PENNSYLVANIA LOOKOUTS

TARK HILL

Lackawanna County
April 4, 1951:   "A new forest fire observation tower has been located at Tark Hill, Suscon Road, about five miles from Dupont, Manuel M. Gordon, district forester of Lackawanna Forestry District, announced.  James J. Reap mans the tower.
      The new tower replaces Big Shinney Tower in Spring Brook Township which was blown over last year during a heavy windstorm.   Decision to locate the new tower at Tark Hill was the result of a survey by the Department of Forestry showing a better coverage of the area involved would result from the new location."   (Pittston Gazette)

April 25, 1952:   "The Spring fire season is off to an early start in the area, local foresters report.  Forestry officials are hopeful that the fire record achieved last fall season will be surpassed, when fire were held to a low number.
      The Tark Hill Tower, Suscon, has been opened.  James Reap of Suscon is in charge of the observation post.  The Tark Hill tower was recently built to replace Big Shinny Tower, which was blown down by heavy winds in November, 1950."   (Times Leader, The Evening News)

​March 28, 1955:   "Noting the forest fire season is at hand, an official urged persons burning refuse to notify the nearest tower so no alert is sent out.
      Towers in Luzerne County--all equipped with telephones  and radio--are:  Dry Land Hill Tower,  Harvey's Tower and Tark Hill Tower."   (The Plain Speaker)

April 13, 1955:   "Tark Hill Tower located near Dupont, operator James Reap.  This tower covers the valley from South Scranton to Wilkes-Barre and the Daleville, Thornhurst, Bear Creek area."   (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader)

Picture
August 3, 1960:   "A 90-foot steel fire tower is being erected south of Dupont by Pennsylvania State Department of Forests and Waters.  The new tower replaces Tark Hill Tower, which was dismantled because of preference of the Federal Aviation Administration for Tark Hill site as a VORTAC facility."   (Wilkes-Barre Record)