Shelburne Fire Tower
US 557, MA 7
Tom Ashton photo
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 557, MA 7 (view other lookouts in United States, Massachusetts) |
| Date Registered | February 2, 2004 |
| Nominated by | Henry Isenberg |
| Location | Franklin County, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates |
N 42° 36.416' W 072° 43.000' (view using Google Maps) N 42° 36' 25" W 072° 43' 00" N 42.606940° W 072.716670° |
| Elevation | 1,569 ft (478 m) |
| Built | 1909 |
| Administered by | Mass. Bureau of Forest Fire Control |
| Cooperators | Mass. Bureau of Forest Fire Control, District 9 |
Description
Stone fire towers of this height are a rarity in the U.S. Shelburne Lookout was constructed by the Massaemet Tower Committee in beginning in 1909 and went into service in 1911. It is the oldest continually active lookout in Massachusetts, and probably the U.S. The stone for the tower was cut at a quarry on the site. The 63’ tower has a 10’x10’ wooden cab that has been upgraded several times. It is operated by the MA Bureau of Forest Fire Control.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
1920 photo
Visit Reports
April 9, 2016: Jack Kelley
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | The tower is too high to need shutters, as the only access is by interior stone stairs. The interior of the cabin has chipping paint, though it is only due to the years of usage the tower has endured. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Other enroachments? | The electronic equipment on the tower is only used for the tracking of songbirds in the area. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | The NHLR sign was moved from the cabin interior in 2009 to the Erving fire station due to it warping because of a leak within the cabin. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
The lookout is staffed by Herman "Butch" Meattey seasonally, starting in late March and ending in early September.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |
Other Comments |
|
| Comments | There are many trails to the tower, and the lookout is very accomodating. |
February 29, 2016: Jack Kelley
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | This tower, being stone, is in amazing condition. It looks good from the outside. Some trash on interior steps, but otherwise okay. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | There are no signs posted, but there are brochures for the wildlife sanctuary the tower is in that have directions. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
This lookout is staffed starting March 30th and ending sometime in September.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |
September 25, 2013: Tom Ashton
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | NHLR signage posted inside of the cabin due to vandalism concerns. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Yes
Staffed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |