VIRGINIA LOOKOUTS
CHESTNUT KNOB
Henry County
November 1, 1939: "Co. 2345 recently constructed a steel fire tower on Chestnut Knob, the highest elevation in Henry County. The tower is fifty-two feet high and has an observation room eight feet square perched on top. Nearly three miles of telephone lines were built to connect the tower with the main line. During the fire season the tower is manned to protect the forests of the county." (Among Us, Co. 2345, CCC)
April 6, 1961: "The steel tower at Chestnut Knob is 53 feet high and is built on the highest point in central Henry County. One can see in all directions from the glass enclosed, rectangular watch tower. You can pick out many landmarks of Martinsville proper to the north and can sight water towers and smokestacks from as far away as Draper and Leaksville to the south. One thing that puzzled us for a bit was the sharp contrast that the new lumberyard of American Furniture Co. at Fontaine has made on the countryside since we last visited the tower a couple of years ago." (Martinsville Bulletin)