Funding
- Lumber Heritage Region: $5,000
- Total Project Cost: $17450 (Phase I-II)
Type of Project
The McKean County Historical Society’s Prospect Hill Fire Tower project aims to save and restore the fire tower top, transforming it into an educational and interactive exhibit that is handicap accessible. The display will feature the original map table, tower tools, and historical information about the fire tower network, McKean County’s role in it, and the region’s lumber industry. Visitors will also experience 360° panoramic images from the tower’s original location on Prospect Hill.
By preserving the authentic structure and artifacts, this exhibit will create a meaningful connection to the past, immersing visitors in the experiences of those who once relied on these towers to protect Pennsylvania’s forests.
Project Details
In 2016, the Prospect Hill Fire Tower was set for demolition, but the community rallied to save it, recognizing it as more than just a structure—it was a historic landmark representing McKean County’s forestry and fire protection legacy. While efforts to preserve it in place were unsuccessful, the top portion of the tower was salvaged, ensuring a physical connection to the past and an educational opportunity for future generations.
The goal is to restore and transform the tower’s top section into a handicap-accessible exhibit featuring:
🛠 Fire tower tools & equipment
🌲 History of the local lumber industry & fire tower network
📸 Historic photos & 360° panoramic views from Prospect Hill
This exhibit will honor the role fire towers played in protecting Pennsylvania’s forests, particularly the lumber and oil industries that shaped McKean County.
The “Save the Tower” campaign, petition drives, and local news coverage demonstrated strong public interest, leading the County to allow the top portion of the tower to be preserved. However, it took six years to relocate it, and now efforts are focused on securing funding, materials, and skilled volunteers for:
🎨 Repainting & welding
🔧 Window replacement
♿ Handicap accessibility improvements
With Phases I & II complete, work continues on Phases III & IV, bringing the exhibit closer to reality. Once finished, visitor tracking and feedback collection will help measure its impact and engagement.
This ongoing community effort ensures that the fire tower’s legacy—and McKean County’s rich forestry history—will be preserved for future generations.
