Briar Fire Lookout
US 1830, MO 16
Briar Looking flyng the colors to celebrate America's 250.
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 1830, MO 16 (view other lookouts in United States, Missouri) |
| Date Registered | June 28, 2026 |
| Nominated by | Anthony Lee |
| Location |
Mark Twain National Forest, Eleven Point Ranger District Ripley County, Missouri |
| Coordinates |
N 36° 39.075' W 091° 00.855' (view using Google Maps) N 36° 39' 04" W 091° 00' 51" N 36.651243° W 091.014255° |
| Elevation | 878 ft (268 m) |
| Built | 1938 |
| Administered by | USDA Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Eleven Point Ranger District |
Description
Constructed by Bardley CCC Camp 3751 in 1938 along with towerman dwelling (plan B34-01) and two garages (plan B-16). Site was used as area work center and housing until the mid 1970's. unsure of date of removal of housing and garage. Lookout was staffed frequently by employees until 2005. After that time lookout was used for afternoon checks and locating reported smokes. Lookout was used infrequently after vandalism destroyed the Osborne fire finder between 2005 and 2010. Lookout was in disrepair until 2016 when efforts of a few district employees and AmeriCorps crews initiated restoration activities. During this time, grounds were again maintained, many steps replaced, and broken windows replaced. Lookout was used primarily used for monitoring prescribed fire smoke monitoring during this time.
Lookout fire finder stand was damaged beyond repair by vandalism in 2021. Lookout stand was rebuilt and interior lower walls and floor repainted. Missouri department of Conservation was contacted to procure another fire finder. The fire finder from the recently removed Fort Leonard Wood Lookout was gifted to the Forest, restored and placed in the lookout in 2024. Restoration activities are ongoing including the addition of a radio repeater on the structure, restoration of electric power, planned replacement of all stairway landings with grated metal, and planned replacement of lookout ceiling as well as historic interior features. Lookout does not have dedicated staff but is still utilized for prescribed fire monitoring as well as occasional visits from fire staff during fire season.
Lookout fire finder stand was damaged beyond repair by vandalism in 2021. Lookout stand was rebuilt and interior lower walls and floor repainted. Missouri department of Conservation was contacted to procure another fire finder. The fire finder from the recently removed Fort Leonard Wood Lookout was gifted to the Forest, restored and placed in the lookout in 2024. Restoration activities are ongoing including the addition of a radio repeater on the structure, restoration of electric power, planned replacement of all stairway landings with grated metal, and planned replacement of lookout ceiling as well as historic interior features. Lookout does not have dedicated staff but is still utilized for prescribed fire monitoring as well as occasional visits from fire staff during fire season.
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