulation by members of the Chamber of Commerce and these will be sent to the department of conservation later.
Ever since the fire which burned over several hundred acres of second growth timber east of Pentwater late in the spring, residents of the district have been apprehensive that other timber areas might be destroyed. The region about Pentwater and vicinity is well covered with forest growth, and a fire once out of control would ruin the township as a summer resort for many years.
A fire tower and watch stationed on one of the highest dunes during the dry season would afford more protection than the community now has." (Ludington Daily News)
July 25, 1930: "The Pentwater fire tower again has justified its construction by its locating what undoubtedly would have been a disastrous fore fire Sunday.
A woods fire south of Pentwater lake was noticed by the tower man. He telephoned the key man, O.E. Reed, who took three men to investigate. They found a brisk fire spreading through the woods of large second growth and headed straight for the resort section of Otowattomie park where about 15 summer cottages were endangered." (Ludington Daily News)
January 27, 1931: Elihu McDonald: "His last act for the community was the securing of the state fire tower erected last year on the south side of Pentwater lake. After securing the endorsement of village council and township board, he went to Lansing at his own expense to get the tower located here." (Ludington Daily News)
NGS Data Sheet
DESIGNATION - PENTWATER
PID - OL0524
STATE/COUNTY- MI/OCEANA
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - PENTWATER (2017)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1932 (HCW)
ABOUT 0.5 MILE SOUTHWEST OF BUSINESS SECTION OF PENTWATER, NORTHWEST
OF FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER, AND ON HIGHEST AND MOST STABLE PART OF SAND
DUNE.
TO REACH FROM U.S. ROUTE 31 AT COMMERCIAL HOTEL AND VERBACK TAVERN IN PENTWATER, GO WEST AND SOUTH (ACROSS BRIDGE) 0.75 ON MAIN-TRAVELED
ROAD TO UNGRADED ROAD LEADING WEST (RIGHT) AT BASE OF DUNE, FOLLOW
THIS ROAD WHICH WINDS BACK INTO DUNES 0.55 MILE TO POINT WHERE IT
TURNS TO LEFT DOWN A HILL, AND FOLLOW SAND TRAIL LEADING WEST AND
NORTH ABOUT 100 YARDS TO TOP OF DUNE AND STATION SITE.