Mohawk Mountain Lookout
US 89, CT 1

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 89, CT 1 (view other lookouts in United States, Connecticut)
Date Registered August 22, 1994
Nominated by Peter Babcock, State Forester (January 30, 1992)
Location Mohawk State Forest
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Coordinates N 41° 49.265' W 073° 17.796' (view using Google Maps)
N 41° 49' 16" W 073° 17' 48"
N 41.821085° W 073.296597°
Elevation 1,659 ft (506 m)
Administered by Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection
Cooperators Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection, Division of Forestry

Description

Mohawk Mountain was the last fire tower operated in the State of Connecticut being phased out by aircraft detection in 1988. The 7’x 7’ metal cab is unique in that it is mounted on top of a much larger microwave transmission tower. The original fire tower, sans cab, is located nearby and open to the public as an observation site.

Map

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Visit Reports

January 8, 2017: Jack Kelley

Condition

Needs paint? No
Shutters OK? Yes
Condition of wood OK? Not Applicable
Stairs OK? Yes
Glass intact? Yes
Good condition? Yes
Comments: Against all odds regarding towers in a state like Connecticut, the Mohawk Mountain fire tower is surprisingly in seemingly great condition. The stairs are steel grated, so the wood condition is not applicable. The windows are all intact, and the ones that aren't have plywood in their frames to prevent damage to the cab interior. Against what is described in the NHLR listing, the original fire tower and the former fire tower on Booth Hill that was an observation tower have both been removed.

Electronics and Enroachments

Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? Yes
Comments: The cab is built on the top of a large cell tower if that gives an idea of the encroachments.

Access and Signs

NHLR sign posted? No
Directions to tower signed? Yes
Comments? The trails and road to the summit are very well marked.

Staffing

Staffed? No
The state of Connecticut no longer staffs fire towers.

Opportunities for Volunteer Support

Volunteers staffing opportunities? No
Volunteer maintenance opportunities? No

Photos

January 2017 photo

January 2017 photo - courtesy of Jack Kelley