Sunderland Fire Tower
US 626, MA 37
2016 photo by Jack Kelley
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 626, MA 37 (view other lookouts in United States, Massachusetts) |
| Date Registered | December 15, 2004 |
| Nominated by | Henry Isenberg |
| Location |
Mt. Toby State Reservation Franklin County, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates |
N 42° 29.450' W 072° 32.284' (view using Google Maps) N 42° 29' 27" W 072° 32' 17" N 42.490830° W 072.538060° |
| Elevation | 1,225 ft (373 m) |
| Built | 1951 |
| Administered by | Mass. Bureau of Forest Fire Control |
| Cooperators | Mass. Bureau of Forest Fire Control, District 9 |
Description
The first Sunderland Fire Tower was a 58’ structure built on land of the Amherst Agricultural College (now the University of Massachusetts). It was destroyed by the 1938 hurricane and soon replaced by a 68’ steel tower in 1939. That tower too blew down and the current 68’ steel tower with 10’x10’ wooden cab went into service in 1951.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
Visit Reports
April 8, 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 stairs shake when used and make unsettling groaning noises, though they are not damaged in any obvious way. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Other enroachments? | There is a large amount of broadcasting equipment underneath and on the side of the tower. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | There is a trail map on the bottom of the mountain. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
Staffed seasonally.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |
September 14, 2013: T.A.
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | No Response |
| 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 is posted inside the cabin due to vandalism concerns. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
Staffed seasonally.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |