WEST KENNEBAGO MOUNTAIN
Oxford County - Maine Forestry District
1911: Established with the construction of a wood tower. (From the photo inventory of the Maine Historical Society)
1911: "The total cost of the West Kennebago station was $190.34, there being paid for construction of the building, $45.20; furnishing and supplies, $131.07; telephone.
, $14.07." (1912 Forest Commissioner's Report)
1912: "S.F. Peaslee, chief warden for Franklin and Oxford Counties reports that the bulk of the improvements made in his territory during the past two seasons consisted of a lookout station built on West Kennebago Mt. in Oxford County. About two and one-half miles of telephone line was used to connect said station by telephone." (1912 Forest Commissioner's Report)
1914: "On West Kennebago Mountain, the old wooden tower has been replaced by a twenty-four foot steel tower with house on top for the watchman." (1914 Forest Commissioner's Report)
August 3, 1925: "Gardiner friends have received interesting letters and snapshots from Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Blake, who are passing the summer at West Kennebago Mountain, Grants, where Mr. Blake is a state fire warden. They report that they are enjoying their summer very much and have seen many impressive sights. Looking out of the fire warden's tower they can see mountains in Canada, also in New Hampshire.
They write of being one day in the tower which is 40 feet high, and to the right of them the sun was shining, to the left over Capsupsic and Mooselookmeguntic lakes it was pouring rain, back of the tower there was sort of veil hanging from the clouds to the top of the trees, and then they saw five beautiful rainbows, single and double, there being no rain where they were standing. Some very clear snapshots show their log cabin, the lookout tower, and a path leading to it. Mr. and Mrs. Blake were recently visited by Charles Baker of Randolph." (Daily Kennebec Journal)
June 23, 1926: "Gardiner friends of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Blake who are stationed at Grants West Kennebago Mountain have received word of their safe arrival at the lookout tower where Mr. Blake is fire warden. Soon after their arrival there was a heavy snow storm and they came very near running out of supplies. They already have had many interesting mountain experiences and are anticipating a pleasant summer. The weather has been practically the same as that here only about for really pleasant days since they have been there." (Daily Kennebec Journal)
May 18, 2012: The tower removed.