VIOLA
Kent County
1935: "The fire detection system will be strengthened and expanded when the new lookout tower, now in the last stages of construction on an one-acre plot about one and a half miles west of Viola, is completed. This new tower, supplied from Emergency Conservation Work funds and erected by Civilian Conservation Corps men from Emergency Conservation Work Camp S-53 on the Redden State Forest, will cover the major portion of forest land in Kent County and work in close conjunction with other towers of the Department system located in Sussex County." (Annual Report of the State Forester to the State Forestry Commission, FY 1935)
1935: "The new forest fire lookout tower, provided through Emergency Conservation Work funds and erected by CCC veterans in the summer of 1935 on a 0ne-acre site located about one and a half miles west of Viola along the Viola-Petersburg road, was placed in service during the fall of 1935." (Report of the State Forester to the State Forestry Commission)
1936: "The new Viola tower cabin is of peaked, ventilated top and half opening, three quarter hung steel sash design. One season's operation of this tower was sufficient to demonstrate the impracticability of this design for our climatic condition and serviceability standards. Accordingly, it was early decided that alterations converting the cabin to the proven beacon top type with sliding wood sash, designed and perfected by the Department, were to be effected. When it was found that, in order to effect the change, complete dismantling and reconstruction of the upper twenty feet of the tower would be economically necessary, it was decided to increase the height by inserting a 13 1/2 foot section between the cabin section and the one immediately below it. Bids for supplying the fabricated necessary to do this work have been requested. The cost of all materials incidental to the re construction will be paid from Emergency Conservation Work funds and the work will be done by men from CCC Company 1293 stationed on the Redden State Forest.
When completed, the tower will have been increased in height from 99 1/2 feet to 113 feet (measured from the bottom of cabin floor) or 123 feet to the top of the hurricane deck rail. The additional height will enlarge the effective range and increase the angle of vision. Other improvements will permit the installation of sliding wood sash, sidewall insulation and other features essential to the protection of equipment and comfort of the towerman during his lonely vigil." (Annual Report of the State Forester to the State Forestry Commission, FY 1936)
1937: "During the summer of 1936 the Viola forest fire lookout tower, supplied and erected through ECW funds, in 1935, was remodelled by the insertion of a 13 1/2 foot section between the top section and the next one below and complete replacement of the cabin and roof. The change so improved the angle of vision from the tower that additional height seems advisable on all existing towers and dictates that all towers erected in the future should be 120 feet tall." (Annual Report of the State Forester to the State Forestry Commission, FY 1937)
1955: "During the year sliding type aluminum frame windows with blur glass were installed in the Viola tower. At the same time ceiling and top of the window cupboards were built in." (Annual Report of the State Forester to the State Forestry Commission, FY 1955)