WEST VIRGINIA LOOKOUTS
RED OAK
Webster County
Monogahela National Forest
Monogahela National Forest
1934: The Red Oak tower was erected using Civilian Conservation Corps labor. (Monongahela National Forest 1915 - 1990, USDA Forest Service)
June 10, 1976: "Vandals have again been at work damaging and destroying public property on the Gauley Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest. The Red Oak Fire Tower which has been maintained for emergency fire detection and forest communication throughout the Cranberry Back Country and Wilderness Study Area and for use by the W. Va. DNR in their bear tracking program has just recently received such unwarranted destruction.
The electrical service box and wiring have been torn out and damaged beyond repair with the cabin's interior electrical heaters stolen. Locks have been broken to gain entry to the tower cabin with contents of the cabin thrown about. The tower was to have been in use as a communication post during the National Girl Scout Encampment to be held here in Mid June." (The Pocahontas Times)
October 21, 1976: "Recent damages to the Red Oak fire tower by vandals on the Gauley Ranger District, Monogahela National Forest is estimated at $700.00. Electrical service boxes and lines have been torn out, interior contents and fire detection equipment have been damaged and one of the special large pane windows has been broken out.
The Red Oak fire tower has been repeatedly damaged by vandals over the past year. The Army Corp of Engineers who operates a remote flood control station at the tower site recently had $2,500 of flood monitoring equipment removed from the site.
Anyone observing or having information concerning such acts of vandalism are asked to contact the nearest law enforcement authority or U.S. Forest Ranger Station." (The Pocahontas Times)