WHITE ROCK
Pennsylvania - Franklin County
1914: A 35-foot wood tower was erected.
June 11, 1914: "The Pennsylvania State Forest Academy at Mont Alto is erecting a tower 50 feet high on the 'white rocks.' This will enable the fire wardens to look over the entire South Mountain and detect a fire in its incipiency. The tower will be connected with the Forest Academy by telephone." (Harrisburg Daily Independent)
March 31, 1920: "A forest fire of large proportion swept over an area of between fifty and sixty acres near the White Rock fire tower at Pond Park in the Mont Alto forest reservation, Monday night and was only gotten under control after a hard battle by nearby residents, and the entire student personnel of the Mont Alto Forest Academy, numbering about thirty men." (The Evening News)
August 31, 1922: "Ward Manley, of South Williamsport, who is engaged in the state forestry department road work on the top of White Deer mountain, occupying the cabin at the fire observation tower, reports a wild cat is frequenting the vicinity of the cabin at night.
The animal has followed him along the mountain top, keeping out of sight, but giving evidence of its presence by load howls. Mr. Manley is not afraid of his strange neighbor, as wildcats, contrary to general belief, do not court trouble with human beings." (Altoona Tribune)