Warwick Fire Tower
US 628, MA 39
2013 photo by Tom Ashton
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 628, MA 39 (view other lookouts in United States, Massachusetts) |
| Date Registered | December 15, 2004 |
| Nominated by | Henry Isenberg |
| Location |
Mt. Grace State Forest Franklin County, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates |
N 42° 41.516' W 072° 21.317' (view using Google Maps) N 42° 41' 31" W 072° 21' 19" N 42.691940° W 072.355280° |
| Elevation | 1,602 ft (488 m) |
| Built | 1939 |
| Administered by | Mass. Bureau of Forest Fire Control |
| Cooperators | Mass. Bureau of Forest Fire Control, District 9 |
Description
Located on the Mt. Grace State Forest, the first Warwick Fire Tower was a 40’ iron windmill type tower with a ladder and 6’x6’ cab built in 1911. It was replaced in 1920 with a 68’ iron tower that served until blown down by the 1938 hurricane. The present 68’ steel tower with 10’x10’ wooden cab was constructed in 1939.
Map
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Photos
Visit Reports
July 10, 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 structure is sound and continues to be well maintained. I looked for the original tower footings, but I could not locate them aside from two heavily eroded concrete blocks. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Comments: | There is very little communications equipment on the tower. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | There are directions to the summit (where the tower is located) all over the forest. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
This tower is staffed during periods of fire danger.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |
March 13, 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 was in overall great condition. Amazing views. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | There are directions to the summit all over the forest. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | Yes |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |
September 30, 2014: Tom Ashton
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Tower in good condition, area around the tower is well maintained by the State of Massachusetts. Stair treads and platforms were replaced two years ago. <br /> <br />The footings for the ORIGINAL tower (blown down in the hurricane of 1938) are visible about 25 feet to the north of the current tower. Some pieces of metal from this structure remain in the area |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Directions to the summit of Mt. Grace (where the tower sits) are well marked. NHLR sign is 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 |