The Illinois Department of Conservation once had a network of 10 fire towers across the state, and the U.S. Forest Service had an additional 7 in the Shawnee National Forest. All of the federal towers are gone and only two state towers remain. Big River Lookout is located on the eastern bluffs along the Mississippi River within the Big River State Forest. The 60’ steel tower with 7’x7’ cab was constructed in 1941.