1950 Map of Wildwood Fire Tower

About this map

The Wildwood Fire Tower stands as a prominent lookout over a complex network of deep hollows and creek branches where the borders of Elk, McKean, and Cameron counties converge. This 1950 survey reveals a landscape shaped by narrow-gauge drainage and small settlements like Wellendorf Station and Straight Creek. The topography is defined by intricately named drainages such as Dead Mans Lick, Indian Camp Run, and Billy Buck Run, suggesting a history of hunting and early backcountry exploration. These names, along with family-linked landmarks like Al Wright Hol and Bingman Hol, provide a detailed record of the local geography before major modern development. The presence of Boy Scout Hollow and numerous hollows like Naval Hollow and Devils Hole reflects a terrain where timbering and local recreation likely dictated the naming of every fold in the hills. Waterways like Driftwood Branch and Clear Creek weave through the townships of Sergeant, Shippen, and Jones, anchoring the region's physical identity.