FORDNEY
Luce County - State Department of Conservation
February 23, 1936: "With the completion of the Fordney fire tower, located on a considerable elevation in the east central part of Luce county, supervisory and enrolled personnel of Michigan Conservation Work CCC Camp Newberry this winter added another link in the chain of towers which serve to protect the vast timbered areas of Schoolcraft, Luce and eastern Alger counties.
Ten towers which have proved their worth in the material reduction of forest fire loss in recent years, are located in the area. They were constructed for the Field Administration division, District 6, of the Department of Conservation.
The Fordney tower is a 100 foot high steel structure of advanced design. The view from the towerman's lookout commands a large area even without the assistance of glasses. The tower will serve as protection for much of that area in eastern ranges of Luce county which is contemplated as the site of the proposed Tahquamenon Falls State Park, potentially one of the most beautiful of all Michigan's famous beauty spots." (Escanaba Daily Press)
Ten towers which have proved their worth in the material reduction of forest fire loss in recent years, are located in the area. They were constructed for the Field Administration division, District 6, of the Department of Conservation.
The Fordney tower is a 100 foot high steel structure of advanced design. The view from the towerman's lookout commands a large area even without the assistance of glasses. The tower will serve as protection for much of that area in eastern ranges of Luce county which is contemplated as the site of the proposed Tahquamenon Falls State Park, potentially one of the most beautiful of all Michigan's famous beauty spots." (Escanaba Daily Press)
NGS Data Sheet
DESIGNATION - FORDNEY
PID - RJ1165
STATE/COUNTY- MI/LUCE
COUNTRY - US
USGS QUAD - BETSY LAKE SW (2017)
STATION RECOVERY (1949)
RECOVERY NOTE BY US LAKE SURVEY 1949
STATION RECOVERED IN GOOD CONDITION. LOCATED 13 MI. N OF NEWBERRY, 30
FT. N OF THE ROAD TO THE FIRE TOWER, AND ON THE FIRST RIDGE ALONG THE
ROAD. MARKED BY A 12-IN. CONCRETE POST WITH A 3/4-IN. CARRIAGE BOLT
ON TOP, 3 IN. ABOVE GROUND, AND MARKED USLS 1921.
TO REACH THE STATION FROM THE D.S.S. AND A. CROSSING AT NEWBERRY, GO
4.4 MI ON M-48 TO FOUR MILE CORNER, TAKE COUNTY ROAD 443 FOR 8.6 MI. N
TO A DIRT ROAD, TURN RIGHT FOR 0.9 MILE TO A FORK, BEAR LEFT FOR 0.65
MILE TO A FORK, BEAR RIGHT FOR 0.45 MILE TO FORDNEY CAMP, TURN LEFT ON
A ROAD TO A FIRE TOWER FOR 0.4 MI. TO REFERENCE MONUMENT 2. FORDNEY
FIRE TOWER BEARS NW 0.6 MI.