GULF
Missouri Lookouts - Laclede County - Mark Twain National Forest - 33N-12W-8
January 28, 1937: "Under the supervision of Forest Ranger Paul R. Larsson, of Houston, and Foreman B. Lax, of Lynchburg, a crew of boys from the Lynchburg CCC Camp have just completed the erection of the third all-steel, 100-foot fire lookout tower to be built in the Roubidoux District of the Gardner National Forest.
This tower is located just a half-mile north of the buildings of the Gulf Line Pump Station. This pump station is located east of Nebo on the Nebo-Evening Shade road. The site is, no doubt, one of the best in the area for a lookout tower inasmuch as it covers an area not easily observed by any of the other towers located in either the Roubidoux or Piney Districts of the Gardner National Forest.
The tower is of the latest type and allows easy ascent through a series of stairs and platforms running in the frame work from the ground to the floor of the lookout cabin. It is entirely of steel construction, except for the stairs and platform, and is firmly built on an excellent concrete foundation.
An observer in this tower is provided an excellent opportunity to see the surrounding territory. To the north, Lebanon can be seen on a clear day, while to the south, east and west, practically all areas of the District not observed by the Roby and Lynchburg towers, can be clearly seen. In addition, the tower affords an exceptionally good view of the Roubidoux Valley. This will aid greatly in the rapid detection of forest fires and in reduction of burned areas. One of the difficulties encountered in previous fire seasons, has been inability to see small fires in this area. All such fires can now be detected easily and extinguished before they reach a size wherein considerable damage can be done in a very short space of time.
The new tower, and the increased effort on the part of the local residents to cooperate closely with Forest Service regulations covering burning, should greatly reduce fire loses in 1937. Consequently, there will be built up a greater ground cover and water absorption area in the District. This, in turn, will directly benefit local residents in providing greater and larger waterflow of small streams and springs during dry periods in the summer and early fall seasons." (The Houston Herald)
This tower is located just a half-mile north of the buildings of the Gulf Line Pump Station. This pump station is located east of Nebo on the Nebo-Evening Shade road. The site is, no doubt, one of the best in the area for a lookout tower inasmuch as it covers an area not easily observed by any of the other towers located in either the Roubidoux or Piney Districts of the Gardner National Forest.
The tower is of the latest type and allows easy ascent through a series of stairs and platforms running in the frame work from the ground to the floor of the lookout cabin. It is entirely of steel construction, except for the stairs and platform, and is firmly built on an excellent concrete foundation.
An observer in this tower is provided an excellent opportunity to see the surrounding territory. To the north, Lebanon can be seen on a clear day, while to the south, east and west, practically all areas of the District not observed by the Roby and Lynchburg towers, can be clearly seen. In addition, the tower affords an exceptionally good view of the Roubidoux Valley. This will aid greatly in the rapid detection of forest fires and in reduction of burned areas. One of the difficulties encountered in previous fire seasons, has been inability to see small fires in this area. All such fires can now be detected easily and extinguished before they reach a size wherein considerable damage can be done in a very short space of time.
The new tower, and the increased effort on the part of the local residents to cooperate closely with Forest Service regulations covering burning, should greatly reduce fire loses in 1937. Consequently, there will be built up a greater ground cover and water absorption area in the District. This, in turn, will directly benefit local residents in providing greater and larger waterflow of small streams and springs during dry periods in the summer and early fall seasons." (The Houston Herald)
Removed
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1946 (RAM)
THE STATION IS LOCATED ABOUT 16 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF
WAYNESVILLE, ABOUT 22 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF LEBANON AND ABOUT 9
MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE SMALL VILLAGE OF FALCON. IT IS ON THE
PROPERTY OF THE MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST, THE POINT SELECTED IS
62.10 FEET NORTH OF THE FOREST SERVICE LOOKOUT TOWER OF THAT
PROPERTY. THIS LOOKOUT TOWER IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE GULF LOOKOUT
TOWER. THE STATION IS 5 FEET WEST OF A WITNESS POST, THE MARK
PROJECTS 3 INCHES AND THE DISK IS STAMPED GULF 1946.
TO REACH THE STATION FROM THE POST-OFFICE IN THE SMALL VILLAGE
OF FALCON, GO SOUTHEAST ON STATE HIGHWAY 32 FOR 9.1 MILES TO A
Y FORKS JUST BEFORE PASSING OVER A CONCRETE BRIDGE. HERE KEEP
LEFT AND GO 3.6 MILES TO WATERTANK AT THE GULF PUMPING STATION.
CONTINUE THROUGH THE GULF PROPERTY FOR 0.3 MILE TO A Y FORKS,
TURN LEFT, NORTH, AND GO 0.3 MILE* TO THE FOREST SERVICE LOOKOUT
TOWER AND THE STATION ON THE RIGHT AS DESCRIBED.