RAUCHTOWN
Pennsylvania - Clinton County - Tiadaghton State Forest
February 2, 1935: "Parts for an 80-foot forest fire tower to be erected about 2 1/2 miles south of Rauchtown on Catfish Mountain were unloaded at Jersey Shore Tuesday and taken to CCC Camp 127 (Pine Camp) for storage until the foundations can be erected.
The new tower which will be erected by workers from the Pine Camp and which was bought by the government will command a wide area, including all of Nippenose Valley, part of White Deer Valley, and the Brush Valley Narrows. It will command an extensive vista to the north and west of Lock Haven.
A forest road leads into the neighborhood of the tower, although it will have to be extended somewhat to serve the tower. The road was built before the CCC camp came into the area, but it has been improved since.
The new tower is steel, and it was shipped from Chicago to Jersey Shore ready to be assembled. The foundation work will consist of heavy blocks of concrete, and it is expected that the job will get under way in the very near future, possibly by the use of a tent and fires to keep the new construction at the proper temperature. After the foundations are completed, it will probably not take more than a week to set up the tower, forestry officials said.
When the Catfish Mountain tower has been erected, the Tiadaghton district will have seven forest fire towers." (Lock Haven Express)
The new tower which will be erected by workers from the Pine Camp and which was bought by the government will command a wide area, including all of Nippenose Valley, part of White Deer Valley, and the Brush Valley Narrows. It will command an extensive vista to the north and west of Lock Haven.
A forest road leads into the neighborhood of the tower, although it will have to be extended somewhat to serve the tower. The road was built before the CCC camp came into the area, but it has been improved since.
The new tower is steel, and it was shipped from Chicago to Jersey Shore ready to be assembled. The foundation work will consist of heavy blocks of concrete, and it is expected that the job will get under way in the very near future, possibly by the use of a tent and fires to keep the new construction at the proper temperature. After the foundations are completed, it will probably not take more than a week to set up the tower, forestry officials said.
When the Catfish Mountain tower has been erected, the Tiadaghton district will have seven forest fire towers." (Lock Haven Express)
April 18, 1935: "Elimination of a 'blind spot' in the watch state foresters keep during the fire season, will be afforded this week by the completion of the Rauchtown fire tower which has been built by CCC boys. Because of the topography of the land this area has been invisible from other fire towers in this section, according to Homer S. Metzgar of Williamsport, district forester of the Tiadaghton district.
A towerman will be placed on duty soon. The towerman has not yet been selected, Mr. Metzgar states.
The tower is located on the summit of Kalbfleish Mountain, three miles south of Rauchtown, and has been under construction during the past month. The structure will tower 80 feet in the air and is of the latest type air motor tower.
On duty in his lofty eyrie, the towerman will be able to scan an area overlooking all the territory west to the city, and north to Woolrich, Jersey Shore and the mouth of Pine Creek." (Lock Haven Express)
April 25, 1935: "Frank Aumiller of Jersey Shore, R.D. 2, has been appointed towerman for the new fire tower, recently completed at Rauchtown, according to an announcement from the Williamsport office of the State Department of Forests and Waters.
Mr. Aumiller went to duty last Saturday and will continue at his post during the Spring fire season." (Lock Haven Express)
June 13, 1955: "The Rauchtown tower, maintained by Ralph Rauch--a decendent of the founder of the town that bears the family name--is about five miles from Rauchtown. It is an 85-foot tower commanding a magnificent view." (Lock Haven Express)
1973: Removed