MAY, 1857 T1re$ton« PAGE 3 Camp Firestone 22nd Season Opens May 11th . »"i'* ^7.", •?'”*■- -..tf ■i‘i ■•? ■" ■'■ V'■ ■ •' ?r 5. » t'l7, /fJ? COOL LAKE JAMES offers boating and fish- palrolled by game wardens during the fishing ing waters with 130 miles of shoreline. Restocked season. This scene of an inlet on the lake is a regularly by the State Wildlife Service, it is few miles from Camp Firestone. mgrnrnmmmmmmmmm ACRES OF SKY and limitless blue ranges extending to an edge of Lake James, is near greet the visitor to Camp Firestone in Western Canal Bridge, scene of the National Speedboat North Carolina. The Company retreat in a cove races on July 4 each year. Lake James Wildwood Retreat Has Improved Facilities ☆ ☆ ☆ “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain peaks and reser vations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” This quotation from Naturalist John Muir could well apply to the inviting atmosphere of Camp Firestone at Nebo in Western North Carolina. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains 10 miles from Marion, the Company recreational facility is in its 22nd year of service to Firestone Textiles employees and members of their families. The camp is located on Lake James in Burke and McDowell counties. At Camp Firestone throughout the years, a program of im provement of physical property has been carried out through the Mechanical Department here. In recent years workmen have re built two cabins, and during the past winter and early spring extensive repairs and improvements have gone into making ready for this year’s season, which begins May 11 and extends to late fall. IMPROVEMENTS include an addition to the dining hall, new bark siding and weatherboarding on cottages, exterior and interior painting, new floor coverings in one of the buildings, and added and repaired plumbing. The boat landing has been rebuilt. During the past winter three rowboats were constructed, bringing the total to seven. New life jackets have been provided. Since last season, some of the ground has been cleared of undergrowth, the land put in grass, eroded areas repaired and some portions landscaped. All firefighting equipment has been overhauled and a number of new extinguishers added. When employees turn in to this mountain retreat for a stay this season, they will find five cottages with sleeping facilities and complete with electric cooking stoves and refrigerators, three other cottages with sleeping quarters, and a dining hall. Altogether, the buildings accommodate 80 persons overnight, and there is plenty of room for pitching tents or camping in the open spaces. The camp water supply comes from a well 385 feet deep, besides a natural spring on the property. There is a private sewerage dis posal plant. In addition to the boating, fishing, hiking and other nature- trail endeavors that can be enjoyed at Camp Firestone, there are such recreational facilities as horseshoe pits and swings and see saws for children. EARL CROOK, the caretaker, is building a new house where he will live near the camp entrance. There he will be available to receive passes and provide employee-visitors with keys to the buildings. A telephone at his house will put the camp in touch with the outside. Plant Engineer W. G. Henson, who is in charge of maintenance and repair at the camp, reminds employees that the Company re treat is an ideal point from which to visit most of the outstanding —Turn to page 4 FACILITIES include this row of cottages (below left). Im proved buildings with sleeping quarters will accommodate 80 per sons at one time. There is plenty of room for tents and outdoor camping, too. EMPLOYEES and members of their families (below right), during a past season lined up for admittance to the 20-acre hide away of cool waters and tall timbers in the "Rooftop of Eastern America" country.
