BALD KNOB
Illinois - Union County - Shawnee National Forest
September 19, 1930: "Lighthouses are common things at sea but a 'lighthouse' on land is the newest forest fire prevention innovation of the State of Illinois.
A steel lookout tower, sixty feet tall, has been erected by the State Department of Conservation, in the 3,000 acre state forest preserve in the Ozark hills of this (Union) county to aid lookouts in detecting fires and also afford tourists an opportunity of obtaining a splendid view of the Ozark country.
The tower, first of its kind in the state, is located near Bald Knob, highest point in the hills that traverse southern Illinois and second highest elevation in the state." (The Daily Independent)
A steel lookout tower, sixty feet tall, has been erected by the State Department of Conservation, in the 3,000 acre state forest preserve in the Ozark hills of this (Union) county to aid lookouts in detecting fires and also afford tourists an opportunity of obtaining a splendid view of the Ozark country.
The tower, first of its kind in the state, is located near Bald Knob, highest point in the hills that traverse southern Illinois and second highest elevation in the state." (The Daily Independent)
September 19, 1930: "The tower, surmounted by a glass enclosed lookout house, will serve as the 'eye' of the fire prevention service, according to Lewis B. Springer, superintendent of the forestry division. From the lookout, a telephone line will enable the observer to communicate with the forest headquarters, and, connection with local telephone systems will permit an interchange of information in case of threatening fires in the adjacent territory." (Decatur Evening Herald)
December 3, 1934: " 'God never put this hill here for farming.'
Henry Rendleman, it was, who said it. And it was his committal to the faith of his father, that gold lies somewhere deep in the folds of chirt limestone that rises majestically to the highest point in all southern Illinois.
Mr. Rendleman and his good wife were found at home Sunday on the top of 'Bald Knob,' the peak of which by way of the new road to the reforestation watch tower is just five miles from Alto Pass." (The Daily Independent)
April 8, 1939: "Thousands of worshipers are expected to gather tomorrow at Easter sunrise services on Bald Knob promontory near here. They will be guided to the summit by a huge electric cross, 70 feet high and mounted on a 60-foot steel lookout tower atop the peak. The cross was first lighted Monday night." (The Daily Independent)
c.1942: "Bald Knob, one of the very highest peaks in the State, 1,040 feet. Hundreds of acres of the finest timber in the State on slopes. Fire tower erected by the U.S. Forest Service named Bald Knob Lookout Station. (4.8 miles southwest of Alto Pass.)" ("Illinois Ozark Region - Historic Development of County Names, etc....")
April 2, 1953: "The Foundation planned a 150-foot cross of steel, glass and concrete, the east and west faces to be lighted, and the whole to be visible from a 4,000 square mile surrounding area. The Forest Service agreed to dismantle the old fire tower on completion of the cross, which was designed with a lookout post at the top for use of the forest rangers. The cross would also include a chapel and prayer rooms." (Southern Illinoisan)
April 12, 1974: "The 38th annual Easter sunrise service will be held Sunday at the 111-foot metal cross on Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass.
The cross has stood atop Bald Knob Mountain for 11 years. It replaced a 40-foot neon cross mounted on a fire tower. The neon cross replaced a lighted cross erected in 1939.
The first cross at Bald Knob was hewn from hickory by the Civilian Conservation Corps." (Southern Illinoisan)