Erling Manley, the quiet steward of Moran Park and the Stone Tower

The passing of Mr. Erling Manley has left a legacy of 50+ years of devotion is second to none. From the very first years I have known him, although he worked for KVOS and MCSI, his love for the park and especially the tower was significant, if not tantamount, in his focus. Erling Manly did not build the tower, he did not contract to work on it, nor was he asked to perform any of the caretaking he selflessly performed throughout 50 plus years. He simply took on whatever was not handled by park staff just because he was who he was. Not only that, he was the spokesperson to those who visited the tower and had questions about it’s history and significance, as well as the ready taxi driver for those who arrived exhausted, lost, cold or hungry. Jumper cables were always available.

I have already said that Erling Manley most likely was instrumental in saving the tower from the bulldozers in the 19070’s when it had become so degraded that State Parks was ready to give up on it and build a space needle style edifice. Although Rogan Jones was the chief negotiator with parks regarding the tower repairs, Mr. Manley was “boots on the ground” looking after the much needed repairs and removal of copious communications equipment. This effort brought the tower back into public access and on to the register of historic places in the state and subsequently in the USA. Maybe Erling Manley did not “save the tower”, but I am not sure it would still be here without his personal efforts. Since this website is dedicated to the tower, let it be said that there is a not more to be told regarding his stewardship of the entire park. He set an example for myself and many others of how one treats such prize things as well as other human beings. He will be missed on the mountain, at the tower, and throughout the island.