In 1917, Maine registered another "first" in fire protection efforts, using a panoramic alidade.
Watchmen drew features of the area on heavy drafting paper. Workers in Augusta later turned the draft into the panoramic map.
At left is the tower at Coburn Mountain in Somerset County.
The wood tower was built in 1910 and a 24-foot steel replacement in 1914.
In 1938, the cab was crushed by ice and rebuilt.
P.J. Walsh of The Forks was the watchman in 1917. John M. Comber of Caratunk was chief warden.
