FLORIDA LOOKOUTS

SALEM

Taylor County

October 12, 1958:  "About 60 forest fires, apparently the work of arsonists, broke out Saturday in Taylor County.
     A spokesman for the State Forestry Service said the telephone line from the Salem fire tower in Taylor County was cut.
     An estimated 500 to 1,000 acres of woodlands were burning, all in the southwest part of the county near Gulf coast.
     The forestry service spokesman said that none of the fires was near dwellings.  Forestry service workers were moved in from several adjoining counties and firefighters in other parts of the state were alerted to furnish aid if it proved necessary.  Private landowners, including the Buckeye Cellulose Co. with extensive landholdings in the area, also lent aid."  (The Evening Independent)

September 14, 2005:   Bids were opened for the sale of the tower and the 10-acre parcel of land it sets on.  The winning bids was for $106,750.00.