JAY
Delaware County
July 11, 1957: "Location of a Forestry Division fire tower near Jay was announced today by Senator J.R. Hall and Representative Wiley Sparkman.
The money for the project was allotted during the last session of the legislature and became available immediately after July 1.
Hall appointed a committee here who after a conference with city officials designated the city park as a location of the tower which will become a tourist attraction.
Hall, who was notified of the site selection Wednesday, reported he thought the choice a good one and said he would advise the division of the site and work would probably begin in the very near future.
Indications are the tower will reach approximately 100 feet into the sky and will give the division coverage from here to Ottawa county and coverage to the other towers already in the county. Just how many will be employed is not known at this time." (The Delaware County Journal)
The money for the project was allotted during the last session of the legislature and became available immediately after July 1.
Hall appointed a committee here who after a conference with city officials designated the city park as a location of the tower which will become a tourist attraction.
Hall, who was notified of the site selection Wednesday, reported he thought the choice a good one and said he would advise the division of the site and work would probably begin in the very near future.
Indications are the tower will reach approximately 100 feet into the sky and will give the division coverage from here to Ottawa county and coverage to the other towers already in the county. Just how many will be employed is not known at this time." (The Delaware County Journal)
October 24, 1957: "First step in the actual construction of the forestry division fire tower started this week as surveyors plotted the site for locations of the tower and buildings.
The footings of the 100 foot tower will begin in about a week it was estimated today.
Some leveling of the site is necessary before any work can take place, they reported.
The tower will be located right next to the road on the site and other buildings will be located back some distance, they indicated." (The Delaware County Journal)
November 7, 1957: "First stages of construction on the fire watch tower started this week, according to Floyd Larmon, acting district ranger of the forestry department.
The tower, which has been delayed for some time, is being constructed about a half mile north of Jay on the Francis 10 acres recently purchased by interested Jay business people and donated to the department.
Larmon said the footing holes were in the process of being dug, but wet weather was hampering the operation." (The Delaware County Journal)
May 15, 1958: "Construction of the Fire tower near Jay is progressing as rapidly as the weather will allow. Last report by Clessie Ferguson, district ranger, reported the tower at about 60 feet high.
The tower is located North of Jay on the ground formerly owned by Wick Francis. The land was recently purchased by 10 Jay business people, and half the tract donated to the state for the tower site." (The Delaware County Journal)