Timberville in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

WW II Observation Post No. 27

Broadway, VA

— 1942 —

WW II Observation Post No. 27 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 17, 2020

1. WW II Observation Post No. 27 Marker

Inscription.

world war two Observation Post No. 27. Broadway, VA. , In 1942, the Broadway Town Council erected this Observation tower atop the hill overlooking Rt. 259 just off Broadway Ave. The tower stood on a platform that was about 20 feet above the ground. The site had been selected by the U.S. Army and approved by the State Aircraft Warning Service as part of the east coast air patrol. Its mission was to spot any unidentified aircraft which may have penetrated the air defense system. Mrs. John Homan Kline (Bernice Moyers Kline) served as chief observer assisted by Mrs. E.W. Roller, Mr. J.E. Williams, Miss Lennis Moyers, Mr. J. Frank Hillyard and MRs. Herman L. Hollar., Local volunteers manned the tower. Volunteers included numerous men, women and high school students from around the area. Among the inscriptions of volunteers still visible on the window sills are: Peg Koloy (1/25/42), PANTY WAIST (12/4/42), Fawley (1/22/43), Sue Brock, hLo (1/13/43), Clark Baker (1/22/43), Don Phillips, Roger Parrish, b. aLT, Lois Landis (2/5/43), Arnold (12/25/42), George Clark (2/4/43), Gerry Hoover (12/9/42), Shirley (11/42)., Story of the Lookout Tower after world war two. When I was a little girl about 7 or 8 years old, my Daddy, Charles D. Lantz, took me to the "lookout tower" when my first cousin, Laymon Lantz, was on duty that day. We walked up the long flights of steps to the small building built on high stilts. We could look in all directions, see all of the Broadway community, the sky, the mountains and the valley. My Daddy took me a few more times to this tower and I really liked going with him., When the war was over in 154, my Dad moved the tower and brought it to our home on Linville Avenue in Broadway. We made the little building into a play house in our back yard. My Mother made curtains for the windows and put pictures on the walls. We had a small table and a desk and chairs to ouse. Many hours, days and weeks were spent playing in the playhouse with our dolls and our kitty and dog and having picnics with our friends. My brother, Eugene, sisters Phyllis and Ellen, and I enjoyed this small one-room playhouse for many years while living at home. , Written by Carolyn Lants Hatcher , August 6, 2013. , In later years, the tower provided a playhouse for the children and grandchildren of Dan and Ellen Lantz Whitmore (Carolyn's sister) In August, 2013, the Whitmore family restored the Tower both inside and out to its original appearance and donated it to the Plains District Museum. The furnishings, preserved by the Lantz family, are original to the tower. . This historical marker was erected by Plains District Museum. It is in Timberville in Rockingham County Virginia

In 1942, the Broadway Town Council erected this Observation tower atop the hill overlooking Rt. 259 just off Broadway Ave. The tower stood on a platform that was about 20 feet above the ground. The site had been selected by the U.S. Army and approved by the State Aircraft Warning Service as part of the east coast air patrol. Its mission was to spot any unidentified aircraft which may have penetrated the air defense system. Mrs. John Homan Kline (Bernice Moyers Kline) served as chief observer assisted by Mrs. E.W. Roller, Mr. J.E. Williams, Miss Lennis Moyers, Mr. J. Frank Hillyard and MRs. Herman L. Hollar.

Local volunteers manned the tower. Volunteers included numerous men, women and high school students from around the area. Among the inscriptions of volunteers still visible on the window sills are: Peg Koloy (1/25/42), PANTY WAIST (12/4/42), Fawley (1/22/43), Sue Brock, hLo (1/13/43), Clark Baker (1/22/43), Don Phillips, Roger Parrish, b. aLT, Lois Landis (2/5/43), Arnold (12/25/42), George Clark (2/4/43), Gerry Hoover (12/9/42), Shirley (11/42).

Story of the Lookout Tower after WW II When

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I was a little girl about 7 or 8 years old, my Daddy, Charles D. Lantz, took me to the "lookout tower" when my first cousin, Laymon Lantz, was on duty that day. We walked up the long flights of steps to the small building built on high stilts. We could look in all directions, see all of the Broadway community, the sky, the mountains and the valley. My Daddy took me a few more times to this tower and I really liked going with him.

When the war was over in 154, my Dad moved the tower and brought it to our home on Linville Avenue in Broadway. We made the little building into a play house in our back yard. My Mother made curtains for the windows and put pictures on the walls. We had a small table and a desk and chairs to ouse. Many hours, days and weeks were spent playing in the playhouse with our dolls and our kitty and dog and having picnics with our friends. My brother, Eugene, sisters Phyllis and Ellen, and I enjoyed this small one-room playhouse for many years while living at home.
Written by Carolyn Lants Hatcher
August 6, 2013
In later years, the tower provided a playhouse for the children and grandchildren of Dan and Ellen Lantz Whitmore (Carolyn's sister) In August, 2013, the Whitmore family restored the Tower both inside and out to its original appearance and donated it to the Plains District Museum. The furnishings,

The WW II Observation Post No. 27 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 17, 2020

2. The WW II Observation Post No. 27

preserved by the Lantz family, are original to the tower.

Erected by Plains District Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Communications • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is August 6, 2013.

Location. 38° 38.372′ N, 78° 46.432′ W. Marker is in Timberville, Virginia, in Rockingham County. Marker is on North Main Street (Virginia Route 617) just south of Rockingham Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 176 N Main St, Timberville VA 22853, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 19th c Millstone (within shouting distance of this marker); Minnich's Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commemorating the Second Timberville Community School (about 500 feet away); The Timberville Covered Bridge (about 500 feet away); Third Timberville Community School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 3½ miles away); Elder John Kline Monument (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Timberville.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.