WEDINGTON MOUNTAIN
Arkansas - Washington County - Ozark National Forest
June 30, 1936: "A fire tower near the north end of Wedington Mountain is rapidly taking form. This is to be 100 feet high on a lookout point having 1,400 feet elevation. From this elevation one may see long distances in every direction and into three states. No automobile road will lead to this, but a steep path is being cut which probably will lure many." (Fayetteville Daily Democrat)
May 17, 1968: "County, state and federal police continue their search today for the vandals who apparently suffered severe cuts earlier this week while stealing two radios and attempting to wreck the fire tower at Lake Wedington.
The vandals knocked out 37 window panes and carried off two radios valued at approximately $800 Tuesday night. In addition, various items located within the tower were tossed out the structure and scattered.
'Whoever did it cut themselves pretty good on the glass,' a law enforcement spokesman said. 'There were blood soaked tissues in the tower and on the ground.'
The radios taken were a base unit located in a small structure at the foot of the tower and a remote unit located in the tower. The base unit was owned by the Arkansas State Forestry Commission.
The state also owns the tower and the small building, which was also wrecked by the vandals. The federal government owns the remote radio unit and the tower. Rangers man the fire tower only during daylight hours." (Northwest Arkansas Times)
May 18, 1968: "Deputy Prosecutor Richard Wells charged three 18-year-old Gentry youths, two of whom are University of Arkansas students, with burglary and grand larceny Friday afternoon in connection with theft and vandalism at the Lake Wedington fire tower.
The arrest followed an intense investigation by the sheriff's office and other law enforcement officials following the incident Tuesday night at Lake Wedington." (Northwest Arkansas Times)