Smarts Mountain Lookout
US 157, NH 3
August 7. 2016 photo
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 157, NH 3 (view other lookouts in United States, New Hampshire) |
| Date Registered | January 19, 1996 |
| Nominated by | Iris Baird, FFLA |
| Location |
White Mountain National Forest Grafton County, New Hampshire |
| Coordinates |
N 43° 49.540' W 072° 01.911' (view using Google Maps) N 43° 49' 32" W 072° 01' 55" N 43.825660° W 072.031843° |
| Elevation | 3,200 ft (975 m) |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Pemigewasset Ranger District and the Dartmouth Outing Club |
Description
The first fire lookout on Smarts Mountain in New Hampshire was built in 1915. In 1939 the NH Forestry Commission constructed this 41’ steel tower with 7’ x 7’ cab -- which is the last International Derrick tower in the state -- using emergency federal funds following the 1938 hurricane. It is located on the Appalachian Trail.
Map
Change Basemap
Visit Reports
August 7, 2016: Jack Kelley
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Since this tower was restored in June of 2016 by HistoriCorps it has looked amazing. The windows are all intact and one opens like it would've when the tower was staffed. The landing and stairs have been replaced where they needed to be, and the tower has been grounded to protect against lightning. The former watchman's cabin has been repaired too, with the windows having been replaced and screens being repaired. The roof of the tower has also been replaced. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Comments: | There are no cell towers on the summit or communication equipment on the tower. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | The NHLR sign is not on the tower, and there are directions to the tower- but the signs at the kiosk in the parking lot are incorrect. They are from August of 2014 and they state that the towers is still closed- which is incorrect. Other than that, the directions are all good. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
This tower is no longer staffed.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |