The caption on the picture of Mrs. Elliott and Pauline Wendt "manning" the fire watch 
station in 1955 is not accurate.  The station was actually part of the Air Force aircraft
spotter network.  This was in the days before widespread radar coverage and in the days or
relatively low flying aircraft.  The headset on Pauline is connected directly to the local
"filter center".  The spotters called in the number of aircraft, direction from the tower,
direction they were flying, altitude, speed, and type of aircraft.  Then in some 
deep dark dungeon the aircraft was plotted on a BIG board to track it.
 
Tom Oliver - 2/25/99