PENNSYLVANIA LOOKOUTS

SHAFFERS PATH

Lycoming County
Tiadaghton State Forest

November 27, 1924:  "William Yaney, towerman on the Shaffer's Path fire tower, on top of White Deer mountain in Lycoming County, was perched high up in his tower recently, watching for fires when he saw two big bears ambling along the fire-line.  The animals passed within a few feet of the tower and Yaney, who had no gun, watched them until they were out of sight."  (The Wellsboro Gazette)

​April 6, 1939: "Installation of the short-wave radio communication system throughout the Tiadaghton District of the State Department of Forests and Waters was begun Tuesday upon the arrival of a supervisor and three engineers.
     Forestry officials estimated it would take from three to four weeks to complete the key station, which will be located at Shaffer's Path fire tower, and two to three weeks to install sets in the other six fire towers and at district headquarters."(Gazette and Bulletin)

November 22, 1939: "Joseph A. Baier has been identified as the airplane pilot who dropped a note Sunday in the vicinity of Shaffer's Path Fire Tower warning the towerman of a forest fire at Sylvan Dell.
     H.S. Metzger, district forester, related yesterday circumstances which led CCC men from Elmsport to rush to the scene and extinguish the blaze after it burned over only three acres.
     Mr. Metzger said that after sighting the fire the pilot flew to the fire tower and dropped the note. Towerman William Kurtz used the newly installed short wave radio to transmit the message to headquarters." (Gazette and Bulletin)

December 20, 1939: "Progress was made yesterday by City Council in the matter of completing lighting equipment for Municipal Airport.
     A lease with the State Department of Forests and Waters for use of facilities at the fire tower on Shaffer's Path, Bald Eagle Mountain, opposite the landing field, was signed yesterday.
     This permits erection of the mountain beacon light at the fire tower.
     Councilman Frank W. Henninger was directed to negotiate with property owners abutting the airport for permission to lay-out a pole route for night illumination. This is understood to be a routine matter." (Gazette and Bulletin)

March 1, 1940: 'Resolutions were adopted authorizing the mayor to sign agreements with the State Department of Forests and Waters for installation of a revolving beacon on the fire tower at the top of Bald Eagle Mountain, opposite the Williamsport Airport." (Gazette and Bulletin)

July 5, 1940: "With Williamsport Airport approved by the Civil Aeronautics Authority, city officials are anxious to get the beacon erected on Shaffer tower path so that final approval by the C.A.A. For all night flying can be secured.
     Councilman frank W. Henninger, member of the Airport Advisory Commission, plans a trip to Harrisburg to confer with officials of the State Department of Forests and Waters.
     Several details must be ironed out before erection of the beacon can be started.
     According to the report of Samuel S. Wendle, director of public properties, the airport is in splendid condition."   (Gazette and Bulletin)

July 12, 1940: "Councilman Frank W. Henninger, member of the Airport Advisory Committee, who announced that the city would deed the land to the school district, also revealed that the city will erect its own tower for a beacon on top of the mountain. Mr. Henninger said the state has donated a tower, and that engineers will be here Monday to select a site near Shaffer path Fire Tower on the mountain south of the city. The state has agreed, he said, to have the man who checks the fire tower every two days also check the city tower. The tower will be in place and all equipment in operation by early fall, the councilman said. By using its own tower the city will save about $300, he explained." (Gazette and Bulletin)

April 7, 1944: "Hikers, sightseers or campers are now allowed in the vicinity of the Shaffer's Path Fire Tower on top of the Elmsport Mountain, Homer S. Metzger, district forester, announced Thursday.
     In the Spring several Boy Scout units and youth groups usually take hikes to the tower, Mr. Metzger said, but 'it is not allowed now,' he added.
     The action against trespassing in the area was taken when Army Security authorities and P.O.W. Officials requested the Department of Forestry and Waters to keep all persons from the site which looks over the entire ordnance reservation.
     However, Mr. Metzger pointed out, special permits will be granted for supervised hikes in the area if application is first made to the district office." (Gazette and Bulletin)