VERMONT LOOKOUTS
BELVIDERE MOUNTAIN
Orleans County
February 13, 1919: "W.G. Hastings, State forester, announces that three new lookout towers for fire protection are being contemplated in this State for the coming summer. One of these probably will be erected on Belvidere Mountain at the point where Franklin, Orange and Lamoille counties converge. The tower at this point will be erected by the Nelson Hall Lumber company of Montgomery Center and the Mississquoi Paper & Pulp Co. of Shelburne, whose lumber interests will be protected from fire by this tower." (Burlington Weekly Free Press)
October 20, 1920: "L.T. Kinsley, who has been lookout on Belvidere mountain this summer, has completed his duties and reported to the state forester's office Thursday. He had constructed a lookout tower on the top of the mountain this summer which is about 12 feet square at the top and suitably constructed to withstand weather conditions. While this mountain is not as high as many in the state, it has probably as wide a range of view as most of the mountains in Vermont and more range of view than some of the higher ones. It is very fitting for fire prevention work, there being no other mountains nearby to hide the view. Last year he built a cabin. This year he had a tent which visitors occupied and some 50 remained over night, while about 500 have visited the mountain during the season." (The Monitor)
1921: "Work was continued on the Belvidere Mountain and cabin. It is planned to make the towers and cabins on these lookout points plain but neat and substantial structures, which will enable the lookout watchman to live comfortably and work efficiently." (11th Biennial Report of the Agriculture Commissioner)
October 7, 1931: "A report has been received by Commissioner of Forestry Perry H. Merrill that lightning struck the lookout tower on Belvidere mountain. The tower was splintered and a half a mile of telephone line put out of commission." (The Brattleboro Reformer)
1936-38: "Painted tower and replaced rotted timbers. Repaired lightning damage to tower. Relocated part of trail to tower to avoid blasting at mine. Painted lookout's cabin." (Fire Control Work, During period July 1, 1936, to June 30, 1938, "Report of the Department of Conservation and Development" State of Vermont)
1938-40: "The New England Forest Emergency fund constructed a new steel tower on Belvidere." (Report, Department of Conservation and development, term ending June 30, 1940)
1940-42: "Lightning protection was provided for the Belvidere cabin." (Report, Department of Conservation and Development, term ending June 30, 1942)
1949-50: "Changed over and installed half mile of telephone line, painted tower stairs and installed new cook stove." (Biennial Report of the Vermont Forest Service)
1951-52: "Tower cab painted. Relocated one half mile of telephone line." (Biennial Report of the Vermont Forest Service)
1953-54: "Painted tower cab outside and inside. Painted cabin roof. Cabin floor refinished." (Biennial Report of the Vermont Forest Service)
1957-58: "The telephone line was rebuilt for its entire length." (Biennial Report of the Vermont Forest Service)
1967-68: "We hope to overcome the inaccessibility of Belvidere by building the cabin at the foot of the mountain and moving it to the top by helicopter." (Biennial Report of the Department of Forests and Parks)
1969-70: "A program of replacing substandard lookout cabins is being continued. The difficulty of access to Belvidere Mountain was overcome by using a helicopter to air lift a 25' x 8' specially built trailer to the cabin site beside the lookout tower. This was done in October 1968 and although the actual time to move the unit from lift-off at the foot of the mountain till set-down on top was only nine minutes, much time was spent in planning the operation. The cooperation of G A F Corporation who donated the use of their asbestos mine area and loaned manpower and equipment without cost is appreciated." (Biennial Report of the Department of Forests and Parks)
