NEW YORK
ALMA HILLAllegany County
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AMPERSAND MOUNTAINFranklin County
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ARAB MOUNTAINSt. Lawrence County
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AZURE MOUNTAINFranklin County
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BALD MOUNTAINLewis County
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BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAINUlster County
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BAY SHORESuffolk County
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BEACON MOUNTAINDutchess County
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BEAR MOUNTAIN (PERKINS MEMORIAL)Orange County
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BEAVER LAKE MOUNTAINHerkimer County
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BEEBE HILLColumbia County
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BELFRY MOUNTAINEssex County
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BELLE AYREUlster County
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BERLIN MOUNTAINRensselaer County
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BERRY HILLChenango County
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BLACK MOUNTAINWashington County
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BLACK ROCK FORESTOrange County
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BLUE MOUNTAINHamilton County
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BOREAS MOUNTAINEssex County
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BOVA MOUNTAINCattaraugus County
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BRAMLEY MOUNTAINDelaware County
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BROOKFIELDMadison County
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BUCK MOUNTAINHamilton County
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CAMP UPTON
Suffolk County
June 5, 1931: "To augment and improve the forest fire fighting service a fire observation tower is to be erected at Camp Upton, east of Yaphank, that will provide an outlook for all of the central portion of the Island. At present there are two towers, one at Seldon and one at Flanders.
According to State Ranger Clarence A. Dare these two towers have been found inadequate because of the vast sweep of scrub oak and woodland and on many days a thick or low hanging clouds obscure fires that have broken out between the towers. With the erection of the Camp Upton tower the State will have a complete chain from Dix Hills to Amagansett, where a new one has been erected, and will be better fitted to immediately spot incipient fires. Observers are kept in the towers from March 13 until November 15. So far this year 200 forest fires have been observed from the towers and prevented from spreading over a great area." (Port Jefferson Echo)
January 29, 1932: "A new forest fire observation tower, built by the State Conservation Department at headquarters hill at Camp Upton, has been completed during the past week. The new tower, which is 70 feet high, is located on one of the highest sites of the island, being more than 200 feet above sea level. It is located where the army cantonment offices stood during the war and is the fifth of a series built in Suffolk County. The others are located at Selden, Flanders and Amagansett. A man will be kept on duty in the new tower from March 15 to November 15 to keep a close watch over the surrounding countryside, where some of the worst fires in the county have occurred." (Suffolk County News)
CASTOR HILLOswego County
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CAT MOUNTAINSt Lawrence County
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CATAMOUNT MOUNTAINSt Lawrence County
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CATHEAD MOUNTAIN
Hamilton County
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c.1912 - 2nd Annual Report of the Conservation Commission
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June 1910: A lookout was established atop a 15 foot tower at a cost of $138.18. (Footnote #1)
CATHEDRAL ROCK
February 17, 1982: "When alumni visit they often remark how they remember building a portion of road (over 10 miles on the property), or trail (over 11 miles), or planting a stand, or thinning another. Thus their education was intertwined with an operating commercial forest, and their sense of accomplishment was real in two ways. The Ranger School course today is more technical and less vocational than it once was, but students still work on trails, roads, recreation areas, thinning and harvesting, and so on. The last few classes have been erecting an old fire tower on Cathedral Rock, not so much for fire detection as for the experience and to provide a recreational view." (Tribune-Press)
CENTRAL ISLIPSuffolk County
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CHAPIN HILL
Sullivan County
August 26, 1923: "Provided the State will keep a man on duty during the forest fire period and will assume all expense, the Board of Supervisors of Sullivan county has agreed to expend $1,500 for the erection of a 60-foot fire tower." (Middletown Daily Herald)
1930: A new cabin for the observer's living quarters was constructed. (#6)
CHENANGO LAKE
Chenango County
CHERRY SPRINGS
CLOCK
Suffolk County
CLOVE MOUNTAIN
Duchess County
COLFAX MOUNTAINWashington County
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CORNELL HILL
Saratoga County
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postcard, n/d - Ron Kemnow collection
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September 22, 1926: "On the Luther estate an opportunity was given to study the state's system of forest fire protection from the Conservation Commission's fire tower on Cornell Hill." (The Courier-Freeman)
June 13, 1930: "Having planted trees at the rate of a million a year for several years on his 10,000-acre estate in Saratoga county, Thomas C. Luther, one of the world's leading individual tree planters, has suspended reforesting operations and will devote this year to perfecting a fire protection and forest pest control system.
Fire lines will be established about the plantations and more than 35 miles of road on the estate will be thoroughly brushed out and widened. A state fire tower at Cornell Hill, which is within the boundaries of the Luther property, will serve as the eyes of the protective system." (Plattsburg Sentinel)
CRANE MOUNTAIN
Warren County
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1937 - New York State Archives
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1918: A 35-foot steel tower was purchased. (8th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
1919: The construction of the tower was completed.
August 23, 1929: "The fire was discovered early yesterday morning on state land by J.H. Adams, fire observer stationed on Crane Mountain. Adams broadcast the alarm and fire rangers, volunteers from nearby towns and crews of several logging camps rushed to the spot where they battled the fire through yesterday and last night under direction of Chief Fire Warden P.J. Cunningham of North Creek. The burned area is on Spruce mountain, more familiarly known to mountain dwellers and tourists as Huckleberry mountain." (The Kingston Daily Freeman)
CROSS RIVERWestchester County
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DAIRY HILL
Herkimer County
January 11, 1934: "A site for a new fire observation station to be known as the Dairy Hill station in the town of Norway is the Herkimer county purchase. This station, when erected, will afford fire protection to the southwestern portion of the Adirondack Park and timber lands lying adjacent thereto. The site includes an area of .81 of an acre, consisting of the site for the tower and a right of way from the public highway." (Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post)
DeBAR MOUNTAIN
Franklin County
1912: The Conservation Commission established a lookout at this point. (#2)
1918: A 35-foot steel tower was purchased and erected. (8th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
1922: A new cabin for the observer's living quarters was constructed. (#5)
July 10, 1928: "While scores were dying of heat prostration in other sections of the state a few days ago, a snow storm raged about about the summit of DeBar Mountain in the Adirondacks. State Fire Observer Forest E. Winters and four mountain climbers saw the storm." (Syracuse Herald)
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN
Rockland County
DICKINSON HILL
Rensselaer County
October 9, 1952: "Mrs. Helen Ellett of Grafton, N.Y., has a lonely vigil.
During seven months of the year, from early Spring until late Fall, the trim, blonde 38-year-old matron dons the olive green uniform of the New York Conservation Department and mans the Dickinson Hill fire tower located in the remote forest area near the Massachusetts state line.
During favorable weather, her husband commutes from the tower site to his job near Troy, about 30 miles distant, but there are many nights she must spend alone in her wilderness retreat. Her 16-year-old daughter, Connie, is her frequent companion when school is closed, but in Spring and Fall Mrs. Ellett's life is a lonely one.
The tower is linked with civilization only by a narrow twisting dirt road. During her long watch each year, Mrs. Ellett reports an average of 60 fires. She has been on the job ten years, and likes it. 'When the long winter is over, I just can't wait to return here to the tower and the quiet, pleasant life it represents for me,' says Mrs. Ellett." (The Brainerd Daily Dispatch) (Minnesota)
1972: The lookout tower was decommissioned and the structures passed along to the State Police for use as a communications facility.
June 17, 2012: After several years of work, the tower was remodeled and re-opened to the public. In 2010 the lookout was acquired from the State Police, the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park provided volunteers that spent many hours on the project. The tower will be a destination for hikers in the park.
DIX HILLSSuffolk County
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DUN BROOK MOUNTAIN
Hamilton County
1913: This station not staffed this season. (#3)
1914: This station not staffed this season. (#4)
1919: The lookout station was abandoned.
ERWIN GAME REFUGE (BEARTOWN HILL)
Stueben County
September 15, 1939: "A new State Conservation Department fire tower on Beartown Hill will give added forest fire protection in this area next year.
Forest Ranger Robert Roche of Painted Post reports CCC enrollees will build the 86-foot steel tower this Fall. The 1,800-foot hill will provide an observation field of about 25 miles." (The Daily Messinger)
FINGERBOARD MOUNTAIN
Orange County
FLANDERS HILL
Suffolk County
1918: "Long Island has suffered severely from forest fires in past years. The need of some means of prompt detection of forest fires became apparent, and sites were chosen for two observation towers. One of these was located on Flanders Hill or South Division Hill, a slight elevation southwest of Riverhead in the eastern part of the Island." (8th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission.)
March 26, 1942: "'Ike" Stivers of the Ever Ready Hose Co. and a valued member of the New York State Conservation fire staff in this section, started working for the 1942 season on Monday of this week. He expects to have a new GMC apparatus with a two-way radio set, by which he can always keep in touch with the fire tower in Flanders (which is under the direction of Ed Downs of East Quogue). This tower is equipped with a two-way radio set also and the tower overlooks from Camp Upton to Shelter Island and can locate a fire very quickly and transmit the message to the proper field fire apparatus via this method, sending the location and other details necessary to the warden. Mr. Stivers asks your cooperation in burning grass, leaves, rubbish or any other combustible material. He says you should call either him or Chief Joseph E. Walsh of the Riverhead Fire Department for a permit to do this under State regulations." (County Review)
April 18, 1946: "Flanders Fire Tower is now open for the season. William Snell, of Aquebogue, is the observer. Mr. Snell is qualified for the job and has had considerable experience in that type of work, having served during the war years as fireman at the Airport." (County Review)
May 23, 1946: "At 12:15 p.m. the Flanders Fire Tower reported what looked like a bad fire east of Sugar Loaf, in Shinnecock Hills, a check up on this by the Southampton Police and the State Fire Crew, showed this to be another dust storm, dust blowing off the potato farm west of the village." (The Long Islander)
October 1959: The state in an effort to cut costs abandoned the lookout services. The title was transferred to Suffolk County for future protection operations.
FORT NOBLE MOUNTAINHerkimer County
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GALLIS HILL
Ulster County
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GEORGETOWN MOUNTAIN
Madison County
GILBERT LAKE
Otsego County
GOMER HILL
Lewis County
July 27, 1927: "E.J. Felt, state forest ranger at Old Forge, announces that a new fire observation tower will be erected on Tug Hill, near Boonville and Lacona. The tower will be of steel and will be 80 feet high. It is also planned this year to build a trail from Inlet to Red river for the convenience of hunters." (Courier-Freeman)
GOODNOW MOUNTAINEssex County
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GORE MOUNTAIN
Warren County
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1910 - See footnote #1
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August 1909: A lookout was established atop a 18 foot tower at a cost of $118.22. (Footnote #1)
1918: A 60-foot steel tower was purchased and erected. (8th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
1920: "The steel tower on Gore Mountain in Warren County was blown down by a hurricane in October, 1919. It was reconstructed this year." (Conservation Commission Annual Report to the Legislature, 1920)
January 11, 1934: "Acquisition of the parcel of 1,861.17 acres acquired for $9,320.85 in the town of Johnsburg, Warren county, includes not only the observation station upon the summit of Gore Mountain, but also carries with it a right of way over the private highway leading to the Barton Mines from the state road at North River, together with the right to maintain a telephone line from the commercial telephone line in the Hudson River valley to the fire observation station. The Gore Mountain station is one of the more important stations in the lower Adirondacks and is visited annually by many mountain climbers because of the fire view from the summit." (Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post)
GRAHAM MOUNTAIN
Orange County
HADLEY MOUNTAINSaratoga County
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HAMILTON MOUNTAIN
Hamilton County
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1910 - See footnote #1
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October 1909: A lookout on an 18 foot tower was established on this point at a cost of $694.51. (Footnote #1)
January 5, 1977: "In an effort to restore the wilderness areas to what they were before man first set foot there, the department has removed boat docks at some lakes, closed Jeep and truck trails, removed lean-tos at high elevations and torn down a 50-foot fire tower atop Hamilton Mountain.
Peter A.A. Berle, commissioner of environmental conservation, said seven more towers will be leveled this year as unneeded. Aerial surveilance has replaced fire towers as a means of detecting fire." (Berkshire Eagle - Mass.)
Peter A.A. Berle, commissioner of environmental conservation, said seven more towers will be leveled this year as unneeded. Aerial surveilance has replaced fire towers as a means of detecting fire." (Berkshire Eagle - Mass.)
HARTZFELT MOUNTAINROCK CITY HILL)Cattaraugus County
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HIGH POINTUlster County
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HOOKER HILL
Otsego County
HUNTER MOUNTAIN
Greene County
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1910 - See footnote #1
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1937 - New York State Archives
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November 1998 - Daniel Case photo (CC)
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2005 - Warren Johnsen photo
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August 1909: A lookout was established atop a 40 foot tower on this point at a cost of $225.21. (Footnote #1)
1917: A 60-foot steel tower was erected. (7th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
June 12, 1958: "A rescue team battled rugged mountain terrain Wednesday to bring a 68-year-old fire observer down from the mountain station in which he had been stricken ill.
The jeep-borne rescue party ran into snow at upper levels of 4,000-foot Hunter Mountain in taking Morton Francis down. The 3 1/2-mile trip took two hours." (The Post-Standard)
June 14, 1958: "Morton Francis, 68, of Catskill, a fire observer who was brought down from his isolated mountain station by a rescue team that battled snow drifts, died yesterday.
Mr. Francis had been stricken while on duty in a tower atop 4,000-foot Hunter Mountain. A jeep-bourne rescue party took him from the station to Greene County Memorial Hospital where he died. Hospital officials said the apparent cause of death was a virus infection, but an autopsy was ordered." (The Times Record)
HURRICANE MOUNTAINEssex County
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INGRAHAM HILL
Broome County
June 11, 1950: "Plans for a fire watch tower on Ingraham Hill, town of Binghamton, have been temporarily halted.
State Conservation agents are conferring with engineers and directors of Radio Station WNBF in Binghamton to determine whether the firetower operation would interfere with the operation of WNBF's radio and television transmission. The radio and TV towers of the station are located on Ingraham Hill.
In the event that it is deemed possible that trouble would result, conservation officials will build the fire tower in the area but on a different site.
District Forest Ranger Charles Baker of Norwich, who is in charge of operations in Broome, Chenango and Madison Counties, has indicated that the tower will be erected in the Town of Binghamton. He added that 50 per cent of brush fire in the three-county area are within a 10 mile radius of Binghamton.
The fire tower was scheduled to open this month." (Syracuse Herald-American)
JACKIE JONES
Rockland County
JERSEY HILL (WEST ALMOND)Allegany County
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KANE MOUNTAINFulton County
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KEMPSHALL MOUNTAINHamilton County
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KINGS PARK
Suffolk County
June 8, 1945: "The Long Island State Park Commission announces that improvements will be made by the Conservation Department in the facilities for the prevention, detection and control of forest and brush fires in Long Island. These improvements were decided on after a recent inspection.
The proposed improvements include a new fire tower to be erected at Sunken Meadow State Park." (Suffolk County News)
July 23, 1959: "Thomas Nugent of East Northport, one of Long Island's seven Forest Rangers completes in several months his 30th year as a Ranger for the New York State Conservation Department. The 65-year-old native of Huntington smiled when asked if he planned to retire this fall and said, 'I'm going to work as long as I can.'
Mr. Nugent, whose career as a Long Island Forest Ranger dates back to March, 1929, told the Long-Islander that while the state feels the forests of Long Island have been taken over by home development the Fire Range Towers and Service on Long Island will not be discontinued. He explained that the Conservation Department might turn over the towers to County administration.
'Tom' has been stationed since 1947 at the Kings Park tower off Sunken Meadow State Pkwy. Previously he was in Dix Hills." (Long Islander)
October 1959: In an effort to cut costs the state abandoned the lookout services. The title was transferred to Suffolk County for future operations.
LEONARD HILL
Schoharie County
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early 2000's - Warren Johnsen photo
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LOON LAKE MOUNTAINFranklin County
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MAKOMAS MOUNTAIN
Essex County
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c.1912 - 2nd Annual Report of the Conservation Commission
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MANETTO HILL
Nassau County
May 19, 1922: "Robert Schwarsenbach is just completing on the highest spot of Manetto Hill a fire observation tower, to serve primarily as a watch tower for forest fires in the South Woods district. Although Mr. Schwarsenbach will be glad to have his neighbors enjoy the view from this tower, he feels that an unrestricted access in his woods would bring with it serious dangers, as was shown by a forest fire here last Sunday, which was apparently started by a lighted match or cigarette dropped by a careless visitor. He has therefore decided that to go through the woods of Manetto Hill Farm, visitors will be required to get a permit at the poultryman's cottage, which permit is to be handed over to the watchman at the tower. Members of the South Woods Nature Club will have access by showing their membership card.
These permits do not entitle one to admission to the grounds near the house and the reservoir, which are marked as 'private.' Everyone is requested to be very careful not to smoke, not to pick the wild flowers, and not to start campfires. Do not leave papers and bottles around, and you will be welcome another time.
H.E. VAN GELDER, Superintendent " (Long Islander)
McCARTY HILL
Cattaraugus County
May 15, 1940: "Work is under way on a new fire observation tower on McCarty Hill, between Mutton Hollow and Whig Street, overlooking wide forest tracks from Little Valley and Elliottville to Allegany State Park, south of Salamanca.
Ground was broken Monday by workers from the Hungry Hollow CCC camp for the concrete piers for the steel tower. The tower will be eighty-two and a half feet high, with a glassed-in observation cabin at its top.
Construction of the tower is expected to be complete early in the summer, when a ranger from the State Conservation Department will be assigned to the location to watch for fires in the surrounding forests. A cabin for the observer will be built by the CCC near the base of the tower.
The new tower is close to the highway constructed by the CCC from Mutton Hollow to Whig Street, north of the city." (Olean Times Herald)
Ground was broken Monday by workers from the Hungry Hollow CCC camp for the concrete piers for the steel tower. The tower will be eighty-two and a half feet high, with a glassed-in observation cabin at its top.
Construction of the tower is expected to be complete early in the summer, when a ranger from the State Conservation Department will be assigned to the location to watch for fires in the surrounding forests. A cabin for the observer will be built by the CCC near the base of the tower.
The new tower is close to the highway constructed by the CCC from Mutton Hollow to Whig Street, north of the city." (Olean Times Herald)
November 1, 1940: "During the remainder of hunting season, certain areas near Company 246, CCC Camp S-106, near Salamanca, will posted to hunters while CCC workers are working in those areas, according to the company commander.
These areas are posted:
1. Along the Rock City Truck trail near the camp.
2. Along the Mutton Hollow Truck trail from the site of the new fire tower on McCarty Hill to about one mile from Great Valley.
3. From CCC Camp to McCarty Hill along the new Irish Hill truck trail." (Olean Times Herald)
MEENAHGA MOUNTAIN
Franklin County
MOHONK MOUNTAIN
Ulster County
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postcard n/d - Ron Kemnow Collection
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1912: The Conservation Commission established a lookout station at this point. (#2)
August 31, 1923: "The Albert K. Smiley Memorial tower on Sky Top at Lake Mohonk was dedicated at 11 o'clock Thursday morning with appropriate ceremony in the presence of about three hundred of the guests at the famous summer resort.
The tower, which was constructed as a memorial to the founder of the famous summer resort by guests at the Lake Mohonk House, was presented by Charles F. Miller of Lancaster, Penna., chairman of the committee in charge of the memorial, and was accepted by Daniel Smiley of Lake Mohonk House. The principal address was delivered by President Faunce of Grand University, Providence, R.I.
The tower, which is of stone construction, is 65 feet in height and can be easily seen throughout the Rondout creek valley, and from the high points in Kingston. It is square in construction and a massive structure, each face being thirty feet in width.
While the tower was erected by the guests at Lake Mohonk as a memorial to Mr. Smiley it will also be used by the state conservation commission for the fire warden as it commands a magnificent view of the Shawangunk Mountain." (The Kingston Daily Freeman)
July 25, 1924: "Mr. And Mrs. A.C. Clarke and Mr. And Mrs. L.O. DePuy motored to Lake Mohonk Wednesday. While there theysaw Nathan Osborne, well known in this place, and who has charge of the fire tower there for the state conservation commission." (Catskill Mountain News)
September 23, 1924: "State Forest Ranger Osborne, who is stationed at the Conservation Commissioners' observation tower on Sky Top, near Lake Mohonk, reports that 11,200 visitors' have registered at the Albert K. Smiley memorial tower, where the fire observation station is located. According to the records of the Albany office of the commission, this is the largest number of visitors recorded at any station in the state." (The Kingston Daily Freeman)
December 12, 1924: "14,000 visitors at Mohonk tower. N.R. Osborne close Sky Top after entertaining numerous tourists.
N.R. Osborne, well known in this village, closed his lookout station near Lake Mohonk recently and with Mrs. Osborne has taken up residence in Kingston. Mr. Osborne is stationed in the Albert K. Smiley memorial Tower on the Smiley estate. This tower is built of stone in imitation of an Irish Castle and cost $50,000. Mr. Osborne's office is at the very top, enclosed in plate glass imported from England. There is a brilliant electric light in the dome which shows for many miles, as the tower is built on Sky Top, a high mountain peak which over looks three valleys: Hudson, Mohonk and Wallkill. 14,000 people have registered at the tower this summer, including tourists from all over the world, England, Ireland, Wales, China, South Africa, etc., for Mohonk Lake is considered the second most beautiful place in the United States. Besides the beautiful buildings and grounds there is a forest of seven thousand acres. A bridle path of 65 miles over the mountain is traveled by people on horse back. There has been thirty-six fires reported from Sky Top Tower this summer, only one being on the Smiley estate." (Catskill Mountain News)
MOOSE RIVER
Lewis County
1912: The Conservation Commission established a lookout station at this point. (#2)
1919: "The location of the Moose River Mountain Station has been changed from its old location on the highway from McKeever to Port Leyden to a hill between Fulton Chain and Big Otter Lake, from which a far better view is obtainable." (9th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
MOOSE RIVER MOUNTAIN
Herkimer County
1919: See Moose River for 1919.
MOOSEHEAD MOUNTAINSt Lawrence County
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MORGAN HILL
Cortland County
MOUNT ADAMSEssex County
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MOUNT ELECTRA
Herkimer County
MOUNT IRVINE
Cattaraugus County
MOUNT MORRISFranklin County
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MOUNT TREMPERUlster County
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MOUNT TUSCARORA
Cattaraugus County
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Postcard, p/m-1944 - Ron Kemnow Collection
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NELSON MOUNTAIN
Westchester County
NEW BOSTON
Lewis County
NINHAM MOUNTAIN
Putnam County
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November 2011 - Creative Commons, Jonathan Larocca
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NUMBER FOURLewis County
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NUMBER SEVEN HILL
Rensselaer County
1922: "During the winter of 1921-1922 a suitable observation station site to cover the bulk of the forest and woodland in Rensselaer County was selected on Number Seven Hill, just north of the village of West Stephentown. The commission brought to the attention of the board of supervisors of Rensselaer County the advantages of such a station and urged that the fourteen towns of the county contribute $100 each to defray the expense of putting in a standard tower and telephone line.
Twelve of the fourteen towns responded by voting the requested contribution. The Towns of Sand Lake and Schaghticoke have so far refused to co-operate as towns, although influential citizens of Sand Lake have agreed to raise by personal subscription the contribution due from their town.
The telephone line to Number Seven Hill has been built; a sixty-foot observation tower has been purchased and erected. In the meantime, on account of the exceptional dry weather during the fall, a temporary observatory was prepared and an observer placed on duty." (#5)
OAKDALESuffolk County
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OHMER MOUNTAINSaratoga County
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OVERLOOK MOUNTAINUlster County
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OWLSHEAD MOUNTAINHamilton County
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PADLOCK HILL
PAGE POND
Broom County
PALMER HILL
Clinton County
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1930 - 20th Annual Report of the Conservation Department
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October 2, 1930: "Albert Tebeau of Owl's Head, in charge of construction of watchtowers, for fire rangers under the state conservation commission, is supervising the erection of a sixty-foot cast steel tower on Palmer Hill, and will in the near future perform the same duty in connection with the erection of a twenty-five foot tower at the top of Whiteface Mountain." (Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post)
1930: The tower erected at Palmer Hill is to supplement the Whiteface Mountain tower. It is located in an area where early spring and late fall fires are of frequent occurrence, and because of inability to operate Whiteface Mountain tower during these periods, the fires were frequently of large area before being reported by a more remote tower. Inasmuch as this tower is to be in use during periods of the spring and fall when the Whiteface Tower is closed, one observer will be sufficient to operate the two stations." (#6)
?? ??, 1966: "William Nolan has resumed his duties as forest fire observer. Now that Bill is atop Palmer Hill every day at the Conservation Department tower, perhaps he will be seeing some of those unidentified flying objects that so many people have been reporting of late in various parts of the country." (The Adirondack Record)
September 19, 1968: "William Nolan, State Forest Ranger, who mans the Palmer Hill observation tower, has returned home from Keene Valley Hospital where he was confined for several days following an attack of pneumonia. Mr. Nolan has recovered, his many friends will be pleased to learn." (The Record-Post)
October 16, 1969: "William Henry Nolan, 65, died Saturday at the Keene Valley Hospital. He was born Aug. 30, 1904, the son of John and Margaret Dockum Nolan.
He was a forest fire observer at Palmer Hill tower for 24 years." (The Record-Post)
PENN MOUNTAIN
Oneida County
August 9, 1964: "Two rangers and about six conservation personnel stayed in the area overnight, to continue efforts to stop the fire. Rain between 2 and 3 a.m. Saturday helped bring the fire under control.
Origin of the blaze was as yet undetermined. It was discovered by Robert Morrison, an observer at the Penn Mountain fire tower." (The Post-Standard)
PETERSBURG MOUNTAINSchoharie County
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PILLSBURY MOUNTAIN
Hamilton County
1918: "Steps were taken to establish a secondary observation station on Pillsbury Mt., near West Canada Lakes, in cooperation with the Champlain Realty Co. This station will be manned during periods of extreme dry weather when necessary." (8th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
January 3, 1924: "In District Ranger Roberts' territory the steel for a new observation tower for Pillsbury mountain has arrived and will be erected and in use during the coming season. This tower is a very important addition to the Conservation Commission's observation stations, as it covers a very wild, remote section of valuable timber land." (Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post)
November 2, 1983: "There are two issues dealing with Pillsbury Mountain, located in the southern portion of the Perkins Clearing acquisition, that must be addressed in addition to the issue of road and float plane access. First, wilderness designation of Perkins Clearing would require removal of the Pillsbury Mountain fire tower; and, second, it would preclude future use of Pillsbury Mountain for a communications relay facility, if constructed, would improve radio communication into the West Canada Lake Wilderness and accelerate the removal of existing non-conforming telephone lines.
Although these issues may not outweigh the importance of a wilderness designation, some may well disagree. An easy and manageable alternative exists -- designate approximately 250 acres on the south slopes and peak of Pillsbury Mountain as Wild Forest and the remainder of the area as Wilderness." (Tribune-Press)
PINE CREEK
Cattaraugus County
PHARAOH MOUNTAIN
Essex County
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1910 - See footnote #1
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April 1910: A lookout was established on this point at a cost of $269.42. (Footnote #1)
1918: A 35-foot steel tower was purchased and erected. (8th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
June 22, 1989: "An Adirondack Park Agency plan calls for all man made structures to be removed from any designated Wilderness Area this year. The lookout tower on Pharaoh Mountain in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area would be affected.
Town of Schroon Supervisor John Kelly said two state legislators had introduced bills in both houses to keep access roads open and to save the fire tower. But it was not enough, he said." (Plattsburg Press-Republican)
March 17, 1992: "The plan also calls for the removal of the observer's cabin and inactive steel fire tower erected in 1917 on Pharaoh Mountain. But first, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation must be consulted to address historic questions.
Unknown vandals cut two legs of the tower in the fall of 1990. DEC repaired the damage, and local-rights activists in the Adirondack Solidarity Alliance also say they took a helicopter to the top of Pharaoh Mountain in November 1990 to attach steel cables to keep it in place. They wanted the structure designated historic and kept in place, and to make the fire tower a symbol of the resistance of the Adirondack people." (Press-Republican)
September 19, 1992: "Department of Environmental Conservation crews removed the remains of the Pharaoh Mountain Fire Tower this week, and a reward to catch the vandals responsible for its toppling reached the $2,000 mark.
DEC personnel collected the debris from the 35-foot-tall steel tower and bundled it up for airlift by helicopter, according to Tom Wahl, region 5 forestry manager.
The observer's cabin and outbuildings were also disassembled and removed, Wahl said. The cabin had been vandalized several times and a shed and outhouse were falling apart, he added. All of the structures were taken out for the safety of hikers, Wahl said." (Press-Republican)
POCATELLO MOUNTAINOrange County
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POKE-O-MOONSHINE MTNEssex County
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PRATTSBURG MOUNTAIN
Stueben County
PROSPECT MOUNTAIN
Warren County
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undated postcard - Ron Kemnow Collection
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July 1910: A lookout was established atop a 35 foot tower on this point at a cost of $107.16. (Footnote #1)
1932: "Prospect Mountain tower was a necessary replacement of a former building, the top of which has served as a lookout for many years." Also a new cabin was constructed for the observer's living quarters. (#7)
July 25, 1940: "C.C.C. youths this weekend began sinking holes for poles for a new state telephone line from the village to the summit of Prospect mountain to connect the fire tower with the U.S. Army air defense command in Watertown, preparatory to the army maneuvers." (Plattsburgh Daily Press)
March 26, 1953: "Governor Dewey's approval of the bill would climax more than 20 years of efforts by Lake George and vicinity groups and individuals to have a road built up Prospect Mountain, from the top of which there is an unsurpassed view of the lake and Adirondack Mountains. Some 2,000 persons a year climb the mountain on foot to enjoy the view.
The State Conservation Department has a fire observation tower at the summit of the 2,200-foot mountain. It stands near the point where, more than 50 years ago, there was a thriving hotel, reached by horse and buggy over a rough and steep mountain road or by cable car up an incline railroad." (Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post)
RED HILLUlster County
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RED HOUSE
Cattaraugus County
ROCK MOUNTAIN
Lewis County
ROCK RIFT
Delaware County
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no date - Warren Johnsen photo
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April 7, 1966: "An access easement, 33 feet in width, was acquired in the town of Tompkins to reach the Rock Rift fire tower. This easement was acquired as a gift from Mr. George Huntington and extends from route 10, across Mr. Huntington's lands to the tower." (Catskill Mountain News)
RONDAXE MOUNTAIN
Herkimer County
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1930 - 20th Annual Report of the Conservation Department
postcard n/d - Ron Kemnow Collection
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postcard n/d - Ron Kemnow Collection
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1912: The Conservation Commission established a lookout station. (#2)
1917: A 35-foot steel tower was erected. (7th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
April 27, 1936: "Miss Harriet Rega, New York State's only woman fire observer, ascended Bald Mountain today to begin her 11th year of guarding the Central Adirondack forest. Miss Rega will spend six months in her tower.
Formerly of Rochester, she came to the Adirondacks in 1920 to escape from hay fever." (Syracuse Herald)
ROOSA GAP
Sullivan County
SALAMANCA
Cattaraugus County
October 21, 1938: "While forest fires threaten throughout the woods of the state, workmen from the water and light department daily are utilizing a 40-foot fire tower just completed this week to guard a thousand acres of woodlands owned by the city from fire damage.
Perched high on a ridge north of the city, the new steel tower overlooks the entire watershed of the city reservoir system. Planting on the watershed was completed this year, rounding out a 26-year program of land acquisition and reforestation. Now the city owns the complete watershed, a tract of 1,026 acres, all of which is planted with trees.
Determined to prevent devastation of this forest by fire, the department this year erected the fire tower and installed a telephone line from the tower to the city telephone system, with three stations set up in the watershed for reporting fires.
The precautions to guard the area against forest fires have been taken, Mr. Weagraff explained, because the city now possesses in this wooded area a source of potential income as well as a source of potential income as well as protection for its supply of drinking water." (Salamanca Republican-Press)
SALMON LAKE MOUNTAIN
Hamilton County
SAND HILL
St Lawrence County
SCIENCE HILL
Cattaraugus County
SLIDE MOUNTAINUlster County
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SNOWY MOUNTAINHamilton County
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SPRUCE MOUNTAINSaratoga County
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ST. REGIS MOUNTAINFranklin County
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STERLING MOUNTAINOrange County
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STILLWATER MOUNTAINHerkimer County
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STISSING MOUNTAINDelaware County
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STONEY HILL
Suffolk County
October 1959: In a cost cutting effort the State abandoned the lookout services. A transfer of title was made to Suffolk County, so that future protection could be handled by the county.
SUGAR HILL
Schuyler County
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postcard n/d - Ron Kemnow Collection
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early 2000's - Warren Johnsen photo
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SUMMIT HILL
Cattaraugus County
1926: The Allegany State Park Commission erected a 60-foot Aermotor tower as a part of their fire protection system.
August 31, 1933: "Mr. Ritt announces that the Conservation Corps men will install a new telephone line from the fire tower at Summit Camp to the tie-in at Red House. It is planned to build the line far enough from the road so that it will not be visible to tourists passing through the park." (Salamanca Republican-Press)
September 23, 1933: "Considerable progress is reported on the projects which members of Camp 33 of the Civilian Conservation Corps, near Point Summit in Allegany State Park, have been carrying on in the park.
A new coat of paint has been given the fire tower at the summit. The tower was painted an aluminum color, which is said to blend artistically into the background of clouds. (Salamanca Republican-Press)
April 7, 1942: "Harry Gray of Broad street, fire observer in Allegany state park, today took up his six-month vigil in the summit tower between Salamanca and Big Red House. He will live in a nearby cabin, according to Oscar Lindberg, chief park ranger.
Mr. Gray is responsible both to the park commission and the state conservation department, Mr. Lindberg said.
Up to now there have been only two days dry enough to cause anxiety this year lest forest fires break out, Mr. Lindberg said. There have been a few small brush fires in the park, but nothing that might be called a forest fire so far, the ranger said." (Salamanca Republican-Press)
SWANCOTT HILL
Lewis County
SWEDE MOUNTAIN
Warren County
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early 2000's - Warren Johnsen photo
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1912: The Conservation Commission established a lookout station at this point. (#2)
1918: A 47-foot steel tower was purchased and erected. (8th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
T LAKE MOUNTAINHamilton County
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TELESCOPE HILL (SELDEN)Suffolk County
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1918 - New York State Archives
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December 28, 1918: "The erection of a forest fire lookout tower a mile south of Seldon post office on one of the highest spots in the range of wooded hills running east and west through the center of the Island has recently been completed by the Conservation Commission. It is expected that it will be put to use in the early spring, the fall period of fire menace being too far spent to warrant its use now.
This plan for preventing the spread of fires, which has long been in successful use in the mountains upstate, is entirely novel on Long Island. The tower, a steel structure sixty-nine feet high bedded in concrete, is over 300 feet above sea level at the base, and from it one can see the ocean, the Great South Bay and almost every acre of the flat land between the bay and the ridge, while to the north the tops of a number of other hills and much of the lowland between can be seen, and in the distance the hills of Connecticut. Long Island Sound is out of view by the ridge along North Shore. There is also a fine view to the east and west.
This hill which is part of the Woodbury property, on the crest of the terminal where ages ago the great ice sheet deposited an interesting collection of boulders supposed to have been pushed down from the Adirondacks and New England sections. An observer from the lookout, provided with field glasses and map, and connected with the country below by telephone, can quickly locate any serious fire and notify the fire wardens.
The material for the tower, of which the steel parts weigh five tons, was railroaded to Holtsville during the summer and carted by team up to the hilltop, where for some reason it lay for a long time before erected." (Port Jefferson Echo)
April 12, 1919: "A wonderful scenic view of Long Island can be had from the top of the forest fire lookout tower erected last fall by the New York State Conservation Commission on the highest point on the island, between Selden and Holtsville.
This inspiring vista is not, however, for those who take all their scenic enjoyment from the comfortable seats of their automobiles. One must have legs to get to this summit of Long Island, though the hike is not a hard one, and the traveler can get within easy walking distance of the spot in his car. The tower rises 69 feet over a hilltop, which is 333 feet above sea level, and thew first of the eight flights of stairs carry one well above the surrounding treetops.
The structure, which is of steel, is firm enough, but the constant wind singing through it, coupled with its height, have a rather nerve-trying effect on the climber at first. However, the top deck is closed in and glassed, and there one can study the panorama in comfort. Stretching out for some miles on all sides is the dense pine and oak forest, with here and there a farmhouse or a village peeping out." (Port Jefferson Echo)
October 1959: The State in a cost cutting measure abandoned the lookout services. A transfer of title to Suffolk County was arranged for future protection.
TOMANY MOUNTAIN
Hamilton County
1912: The Conservation Commission established a lookout station at this point. (#2)
1913: This station not staffed this season. (#3)
TOOLEY POND MOUNTAIN
St Lawrence County
1913: This lookout station not staffed this season. (#3)
1913: "One new mountain station has been constructed during the year, at Tooley Pond Mountain, near New Bridge, in the southern part of St. Lawrence county. This station overlooks a large area of timber land in the western foothills of the Adirondacks. The expense of the material for the tower, cabin and lines was borne by the R.W. Higbie Lumber Company." (#3)
1919: A steel tower was erected. (9th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
TWADELL POINT
Delaware County
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1910 - See footnote #1
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March 25, 1910: "Emery Jenkins was at East Branch on Monday looking over a suitable location for one of the Catskill fire towers to be placed on a high point in that section the coming spring." (Catskill Mountain News)
May 1910: A lookout was established atop a 45 foot tower at a cost of $307.70. (Footnote #1)
1919: A steel tower was erected. (9th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
July 12, 1924: "Those who think the life of a fire tower watchman must be lonely and humdrum should read the following record of the activities of Alfred Waterman, the fire tower watchman here.
To date this season Mr. Waterman has registered 182 visitors, this being 53 more than at the same time last year. He has reported 12 fires so far and since May 15 he has killed 59 porcupines." (The Kingston Daily Freeman)
UTSAYANTHA MOUNTAINDelaware County
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VANDERWACKER MOUNTAIN
Essex County
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1930's - New York State Archives
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1918: A 35-foot steel tower was purchased and erected, also a new cabin was constructed for the use of the observer, as the old camp had become unfit for further use. (8th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
1921: A new observers cabin was constructed. (Annual Report of the Conversation Commission)
WAKELEY MOUNTAIN
Hamilton County
1930: A self-supporting stairway has replaced the original outside ladder. (#6)
January 21, 1960: "A 1,200 acre tract of scenic Adirondack timberland was donated as a recreational area to the people of New York State by International Paper Company and Finch, Pruyn and Company, Inc. in ceremonies at Albany, New York last night.
The tract is considered one of the finest examples of rugged Adirondack terrain in New York. It is atop Wakeley Mountain, a 3600-foot peak near the town of Indian Lake in Hamilton County, and adjoins existing lands already held by the state in the Adirondack Preserve. The property includes the site of the Wakeley Mountain fire tower previously provided by the companies for the protection of the Adirondack forests." (The Massena Observer)
WASHBURN MOUNTAIN
Columbia County
WEST MOUNTAIN
Hamilton County
July 1909: A lookout on a 12 foot tower was established at a cost of $1,064.44. (Footnote #1)
1920: A steel tower was erected. (9th Annual Report of the Conservation Commission)
WHITE HILL
St Lawrence County
April 27, 1950: "Following on the wave of the first warm spell which dried out grass and underbrush resulting in numerous small fires, observers at mountain fire towers in the area have taken over their posts for the season, according to Clarence Petty, Potsdam, district forest ranger.
The conservation department plans a new fire tower and observer's cabin on White Hill above Parishville, which is the highest point in the town of Parishville. Land has been leased on the Nurney farm and construction will begin in June. The tower will be 100 feet high and will not be used this year unless the fall season is exceptionally dry." (Potsdam Herald)
July 13, 1950: "The fire observation tower on White Hill now being built is under the supervision of Clarence Petty the second highest conservation authority in the county. A cottage for the man in charge will be erected, also a ninety foot observation tower for discovering forest fires. Among the workmen employed are Clayton Gosselin and Carl Smith. Some of the work is being held up for lack of steel for the tower. The view from its top when completed will be 'out of this world.'" (Potsdam Herald)
May 24, 1951: "The lookout observatory which has been constructed on White Hill the past year has been completed. Harold Hillard of Nicholville is on duty at the tower at present." (Courier-Freeman)
WHITEFACE MOUNTAINEssex County
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WOODHULL MOUNTAINHerkimer County
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Other Web Pages of Interest
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FOOTNOTES:
#1 - Sixteenth Annual Report of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission - 1910
#1 - Sixteenth Annual Report of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission - 1910
#2 - Second Annual Report of the Conservation Commission - 1912
#3 - Third Annual Report of the Conservation Commission - 1913
#4 - Fourth Annual Report of the Conservation Commission - 1914
#5 - Twelfth Annual Report of the Conservation Commission - 1922
#6 - Twentieth Annual Report of the Conservation Department - 1930
#7 - Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Conservation Department - 1932
#8 - Twenty-Ninth Annual Report of the Conservation Department - 1939
September 12, 1923: "Forests in the hills south of Olean will be protected from fire by an observation tower that will be built at Flatiron Rock, the highest point in this part. It will be the only tower in the state outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills." (Cattaraugus Republican)
