Alander Mt. Fire Tower

Location:
Status: The tower has been removed but the 1922 style observer's cabin still remains.

In 1926, the Conservation Commission received a request for information regarding its standard fire observation stations from the Taconic Sate Park Commission. The Park Commission felt that a station on Alander Mt. would be of material assistance to the fire protective organization, not only within the Park's jurisdiction but also on large areas outside the Park.

At the top of Alander Mt., at an elevation of 2240', Conservaiton Department forest rangers supervised the erection a 60' Aermotor LS40 Aermotor tower. Such cooperation was the norm for the times as State Parks was another Division within the Conservation Department, being placed there in early 1927. Three miles of telephone line were constructed to connect the tower with the New York Telephone system. Alander Mt. was situated in the State of Massachusetts, about one quarter of a mile east of the New York border.

The tower was intended primarily for spotting fires on the Park. However, arrangements were made with the Park Commission so that fires on State land or private land outside the Park would be reported to the local fire wardens.

In August 1930, the Commission received a notice from Mr. William A. Miles, of Salisbury, Conn. terminating the lease to the part of his property currently being used as the site for the fire tower. In response to Mr. Miles notice, the Park had the tower partially dismantled by the end of November.

The parts were put in storage pending the possible relocation of the tower by the Conservation Department. It was not until 1932 that the Conservation Department agreed to accept the transfer of the tower from the Park Commission. The tower was then erected on Park lands on Washburn Mt. in 1933 and was operated by the Conservation Department until it was moved to Beebe Hill in 1964, where it remains today.

Washburn Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 1 mile southeast of Copake Falls on the New York / Massachusetts border.
Status: Removed in 1964.

A 60' Aermotor LS40 tower and observers cabin were erected by the Conservation Department in 1933. Washburn Mt. is located on the Taconic State Park, 1 mile southeast of Copake Falls.

Previously, this tower was on Alander Mt. from 1927 until 1930 when it was dismantled and stored at Taconic State Park until it was erected on this site in 1933.

The tower was closed in 1964 and moved to Beebe Hill where it still remains today.

Bramley Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 5 miles east of Delhi
Status: Removed.

The structure on Bramley Mt was an 80' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1950. Bramley Mt. lies 2 1/2 miles south of the Hamlet of Bloomville in Delaware County.













With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season. It was sold for $50 and removed from the mountaintop in 1975.

Rock Rift Fire Tower

Location: Tower Mt. about 2 miles northeast of the Hamlet of Rock Rift and north of the Cannonsville Reservoir.
Status: Still remains but is closed to the public.

The structure known as Rock Rift was a 72' 9" International Derrick E-4898 steel tower provided to the State of New York by the US Forest Service and erected by the CCC's in 1934. It is actually located on Tower Mt., elevation of 2382', about 2 miles northeast of the Hamlet of Rock Rift and north of the Cannonsville Reservoir.















This tower ceased operation at the end of the 1988 season and was officially closed in early 1989 when the Department determined that fire towers were no longer effective and decided to phase them out of service. This tower still remains on New York City reservoir lands but is closed to the public.

Twadell Point Fire Tower

Location: 1 1/2 mile north of the Hamlet of East Branch
Status: Remains but is closed to the public.

The first structure known as Twadell Pt. was a 45' modified windmill tower, purchased for $307.70 and erected by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in May 1910. In 1919 it was replaced with a 47' Aermotor LS40 tower. Twadell Point Fire Tower is on the summit of Twadell Mt., elevation of 2296' and is 1 1/2 miles northeast of the Hamlet of East Branch.

By 1916 each observation station included a cabin for the observers comfort. Previously, most were provided only tents for shelter. These original cabins were usually constructed of logs cut on site. Most were small and less than ideal. In the early 20’s a standard design would be developed.

This tower was closed at the end of the 1972 season and was sold to the landowner of the land on which it still stands. Though the tower still remains, it's on private land and is closed to the public.

Utsayantha Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 2 miles southeast of the Village of Stamford
Status: Restored and open to the public.

Four wooden different observation towers, built by the landowner Rulif W. Rulifson in 1892, 1895, 1901 and 1916, preceded the state tower and all were blown down by severe winds. None were used by the State for forest fire detection.

The first and only State structure on Utsayantha was a 59' 3" International Derrick tower erected by the CCC's in 1934. The tower was closed at the end of the 1989 season, making it one of the last operating fire towers in New York State.

Negotiations were completed in 2003 which allowed for the transfer ownership of the tower to the Village of Stamford. A group was formed in 2003 to take on restoration of the tower as well as all other improvements on the mountaintop site.

Restoration work began in 2004 and was completed in July of 2005 and a dedication held. Move can be learned by visiting the Mt. Utsayantha web site.

Beacon Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 2 miles east of the City of Beacon.
Status: Still remains.

This station appeared on the "Fires Reported" list in 1922, 23 and 24, with no evidence of any tower preceding the steel tower that was erected in 1931. It's entirely possible that earlier fire reports came from a location on North Beacon Mt.

Historical data collected shows that a major community existed on top of North Beacon through the first half of the twentieth century. Access was gained to the mountaintop by means of an electric inclined railway that operated from 1901 to 1975 during which an estimated 3 million people road the railway to the 1540' summit, where a casino, hotel and numerous cottages existed.

The structure on South Beacon Mt. is a standard 60' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1931, which became operational in 1932. It is located about 2 miles southeast of the City of Beacon. The tower was established with funds from Dutchess Co and various private sources.

With the advent of aerial detection this tower was closed
at the end of the 1972 season.

Beacon Mt. was added to the National Historic Lookout Register in December 2005.

The tower still remains and a group has recently formed with the intent of restoring it. Progress on the restoration is moving along quite rapidly. Below are a couple of recent photos by David Rocco of the Committee to Restore the Beacon Fire Tower.

You can visit the groups website for more information on the project by clicking here.

Clove Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 7 miles south of the Village of Millbrook.
Status: Still remains but is closed to the public.

The structure on Clove is a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1933. It's lies 3 1/2 miles east of the James Baird State Park on the Taconic State Parkway.

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

Though the tower still remains, it's on private lands and is closed to the public.

Stissing Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 2 mile west of Pine Plains.
Status: Still remains and is open to the public.

The structure on Stissing is a 79' 6" International Derrick E-4898 (c1932) tower, provided to the State of New York by the US Forest Service and erected by the Boston Corners CCC Camp in November and December of 1933. This tower was first manned in 1935 and is found 2 miles west of Pine Plains on the Stissing Mountain State Forest.

This tower was first manned in 1935 reporting 91 fire and 610 visitors.

The tower is on the northern shoulder of the mountain at 1370' and not on the summit. The summit is 1403'. This tower ceased operation sometime between 1979 and 82 but still remains, has been restored and is open to the public.

Hunter Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 2 miles south of the Hamlet of Hunter.
Status: Still remains, has been restored and is open to the public.

The first structure on Hunter was a 40' wooden tower erected by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in August 1909. Three quarters of a mile of telephone line was constructed so that the observer could quickly
report fires to the local Forest Ranger.

The Conservation Commission replaced it with a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower in 1917. The tower lies 2 1/4 miles south of the Village of Hunter on New York State Forest Preserve lands designated at the Hunter Mt. Wild Forest.

In 1950, the tower was moved northerly about 1000' to its current location on the true summit of the mountain, which was considered a more effective site.

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

Hunter Mt. Fire Tower has been restored and was reopened on August 7, 2000 as a part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project. It appears on both the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

More information on the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project can be seen by clicking here.

Hunter 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 23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

Bear Mt. Fire Tower

Location:1 mile west-southwest of the Bear Mt. Bridge.
Status: Removed.

In 1928 the Palisades State Park Commission erected a 60' standard Aermotor LS40 tower on the summit of Bear Mt. in Bear Mt. State Park. The tower stood for only seven years and was then taken down to make way for the Perkins Memorial Tower erected in honor of George W. Perkins Sr., first president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, from 1900 to1920. It was a gift of Perkin's widow and son in 1934, and for 19 years it was used as a weather station and fire lookout until it was closed in 1953.

In 1990, the Perkins family donated $100,000 to defray the cost of producing new exhibits and also agreed to donate $650,000 over a period of years as an endowment for the maintenance of the tower. It was completely renovated and re-opened to the public.

Fingerboard Mt. Fire Tower

Location:3 miles southeast of Harriman.
Status: Removed.

In 1928 a 60" standard Aermotor LS40 tower was erected on Fingerboard Mt. by the Palisades State Park Commission on Harriman State Park. It was one of three such towers erected that same year. The others were on Bear Mt. and Jackie Jones Mt. With their completion, the Park Commission felt that an adequate system of fire detection had been attained.

The tower was operated by the Park until the early 1970's when it was closed and removed.

Graham Fire Tower

Location: 2 1/2 miles south of Otisville on the Shawangunk Range.
Status: Remains but is closed to the public.

This tower, a 60' Aermotor LS40 was previously located on Pocatello Mt. since 1930 until it was moved to Graham in 1948. It's found on the Shawangunk Range about 3 miles southwest of Otisville.

The tower ceased operation at the end of the 1988 season and was officially closed in early 1989 when the Department of Environmental Conservation determined that fire towers were no longer effective and decided to phase them out of service. Graham Tower appears on the National Historic Lookout Register.

Although the tower still remains, both it and the surrounding area are closed to the public.

Pocatello Mt. Fire Tower

Location: Southwest of Middletown on Sayers Hill.
Status: Removed in 1948.

A 60' Aermotor LS40 tower and observers cabin were erected by the Conservation Department in 1930. They were purchased with funds provided through popular subscription and county and town monies. It was erected here as the site affords needed protection to the entire eastern and southern slopes of the Shawangunk Mountain range.

Three years later in 1933, electricity was run to the tower to power a two-way radio that allowed the observer to talk with a Conservation Department airplane and a pickup truck equipped with a mobile radio as they patrolled the area. This first radio consisted of a 5-meter transmitter and receiver secured from the Radio Engineering Labs of Long Island City. The unit was assigned the identifier W10XBE and operated on a frequency of 62 megacycles. .

Sterling Fire Tower

Location: 2 miles south of the Hamlet of Greenwood Lake and between Sterling and Greenwood Lakes.
Status: Still remains but is no longer staffed on a regular basis and is locked up so no one can climb it.

The structure at Sterling is a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Commission in 1922, which became operational in 1923. This tower is located on Rough Mt., about 2 miles south of the Hamlet of Greenwood Lake, on lands that recently became the Sterling Forest State Park, in the Town of Warwick, Orange County.

The tower ceased operation at the end of the 1988 season and was officially closed in early 1989 when the Department of Environmental Conservation determined that fire towers were no longer effective and decided to phase them out of service. It has been held as a "stand by" tower until 1999 when it was put back into active service by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and holds the distinction of being the only operating tower in New York State.

I In late 2007 the Park, for reasons unknown, ceased their full time operation of the tower. It's no longer staffed on a regular basis and is locked up so no one can climb it. Sterling Fire Tower appears on the National Historic Lookout Register.

Gilbert Lake Fire Tower

Location:At Gilbert Lake State Park in the Town of New Lisbon, Otsego County
Status: Removed

The structure at Gilbert Lake was an 80' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the CCC's in 1934 for the Conservation Department's Division of State Parks.

The CCC camp members staffed the tower during dry periods until its closure in 1941. From 1941 to 1948 there is no evidence that the tower was ever staffed. It was transferred to the Bureau of Forest Fire Control in 1948 and moved to Leonard Hill in Schoharie County.

Hooker Hill Fire Tower

Location: 7 miles south of Cooperstown.
Status: Removed.

The structure on Hooker Hill was a 79' 6" International Derrick E-4898 tower that was provided to the State of New York by the US Forest Service and erected by the CCC Camp S-93, Breakabean. The tower was first operated in 1936 reporting 3 fires but no visitors. Hooker was located 7 1/2 miles southeast of Cooperstown on the Hooker Hill State Forest.

It was staffed regularly until the advent of aerial detection caused the closing of this tower at the end of the 1970 season.

This structure was sold in 1975 for $490. In November of 2001, the person who initially purchased it, transferred ownership to Marty Podskoch, author of three books on New York State Fire Towers, one volume on the Catskill Towers and two on the Adirondack Fire Towers.

Since that time Marty has moved to the Connecticut. The tower parts are now in the hands of the Town of Speculator who have not at yet found a suitable place to erect it.

Nimham Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 3 miles northwest of Carmel.
Status: Remains, has been restored and is open to the public.

Nimham Mountain, named after Chief Daniel Nimham of the Wappingers tribe, contains 1,023 acres in the town of Kent, Putnam County. The name was recently changed from "Ninham" to "Nimham" to correct a long standing spelling error.

The structure on Nimham Mt. is an 82' 6" International Derrick tower erected by CCC Camp P-135, Peekskill in 1940. The tower was first staffed in 1941 reporting 73 fires and 266 visitors. Nimham Tower can be found about 3 miles northwest of Carmel on the Nimham Mt. State Forest.

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

This is one of only a few New York State towers that bears a manufacturers identification tag. It reads: "THE INTERNATIONAL DERRICK & EQUIPMENT Company (IDECO) Columbus, Ohio - Los Angeles."

This tower appears on the National Historic Lookout Register. Local volunteers organized by the Town of Kent began restoring the tower in the mid-1990's. Their work was completed in the spring of 2005 and the official dedication held on July 24, 2005. Their progress can be seen by clicking here.

Berlin Mt. Fire Tower

Location:4 miles east of the Hamlet of Berlin on State Route 22.
Status: Removed

The tower on Berlin Mountain was a 50' steel structure erected as a joint venture among the States of Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. It was erected about 1915 by the State of Massachusetts while all three states contributed to the cost of its operation. It's been reported that the town of Williamstown donated $300 toward the tower. Some of this money was for a stairway for public access instead of a ladder. This was one of two towers erected to replace the tower on Mt. Greylock which had poor visibility.

The tower was staffed until 1923 when the cooperative agreement reportedly fell apart. It was then dismantled by the State of Massachusetts and moved to Brodie Mt. in Hancock. All that remains of this tower on Berlin Mt. are the footings.

Dickinson Hill Fire Tower

Location: 2 3/4 miles northeast of the Hamlet of Grafton
Status: Remains and is open to the public.

The City of Troy subscribed $1,000 towards the expense of establishing this tower. The City's interest in this station was that it covered the forested area of the city watershed, which includes hundreds of acres of plantations.

The structure on Dickinson Hill is a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Commission in 1924.

The tower was closed in the spring of 1974. The Beebe Hill tower, to the south, near the town of Austerlitz replaced this tower with respect to spotting forest fires. Currently, the tower and the lands under it are under the control of the New York State Police. They use the site for a repeater tower to aid in radio communications.

The Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park, a group formed several years ago, have been trying to get the State Police to turn over the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower to the park service so it can be safely restored and opened to park visitors. If this happens, the Park has plans to build a nature trail to the tower and offer educational programs dealing with the tower.

This tower appears on the National Historic Lookout Register and is open to the public.

Number Seven Fire Tower

Location: 5 miles southeast of Averill Park.
Status: Removed.

The structure on Number Seven Hill was a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Commission in 1922 which became operational in 1923. It was located on a hill identified as "Seven Hills" but the US Geological Survey, 5 miles northwest of Stephentown adn 5 miles southeast of Averill Park.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season and has since been removed.

Diamond Mt. Fire Tower

Location:3 miles northeast of Sloatsburg
Status: Removed.

The first steel tower here was constructed using the steel from the old Bear Mt. tower in 1935 by the Palisades State Park Commission. This tower was taken down in 1955, and the steel removed to the Merrit Bank yard for safe keeping.

In 1966 the Park Commission purchased and erected an 80' Aermotor LS 40 tower which had louvered aluminum windows in the observation cab. It stood for twenty years until it too was removed in 1986. The Park's operation of it's fire towers ceased in the early 1980's because of manpower shortages and budget restrictions. The system of fire detection, enhanced by the towers at Fingerboard, Diamond, Jackie Jones and Sterling, came to a halt shortly afterwards, in 1989, when the Department of Environmental Conservation de-activated most of its fire observation stations. No photos of either of the Diamond Mt. towers have been located. Some steel pieces from these towers were used at Sterling Fire Tower to construct handrails and make other repairs when Sterling Forest State Park was created in 1998.

Jackie Jones Fire Tower

Location: 4 miles west of Stony Point on the south side of Rt. 210 at Lake Welch.
Status: Remains.

The structure on Jackie Jones is a 60' steel tower erected by the Palisades State Park Commission on Bear Mt. State Park in 1928. It replaced a wooden tower that stood there previously. The Conservation Department's Bureau of Forest Fire Control took over operation of Jackie Jones Tower in 1931.

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

In 1928, according to official documents, “The three new steel towers erected ... on Fingerboard Mountain, Tom Jones Mountain and Bear Mountain, with a wooden tower already on Jackie Jones Mountain, have given the Commission a complete system of fire control.”

The above statement presents a bit of a dilemma for other documentation indicates that a steel tower was erected on Jackie Jones Mt in 1928. It is more than likely that the tower originally intended for Tom Jones Mountain was diverted to Jackie Jones.

This tower appears on the National Historic Lookout Register, still remains and is open to the public.

Leonard Hill Fire Tower

Location: 1 mile south of Broome Center in southernmost Schoharie Co.
Status: Remains .

The structure on Leonard Hill is an 80' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1948. The tower was previously at Gilbert Lake State Park from 1932 until it was dismantled and moved in 1948. It's currently found about 13 1/2 miles east of Stamford on the Leonard Hill State Forest.

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

The tower still remains, is open to the public and has been adopted by a local group that plans to begin restoration work once an engineering study of the structure is completed.

Petersburg Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 3 3/4 miles southeast of Cobleskill.
Status: Removed and the site is closed to the public..

The structure on Petersburg was a 67' 6" International Derrick tower erected by CCC Camp S-93, Breakabean, in 1940. The tower was first staffed in 1941 reporting 7 fires and 223 visitors.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1971 season. The tower was transferred to Schoharie County for use as a radio tower sometime in the 1970's. The County removed the cab and added an additional 30’ to the tower in order to utilize it as an antenna support structure. The tower has recently been removed and replaced with a new antenna support structure. The site is closed to the public.

Chapin Hill Fire Tower

Location: 8 miles southwest of Monticello.
Status: Removed.

The Sullivan Co Board of Supervisors appropriated money for an observation station between Highland and Bethel on Chapin Hill. The structure, a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower, was completed early in the spring of 24 in time for use throughout the 1924 season. It was located about 8 1/2 miles southwest of Monticello.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season and has subsequently been removed.

Roosa Gap Fire Tower

Location: 1 1/4 miles east of Summitville and US Rt. 209.
Status: remains on private land and is closed to the public.

The structure at Roosa Gap was a 35' standard Aermotor tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1948 in Sullivan Co on the Shawangunk Range near Summitville.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1972 season later sold. While the tower still remains, it is in private ownership and closed to the public.

Recently Roosa Gap became State property and what will happen to the tower will be determined by a management plan for the area.

Balsam Lake Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 5 miles northeast of the Hamlet of Hardenbergh.
Status: Remains and has been restored as part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project.

In 1887 the Balsam Lake Club built the first tower on Balsam Lake Mt. to protect its hunting and fishing lands. The tower was later destroyed by lightning in 1901. The Club built a second tower in 1905. This structure was the 35' wooden tower that was taken over by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in 1909 as one of the first fire towers in New York State.

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

The tower appears on both the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places, being placed on the latter in 2001. It can be found 1 3/4 miles south of the Hamlet of Belle Ayr on New York State Forest Preserve lands in the Balsam Lake Mt. Wild Forest.

The tower has since been restored and reopened on June 3, 2000 as a part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project by the Friends of the Balsam Lake Fire Tower. Other results of their work can be seen by clicking here.

Balsam Lake 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 23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

Belleayre (Belle Ayr) Mt. Fire Tower

Location: At Hightmount above the Belleayre Mt. Ski Center.
Status: Removed in 1985.

The first tower was a 65' converted windmill on the property of Eugene E. Howe of Griffen Corners (present-day Fleishmanns) that was taken over by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission in 1909 and was one of the first fire towers in New York State. It was located 2 miles west of Pine Hill in Ulster County.

The tower, with its open platform and no cab for protection, was used until it was replaced with a 73' Aermotor LS40 tower in 1930. The station was relocated to afford better protection to a greater area than was given by the original structure.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season. The tower remained on the "Inactive" list until it was destroyed by the Department of Environmental Conservation on March 3, 1985, the same year of the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Forest Preserve and the NYS Forest Ranger Force.

Gallis Hill Fire Tower

Location: 3 miles northeast of Kingston.
Status: Removed in 1950.

The structure on Gallis was a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower, erected by the Conservation Department in 1927. The first standard design for observer's cabins was developed in 1922, mandating that they be 12’ x 16’ in size and roofed and sided with asphalt shingles. A cabin of this design was erected at the same time the tower.

Very little is know of the station. In the late 1940's Ray Winne was the last observer to serve on this mountain.

In 1950 the tower was closed and moved 8 miles to the north to a new site on Overlook Mt. where it still remains today.

High Point Fire Tower

Location: 3 miles east of Ellenville on the Shawangunk Range.
Status: Removed.

The first structure on High Point was a wooden tower erected by the Conservation Commission in 1912. In 1919 it was replaced with a 47' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Commission on the northern shoulder of the mountain.

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

Mohonk Fire Tower

Location: 4 miles west of New Paltz and north of Rt. 299.
Status: Remains on private lands and is open only to hotel guests.

The first structure at Mohonk was a wooden tower erected in 1912 by the Conservation Commission at a place known locally as Dickey Bar Ridge. When the Smiley family, owners of Mohonk Lake and the Hotel, learned that the State was planning to replace the wooden tower with a steel structure they opposed it, offering instead, to make a place in the new Smiley Memorial Tower for the observer. The tower was completed in 1923 and served as the fire observation station until May 1971 when this site was closed.

The memorial tower still remains but is now open only to guests of the hotel. It can be seen on a hill top when driving west from New Paltz on Route 299.

Overlook Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 3 miles north of Woodstock and Rt. 212.
Status: Remains and has been restored as part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project.

Overlook is a standard 60' Aermotor LS40 tower that was first erected on Gallis Hill in 1927. It was taken down by the Conservation Department and moved to this location in 1950. It's located about 3 1/4 miles north of Woodstock on New York State Forest Preserve lands in the Overlook Mt. Wild Forest.

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

The tower has been restored as a part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project and appears in the National Historic Lookout Register.

The tower is open to the public and 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 23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

More can be learned about the restoration of Overlook Mt. by clicking here.

Red Hill Fire Tower

Location: miles east of Claryville.
Status: Remains and has been restored as part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project.

The structure on Red Hill is a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Commission in 1920.

A new two-way radio was installed in this tower and licensed as W10XIE in 1938, and was only the second tower in New York State to be radio equipped.

This tower was closed in 1990 and was one of the last operating fire towers in New York State. It appears on the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places, being placed there in Sept 28, 2001. It can be found 4 1/2 miles east of Claryville on New York State Forest Preserve Lands in the Sundown Wild Forest.

The tower has been restored and reopened on July 15, 2000 as a part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project. More information on the Red Hill Fire Tower Restoration project can be seen by clicking here.

Red Hill 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 23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

Slide Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 6 1/2 miles southwest of Phoenicia.
Status: Removed about 1968.

The first structure on Slide was a wooden tower, but it is unclear as to whether it was erected by the Conservation Commission or if it previously existed. The tower on Slide Mt. was operational for just one year - 1912. The site was deemed unsuitable for fire detection purposes and closed. The tower was "officially" closed in 1916.

In 1934, a tower, purchased from State funds, was erected on Slide Mt. for observation purposes only. The 35' steel tower was never used for forest fire detection. Having fallen into a severely deteriorated condition, it was removed in 1968.

Tremper Mt. Fire Tower

Location: 2 miles southeast of Phoenicia.
Status: Remains and has been restored as part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project.

The structure on Tremper, a 47' Aermotor LS40 tower, was begun in late 1916 and completed in 1917 by the Conservation Commission. The tower on Tremper was built to replace the one previously on Slide Mt. It's located just 2 miles east of Phoenicia on New York State Forest Preserve lands in the Phoenicia-Mt. Tobias Wild Forest.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season. The tower has been restored and reopened on June 9, 2001 as a part of the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project.

It appears on the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places, being placed on the latter in Sept 28, 2001. More can be learned about the restoration of Tremper Mt. Fire Tower by clicking here.

Tremper 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 23 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits."

Cross River Fire Tower

Location: 2 miles north of Pound Ridge on the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
Status: Removed.

The structure on Cross River was a 60' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by Westchester County Park Commission, a former Region in the Division of Parks, on the Pound Ridge Reservation in 1926. The Conservation Department took over operation of the tower in 1931.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1970 season, sold in the mid 1970's and later removed.

Pictured below is the actual Morrow two-way radio used on Cross River in the 1950's.

Nelson Fire Tower

Location: Salt Hill, 4 miles southwest of Peekskill and a mile north of the New Croton Reservoir.

Status: Taken down but still remains at the site.

The structure on Nelson was a 73' Aermotor LS40 tower erected by the Conservation Department in 1950. This tower was placed in service in 1951 reporting 22 fires and 70 visitors.

With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1971 season. Some time following that date the tower was cut down or pulled over by persons unknown and its twisted remains were still on the summit of Salt Hill in late 2005.

Pictured here are the remains of the Nelson Fire Tower as they looked in 2005.