Bowers Pole at SPS
Philip K Swartz - 1960-61 - South Pole Station - Antarcticans Database Project more

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Station initially positioned by LT Bowers based on several days of sun sightings. Actual pole subsequently located about a 1/2 mile away based on star sightings by Paul Siple (Boy Scout that accompanied Byrd on one of his expeditions, and first scientific leader of SPS.) The next year, additional star sightings placed actual pole between "Siple's Pole" and the station, but no marker erected. Mirrored ball on top of pole brought (by Siple?) in hopes that sunlight glinting from ball would aid anyone lost in a white-out to return to the station. Penguin at base is a mummified penguin found near McMurdo and flown in for no particular reason other than to have one there. Small tree is remnant of Christmas tree flown in from NZ for Christmas 1960. Round black sign to the right is back side of a sign giving directions to Mystic River bridge (Connecticut.)

Pictures from Philip K Swartz, overwinter, South Pole, 60-61