The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-03-13
The Highest Signal Station in the
World.

The United States signal station al
Pixies Peak is the highest signal sta
ton in the world; it is also the highest
inhabited portion of the globe. 1t was
opened in the month Of September,
1873. That it was q wise provision OF
the Government in establishing signal
station at this point is no longer ques-
toned, the facts having already demon
strated its practicability, and the pres
ent success promises that Pixies Peak
signal station is yet to stand at the
head of all astronomical and meteoro-
logical stations in the world. This
point is wonderfully favored by nature
for the study of astronomy and me-
teorology. The rarity of the atmos-
phere brings out a remarkable brillian-
cy and clearness to the stars and all
the heavenly bodies. The nights are
most always cloudless and cloudy days
are the exception. Nine-tenths of the
storms are below the Peak. The best
and most complete report of the last
total eclipse of the sun received al
Washington was the report of Pro-
fessor Loud, of Colorado College,
from observations taken at Pixies Peak.
The signal station is now under the
charge of Sergeants Choate, Blake and
Sweeney. These officers are detailed
from the army because of their pecu-
liar adaptability and special qualifica-
tions for the accurate execution of the
nice duties of taking astronomical and
meteorological observations. To Ser
geant Rufus Choate I am greatly in
debted for the particulars embodied in
this article.
The summit of Pixies Peak contains
sixty acres. 1t is IA, 1856 feet above the
level of the sea. On the highest point
of the summit stands the signal sta
ton, q rough stone building twenty
four by thirty. one story in height. 1t
is divided into four rooms-officers'
room, kitchen, store-room and wood
room. And here in this bleak spot,
nearly twenty miles from the habita-
ton of man, though three miles nearer
the heavenly regions than most parts
of New England, these men live the
larger part Of the year. The station is
three miles from the timber line, where
the greater part of vegetation ceases.
Short grass tufted with delicate Al
pine flowers struggle for an existence
against the frigidity of the atmosphere
and creep toward the mountain top;
but there are hundreds of acres of
cold, gray and reddish rocks where
not a vestige of verdure exists.
Like the dwellers of the arctic re-
gions, the inhabitants of Pixies Peak
have but two seasons-summer and
winter. Two months of summer-Au-
gust and September-andt ten long, cold
months of winter. The summer sea-
son passes quickly. The atmosphere is
congenial; the many visitors at the
peak enhance its social life with Joy,
wonderment and mirth. During the
summer of 1873 upward of 900 people,
in parties of from five to thirty, visited
the peak, among them many ladies.
They registered from the four quarters
of the globe, and they all expressed ad-
miration and astonishment at the gran
deur and sublimity of the wonderful
views as seen from the peak. To be-
hold sunrise from the peak is an event
of lifetime, and for this purpose Wis.,
itors often remain over night at the sta
ton to be ready to catch the first
glimpse of the sun as it appears above
the horizon, gliding with its bright rays
the mountains. hills, valleys and plains,
to the wonder and delig hit of the amazed
beholder.
The duties of the officers are various.
Seven observations are taken daily; all
storms are closely watched and each
special and distinctive characteristic
duly recorded. Sunrise and sunset de-
mand close attention. Every peculiari-
ty of the heavenly regions is viewed
and record made of the same, and
monthly reports of these records are
sent to the headquarters at Washing
ton. The present year has been un-
usually prolific in sun-dogs, which are
said to progrosticate earthquakes, SUBJ
terranean explosions, immense freshets,
and troublous times. A Government
Office at Pixies Peak is no sinecure, for
the officer must buffet all storms and
brave all weathers. Occasionally an
electric storm visits the peak. There is
but little thunder accompanying these
storms, but the mountain seems all ON
fire. Sergeant Choate informs me that
when he was out observing one of these
storms it appeared as though the whole
mountain top was q sheet of electric
flame. 1t came out of every rock and
darted around with wonderful audacity.
1t played around him, as he expressed
it, shot down his back and darted out
of each boot toe, and so completely
filed him with electricity that he could
not retain his foothold, but bounded
and rebounded from the rock like q
rubber ball; he felt as though power
full electric battery was pouring fiery
darts all through him, and, deeming
discretion the better part of valor,"