Article on the Cedar Bridge Fire Lookout

[Teegate]

All,

I have written a small article on the evolution of the Cedar Bridge Fire Lookout from it's beginnings in 1924 to today. Using information from the present National Geodetic Survey, from Tour Guides published in that era, from a guide book published by the state fire service for the Retreat tower on Big Hill, and from an unpublished manuscript by lookout historian Bob Spear that I contributed to, you will get a short and as much as possible fact laced idea on the lookouts history.

I can't say I am an expert on fire lookouts and most likely never will be; however, I have over the last few years done some research that has brought facts to light that more accurately places the tower at it's respective location. With this small article I have tried as best as my poor writing skills can do to give you an accurate account.

Ben has placed this article on the front page of his site, or you can view it at this link.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/content/view/57/40/

Thank you Ben.

Guy

 

[Ben Ruset]

Thank you for the article.

 

[BEHR655]

Great article Guy. Excellent job.

Steve

 

[Hewey]

very good article, that must have been some sight seeing a helicopter with a fire tower in tow flying over the pines even for that short of a distance. ever see the fire tower in lakewood, looks kinda out of place.

 

[Ben Ruset]

ever see the fire tower in lakewood, looks kinda out of place.

that's not too far from my house

 

[Teegate]

Actually, the helicopter tried to pick the tower up but it was too heavy. So they flew around awhile until the gas started to run low and then were able to pick it up. That is what I was told.

Guy

 

[woodjin]

Very interesting article Guy!!

 

[foofoo]

i think they moved the tower in 88. it was still in the woods in 83 for sure. it was a meeting point for many hunters and adventurers. the fire service man inthe tower use to allow my family to come up. it was neat. he had a map layed out of the area with map pins and strings crossing the map to locate and send fighters to the fires. on windy days he was up in there.i guess he had to hang on. i could also share another fun secret but my grandfather who has since past wouldnt like it. my dad told me a story of a naked john and yoko incident. hippies being themselves i guess.

 

[Teegate]

i think they moved the tower in 88.

That may certainly be true. I worked on finding the info on the 1924 tower movement and the location it was moved to. I was told that that portion of it's history was hard to determine, so I concentrated on that.

Guy