LOUISIANA LOOKOUTS
LELAND
Catahoula Parish
September 17, 1961: "This bountiful state, rich in so many ways, can't scrape up the money to make safe a fire tower used to spot fires which could costs numerous lives and untold property.
'There is no money for the replacement of the Leland fire tower in Ward Two of Catahoula Parish, at least for the 1961-62 fiscal year, James E. Mixon, state forester, advised the parish Police Jury.'
'The Police Jury had asked by resolution that the vertical type unprotected ladder for the purpose of ascending and descending the tower be replaced with a winding stair type stairway.'
'The ladder of the Leland tower, near Sicily Island, is 96 feet high and is very narrow.'
'It is reported that many young people are going out to the tower and climbing the ladder, many of these at night time and when there is no watchman on duty. There is a sign at the foot of the tower which reads, 'Get permission, climb at your own risk." (Monroe Morning World)
'There is no money for the replacement of the Leland fire tower in Ward Two of Catahoula Parish, at least for the 1961-62 fiscal year, James E. Mixon, state forester, advised the parish Police Jury.'
'The Police Jury had asked by resolution that the vertical type unprotected ladder for the purpose of ascending and descending the tower be replaced with a winding stair type stairway.'
'The ladder of the Leland tower, near Sicily Island, is 96 feet high and is very narrow.'
'It is reported that many young people are going out to the tower and climbing the ladder, many of these at night time and when there is no watchman on duty. There is a sign at the foot of the tower which reads, 'Get permission, climb at your own risk." (Monroe Morning World)
1980: The 100-foot tall steel tower with ladder access was eliminated as it's usefulness was outlived.