ROLLWAYS
Iosco County - Huron National Forest - 21N-2W-28
October 27, 1939: "Like the radio is the voice of the world the Fire Tower is the eyes of the forest. Because of the fire tower the acreage of forest and game lands burned over in Michigan has been reduced to a minimum in recent years. From these elevated positions fire tower men are able to view large expanses of territory which enables them to detect and locate fires with ease and accuracy.
With the construction of the Rollway Fire Tower in Section 28, Township 21 North, Range 2 West, Camp Houghton Lake will add another eye in the forest. Work was begun on this tower October 16. Mr. Emmett Sullivan, Junior Foreman of Camp Houghton Lake, will supervise the construction work under the direction of Project Superintendent Sam Cline.
This structure is to be unique as fire towers are concerned in that it will be constructed of wood rather than steel, the material usually used for this purpose, especially in Michigan. The timber to be used is to be creosoted southern yellow pine.
The fire tower will be 100 feet in height and will have eight platforms. The base is to be twenty feet square. The tower will be supported by concrete footings which will be three feet square at the base and tapering to a one foot- three inch square top." (Clare Sentinel)
With the construction of the Rollway Fire Tower in Section 28, Township 21 North, Range 2 West, Camp Houghton Lake will add another eye in the forest. Work was begun on this tower October 16. Mr. Emmett Sullivan, Junior Foreman of Camp Houghton Lake, will supervise the construction work under the direction of Project Superintendent Sam Cline.
This structure is to be unique as fire towers are concerned in that it will be constructed of wood rather than steel, the material usually used for this purpose, especially in Michigan. The timber to be used is to be creosoted southern yellow pine.
The fire tower will be 100 feet in height and will have eight platforms. The base is to be twenty feet square. The tower will be supported by concrete footings which will be three feet square at the base and tapering to a one foot- three inch square top." (Clare Sentinel)
August 9, 1940: "Enrollees from Camp Houghton Lake are nearing the completion of the construction of the Rollway Fire Tower, located in Section 28, Township 21 North, Range 2 West.
The entire framework of this 100 foot high tower has been completed, with construction work now being confined to the erection of the enclosed cabin located on the topmost platform. This cabin will be approximately seven feet in height making the total height of the tower about 107 feet. This tower, which is located at the highest elevation in that section, gives a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.
The tower will be unique in structure, as compared to other Michigan towers, as it is constructed of wood, rather than steel. All timbers used in this structure are made of creosoted pine. The base of the tower is supported by three feet square concrete footings, with steel cable gut supports extending from approximately three-fourths of the height of tower.
The construction of this tower is under the supervision of Emmett Sullivan, Junior Foreman, C&M, and will be completed in the very near future, according to Mr. Sam Cline, Project Superintendent." (Clare Sentinel)