Bald (Rondaxe) Mt. Fire Tower

Location: North of State Rt. 28, 3 1/2 miles northeast of Old Forge.
Status: Remains and has been restored by the Friends of Bald (Rondaxe) Mt.

The first structure on Bald (Rondaxe) Mt. was a wooden tower erected by Conservation Commission in 1912. It's believed that the State arbitrarily named the mountain "Rondaxe" after a nearby lake to prevent any confusion between this and the Bald Mt. in Lewis County, only 23 miles to the northwest. So one might conclude that this site is the Rondaxe Fire Observation Station on Bald Mt. The wooden tower was replaced with a 35' Aermotor LS40 tower in 1917.

This tower was closed in 1990 and was reputedly the last operating fire towers in New York State. It now appears on the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places, being added to the latter on September 23, 2001.

Harriet Rega, pictured to the left, was the first women observer hired by the State and Nehasane Park to serve on Mt. Electra from 1924 to 1930. She later served on Bald (Rondaxe) from 1933 to 1936.

The group, The Friends of Bald Mountain, was formed about 2002 and has since restored the tower to its original condition. The "Re-opening Dedication" was June 18, 2005. For detailed information about their work, visit their site by clicking here.

The Friends of Bald Mountain recently signed a formal 5-year. commitment "Adopt-A-Natural-Resource" agreement with the DEC. In addition to restoring the tower, the committee plans to work with local DEC personnel on trail maintenance, improve signege, and an educational component that teaches good conservation practices including fire prevention.

Bald (Rondaxe) Mt. is one of the mountains included in the Fire Tower Challenge sponsored by the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). "To complete the Challenge and receive the official full-color patch, hikers must climb and document, by date, ascents of at least 23 fire tower summits: 18 of the 23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

Beaver Lake Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 4 miles northeast of the Hamlet of Number Four.
Status: Removed.

When this observation station was established in July 1910, no tower was immediately erected due to the lack of tree cover on the mountaintop.

The first structure on Beaver Lake Mt was a wooden tower constructed by the Conservation Commission on the lands of the Fisher Forestry and Reality Co. about 1915. In 1919, a 47' Aermotor LS40 tower was purchased and erected it on the site in 1920.

Pictured here is Forest Fire Observer Frank Bailey and his wife Tess who served on Beaver Lake Mt. from 1918 through 1921 and from 1928 to 1939.

The tower was designated as a "secondary tower" in 1941 and operated for only part of the year. It was operated for only a brief time in 1942 reporting only 2 fires and no visitors. It was officially closed in 1947.

This structure was removed in 1977 because it was deemed excess to the fire detection needs of the Bureau of Forest Fire Control and additionally was classified as a "non-conforming structure" in the newly established Pepperbox Wilderness Area.

Dairy Hill Fire Tower

Location: 5 miles east of the Village of Newport.
Status: Removed in 1991.

The structure on Dairy Hill was a 79' 6" International Derrick tower provided to New York State by the US Forest Service and erected by the CCC's in 1934. This tower was first staffed in 1935 reporting 6 fires and 568 visitors.

The tower was closed in 1986 and both the tower and cabin were later removed because of extreme vandalism at the site.

               Photo courtesy of Paul Hartmann                                                                                                                    Photo courtesy of Paul Hartmann

Ft. Noble Mt. Fire Tower

Location: North of State Rt. 8 at Nobleboro on the Herkimer - Hamilton County line.
Status: Removed.

The first structure on Ft. Noble Mt. was a 30' wooden tower constructed by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in July 1910. In 1916 the Conservation Commission replaced it with a 50' Aermotor LL25 tower.

It was of a lighter weight than their 1917 design and had no stairs but only a ladder up the exterior for the purpose of ingress and egress. Wooden steps were added within the structure to ease access for both the Observer and the general public in 1918 or 1919. (Click here) for a news article describing these early design of towers.

The 1950's vintage picture to the right shows a horizontal pole with wires attached. This was the antenna for the AM two-way radio system.

The tower was closed in 1978. This structure was later removed because it was deemed excess to the fire detection needs of the Bureau of Forest Fire Control and additionally was classified as a "non-conforming use" in the Ft. Noble Primitive Area.

Once the tower was removed, it paved the way for changing the land classification to Wilderness.

Moose River Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 2 miles west of Thendara in the Ha-de-ron-dah Wilderness Area.
Status: Removed in 1977.

The first and only structure at this site was a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower purchased and erected by the Conservation Commission in 1919. It replaced a wooden tower that operated for eight years at a site in the Town of Lyonsdale, Lewis County some eleven miles to the southwest. This site offered "a far better view" than the former according to the Conservation Commission. It's believed that the naming of the mountain came with the moving of the tower.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season.

This structure was removed in 1977 because it was deemed excess to the fire detection needs of the Bureau of Forest Fire Control and additionally was classified as a "non-conforming use" in the newly established Ha-de-ron-dah Wilderness Area.

Mt. Electra Fire Tower

Location: 4 miles north of the easterly end of the Stillwater Reservoir.
Status: Dismantled and left at the site.

Mt. Electra was a privately owned tower that cooperated with the Conservation Department towers during periods of high fire danger.

The structure on Mt. Electra, previously known as Rock Lake Mt, was a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Webb Estate about 1920. The actual date of construction cannot be verified. This served as a "secondary tower" and it is suspected that the landowner provided an observer during periods of dry weather.

Further research by Marty Podskoch revealed that the State and Webb family had an understanding where by the State would share in the cost of paying the observer but the Webb family would do the hiring. In one instance in 1942, Department records show that the observer, Francis Boone's salary was paid at least partially by the State of New York. Francis Boone was the sister of Forester Charlie Boone who would become the Supt. of the Bureau of Forest Fire Control in the early 1970's.

Stillwater Mt. Fire Tower

Location: West of the Stillwater Reservoir.
Status: Remains on private land and is closed to the public.

The first structure on Stillwater was a wooden tower erected by the Conservation Commission in 1912. In 1919 it was replaced with a 47' Aermotor LS40 tower that was purchased the previous year.

The tower ceased operation at the end of the 1988 season. The tower was officially closed in early 1989 when the Department of Environmental Conservation determined that towers were no longer effective and decided to phase them out of service. The tower still remains on the lands of International Paper Company but is closed to the public.

A group has formed and is in the early stages of rehabilitating both the trail and the tower. Once the work is completed the tower will be available to the public from the spring until the fall of each year.

Woodhull Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 6 miles south of Old Forge.
Status: Remains and is open to the public except for the tower cab.

The first structure on Woodhull Mt. was a wooden tower constructed by the Conservation Commission in September 1911. In 1916 the Conservation Commission purchased and constructed a 50' Aermotor LL25 tower. It was of a lighter weight than their 1917 design and had no stairs but only a galvanized steel rung ladder up the exterior for the purpose of ingress and egress. (Click here to view a news article)

A wooden ladder was later added to the outside of the tower to make it somewhat safer for the observer and the public to gain access to the cab. In both vintage pictures below, you can see this wooden ladder and the safety cage enclosing it, also made of wood.

A self-supporting staircase was developed by Aermotor, for installation in the towers purchased in 1916. This staircase amounted to a tower within a tower and was anchored to the original tower. These were purchased to replace the wooden stairs currently in use and were installed in this tower in 1936.

The tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season when the DEC instituted a system of aerial wildfire detection. This tower still remains and is accessible to the public all but the tower cab.

Woodhull Mt. is one of the mountains included in the Fire Tower Challenge sponsored by the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). "To complete the Challenge and receive the official full-color patch, hikers must climb and document, by date, ascents of at least 23 fire tower summits: 18 of the
23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

Bald Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 9 miles northeast of Indian River.
Status: Removed.

The first structure on Bald Mt was a wooden tower constructed by the Conservation Commission in May 1911. In 1918, the Conservation Commission purchased a 47' Aermotor LS40 tower, which was erected on the site in 1919.

With the advent of aerial detection this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season. Ownership of the structure was transferred to the landowner. Due to liability concerns the owner, Diamond International had the legs bolts removed and the tower pulled over. Its twisted remains were left at the site.

In 1989 the new owner of the 18,000 acre tract, Henry Lassiter, entered in to an agreement with the DEC, formally known as a "conservation easement", whereby the State purchased the development and recreation rights leaving the land itself and the timber in private ownership. This allows the public use of the land while the owner continues to manage and harvest the timber. Each easement has its own stipulations. On the Lassiter Tract all forms of hunting from September 1 through December 31 until December 31, 2019.

                                              

                                  Photo courtesy of Bob Berch                                                                                       Photo courtesy of the descendants of Henry Kuhl

Gomer Hill Fire Tower

Location: 4 miles west of the Hamlet of Turin.
Status: Remains.

The structure on Gomer Hill was an 67' 6" International Derrick tower erected by the CCC Camp S-122, Boonville in 1940. The tower was first staffed in 1941 reporting 2 fires and 161 visitors.

                    Photo courtesy of Paul Hartmann



                                                                                                                                                                         Photo courtesy of Paul Hartmann

This tower ceased operation at the end of the 1988 season. It was officially closed in early 1989 when the Department of Environmental Conservation determined that towers were no longer effective and decided to phase them out of service.

The site is open to the public but the tower is not as it is used as an antenna support structure. The cabin was moved to the Lowville Demonstration Forest in Dadville where it's a part of their forest fire control exhibit along with the upper portion of the Number Four Fire Tower.

Moose River Fire Tower

Location: Adjacent to the Moose River Rd. half way between the Hamlets of Moose River and Porters Corners.
Status: Closed in 1919 and later removed.

The first and only structure at this site was a wooden tower erected by the Conservation Commission in 1912 adjacent to the Moose River Rd in the Town of Lyonsdale, Lewis County.

When a steel tower was purchased in 1919, it was erected at a new site, eleven miles to the northeast of this location and three miles west of Thendara in the Town of Webb, Herkimer County. With the establishment of the new tower on what would be known as Moose River Mt., this site was abandon.

New Boston Fire Tower

Location:North of State Rt. 177 at the Hamlet of New Boston.
Status: Removed.

The structure on New Boston was an 80' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1950.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season. The tower was dismantled and removed by DEC personnel in 1982.

It remained in storage until about 2000 when it was loaned to the Thompson Park in Watertown.

Number Four Fire Tower

Location: South of the Number Four Rd at Number Four.
Status: Removed.

The structure at Number Four was a 75' Aermotor LX25 tower, with ladders rather than stairs between the landings. It was purchased and erected by the Fisher Forestry Co. under the supervision of the Conservation Department in 1928. (Click here to view a news article) It was erected in the Town of Watson, Lewis Co and was owned and operated by the landowner until 1945 when the Conservation Department took over its operation. The ladders were replaced with conventional stairs about 1960.

The tower finally became property of the State in the late 1950's. The parcel of land, containing 4.3 acres, which including both the cabin and tower, was transferred from Fisher Forestry & Realty Co. to the State of New York in 1958. Up until that time, it was a privately owned tower, first operated by the landowner for ten years and then be the State for the remaining time.

The Conservation Department operated the tower until it's closure in early 1980's when it was dismantled and removed. The upper section of the tower has been erected at the Demonstration Forest adjacent to the Lowville DEC Office at Dadville.

The observer's cabin was moved to the Nick's Lake Campground in 1984 or 5.

Nothing remains at the tower site except for the tower footers.

Rock Mt. Fire Tower

Location:3 miles southeast of Crystal Lake and the Number Four Road.
Status: Removed.

Rock Mt. Fire Tower was an early venture of major landowner and conservationist Clarence Fisher.    Mr. Fisher saw a need for the tower to protect both his vast land holdings and the lands of others in the area. With Beaver Lake and Stillwater towers being some distance away, he had Rock Mt. erected in 1922, in cooperation with the then Conservation Commission, by a private contractor from Lowville, according to a news article in the Lowville Journal and Republican.

This would be a secondary station operated by Fisher Forestry during times on high fire danger. Six years later, Fisher purchased and erected a steel tower at Number Four which offered a far better view of the area, negating the need for the wooden tower on Rock Mt.

Swancott Hill Fire Tower

Location: 10 miles northeast of Camden.
Status: Removed.

The structure on Swancott was a 99' 9" International Derrick tower erected by CCC Camp S-113, Camden in 1940. Its height made it the tallest tower ever erected in New York State.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1971 season and both the tower and cabin were sold and removed about ten years later.

Penn Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 5 miles northwest of Remsen.
Status: Removed.

The structure on Penn was an 80' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1950. This tower was placed in service in 1951 reporting no fires and only 4 visitors.

This tower was closed in 1971. It was reopened briefly in 1974 to provide early detection to a concentrated area that suffered heavy wind damage near Forestport. It was again closed and subsequently removed in 1976.

Castor Hill Fire Tower

Location: 12 miles east of Sandy Creek
Status: Removed.

The structure on Castor Hill was an 80' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1927.

in the 1950's a dispute arose between the owner of the land on which the tower stood and the Conservation Department. The dispute couldn't be resolved. Consequently, the tower was dismantled and reassembled across the road on the Little John Game Management Area in 1961.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season and ultimately removed in 1981.

Arab Mt. Fire Tower

Location: South of State Rt. 3, 2 miles from the Hamlet of Piercefield.
Status: Remains and has been restored by the Friends of Mt. Arab.

The first structure on Arab Mt. was a wooden tower constructed by the Conservation Commission in September 1911. In 1918, the Conservation Commission replaced it with a 35' Aermotor LS40 tower.

This tower ceased operation at the end of the 1988 season. The tower was officially closed in early 1989 when the Department of Environmental Conservation determined that towers were no longer effective and decided to phase them out of service.

The tower now appears on the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places being placed on the latter September 23, 2001.

The site has been adopted and restored by the Friends of Mt. Arab. The results of their efforts can be seen by clicking here.

Arab Mt. is one of the mountains included in the Fire Tower Challenge sponsored by the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). "To complete the Challenge and receive the official full-color patch, hikers must climb and document, by date, ascents of at least 23 fire tower summits: 18 of the
23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

Cat Mt. Fire Tower

Location: Southwest of Cranberry Lake and 5 1/2 miles from the Hamlet of Wanakena.
Status: Removed.

The first structure on Cat was a 37' wooden tower constructed by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in July 1910. In 1917, the Conservation Commission replaced it with a 47' Aermotor LS40 tower.

With the advent of aerial detection and the great difficulty of staffing interior towers, Cat Mt. was closed at the end of the 1970 season. This structure was removed about 1977 because it was deemed excess to the needs of the Bureau of Forest Fire Control and was additionally a "non-conforming structure" in the newly established Five Ponds Wilderness Area.

Catamount Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 9 miles southeast of South Colton and west of the Carry Falls Reservoir.
Status: Removed.

The first structure on Catamount was a wooden tower constructed by the Conservation Commission in October 1911. In 1917 the Conservation Commission replaced the wooden tower with a 35' Aermotor LS40 tower.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1971 season. This structure, situated on private lands, was removed in the early 1980's.

Moosehead Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 2 miles northeast of Sevey Corners.
Status: Removed.

The first structure on Moosehead was a 20' wooden tower erected by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in June 1910. In 1916 it was replaced with a 40' Aermotor LL25 tower. It was of a lighter weight than their 1917 design and had no stairs but only a ladder up the exterior for the purpose of ingress and egress. Wooden steps were added within the structure to ease access for both the Observer and the general public in 1918 or 1919. (Click here to view a news article)

A self-supporting staircase was developed by Aermotor, for installation in the towers purchased in 1916. This staircase amounted to a tower within a tower and was anchored to the original tower. These were purchased to replace the wooden stairs currently in use and were installed in this tower.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed in 1969. This tower, situated on private land, was removed in the early 1980's.

Sand Hill Fire Tower

Location: On the east side of State Rt 420, 5 miles south of Massena.
Status: Removed in 1959.

The structure on Sand Hill was an 80' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1949.

The tower was staffed only sporadically during its 10 years. This tower was closed and removed about 1959.

The cabin was moved to DEC's Brasher Falls Field Headquarters where it remains today and is used by Operations Unit personnel. All that remains at the tower site today are the concrete footers for the tower and cabin in amongst the pines.

Tooley Pond Mt. Fire Tower (Cathedral Rock)

Location: 1/2 mile west of the Tooley Pond Rd, 3 1/2 miles not of Cook Corners.
Status: Removed to the Ranger School Forest in Wanakena.

The first structure on Tooley Pond was a wooden tower erected by the Conservation Commission in 1913. In 1919 it was replaced with a 47' Aermotor LS40 tower.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1971 season.

Students from the New York State Ranger School at Wanakena dismantled the tower and re-erected it at Cathedral Rock on the Ranger School Forest. The project, under the direction of Professor Kerm Remele, took several years to complete but was well worth waiting for.

The Tooley Pond Tower now located at Cathedral Rock is one of the mountains included in the Fire Tower Challenge sponsored by the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). "To complete the Challenge and receive the official full-color patch, hikers must climb and document, by date, ascents of at least 23 fire tower summits: 18 of the 23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

Whites Hill Fire Tower

Location: On the west side of the Whites Hill Rd, 3 miles south of Parishville.
Status: Removed.

The structure on Whites Hill was an 80' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1950. This tower was placed in service in 1951 reporting 3 fires and 588 visitors.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1971 season and later removed.

The cabin was moved to DEC's Trout Lake Shop were it is used by Operations Unit personnel.