MOUNT PHILO
Vermont - Chittenden County
1924-6: "During the biennium a new lookout tower was erected on the Mt. Philo State Park in the town of Charlotte." "The Vermont Forest Service has constructed on the mountain a new 60-foot fire lookout tower with glass enclosure on top." The park was a gift to the State in October 1924. (3rd Biennial Report of the Commissioner of Forestry)
November 1924: "Governor Redfield Proctor has accepted for the State of Vermont a tract of 160 acres of land in the town of Charlotte, known as MT. Philo. This munificent gift was deeded to the State by Mrs. Frances W. Humphreys. It rises to an elevation of about 1,000 feet where, from the summit of Mt. Philo, one gets a view of some of the best scenery to be found anywhere in Vermont.
The State forest service will have a guard on the tract and will use the tower as a fire lookout station." (The Forest Worker)
July 2, 1938: "A 60 foot wooden tower which has been a landmark on the top of Mt. Philo for many years has been taken down by the Vermont Forest Service. A new 80 foot steel tower has already been delivered and is to be erected by the Forest Service C.C.C. Camp from Underhill.
The reason for the change is that the Bureau of Air Commerce has been granted permission by the Forest Service to install an air beacon on Mt. Philo. For safety's sake, a new tower was needed. The beacon will be placed on the top of the cab. The new tower will continue to be used as a forest fire lookout and observation point. The tower is located on the direct radio beam between the Burlington airport and the Albany, N.Y. airport." (The Burlington Free Press)
1938-40: "New steel tower with glass enclosed cab was constructed by CCC on Mt. Philo." + "The Civil Aeronautics Authority was given a lease to install an airplane beacon on the top of the Mt. Philo tower." (Report, Department of Conservation and Development, tern ending June 30, 1940)
1947 - 1948: "The telephone line was brushed out and repaired." (Biennial Report of the Vermont Forest Service)
1949 - 1950: "Brushed out telephone line and painted stair treads. Repaired cabin roof." (Biennial Report of the Vermont Forest Service)
1951 - 1952: "Damaged stair treads replaced." (Biennial Report of the Vermont Forest Service)
1953 - 1954: "Installed new telephone in tower. New telephone line constructed from tower to camp." (Biennial Report of the Vermont Forest Service)
February 15, 1973: Caption under photo of toppled tower: "What happened here? Hikers to Mt. Philo State Park in North Ferrisburg discovered the fire watch tower, fallen from its cement base. It appears the nuts and bolts holding the supports were purposely removed so the tower would topple." (The Burlington Free Press)
Removed