Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower
US 9, NY 1
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 9, NY 1 (view other lookouts in United States, New York) |
| Date Registered | November 30, 1990 |
| Nominated by | Bill Rudge, Senior Forester, New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Region 3 |
| Location |
Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest Ulster County, New York |
| Coordinates |
N 42° 02.724' W 074° 35.676' (view using Google Maps) N 42° 02' 43" W 074° 35' 41" N 42.045395° W 074.594604° |
| Elevation | 3,720 ft (1,134 m) |
| Administered by | New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation |
| Cooperators | New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Region 3 |
Description
Balsam Lake Mountain is the oldest documented forest fire observatory within New York State. In 1887 the land was owned by the Balsam Lake Club, and fire was a serious concern to large land owners such as the club. They erected a tower made from timbers found on the mountain top and paid a man to staff the tower during dry conditions. This tower was struck by lightning and burned down about 1901. The club built a similar wood tower on the mountain in 1905. When the state began their fire tower system in 1909 operation of the Balsam Lake Mtn. facility was transferred to the state. The tower has been fully restored and is open to the public. It is also registered on the National Register of Historic Places, and the National Historic Lookout Register.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
1910--1905 Wood Tower (NYS-DEC photo, courtesy Bill Starr)
Crew that built original wooden tower - 1887 photo
Visit Reports
May 20, 2017: Laurie Rankin
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Steel structure could use a coat of paint. Plexiglass windows have been etched with names, starting to cloud. Wooden frames need repair/replacement. Wood in good condition on landings and steps, but needs paint. Observers cabin in great condition. Privy in good condition. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Signage in place. NHLR is located on Fire Tower Observer's cabin. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
Staffed by volunteers on weekends from Memorial Day to Columbus Day each year.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
Volunteers do all maintenance on the facilities in addition to greeting visitors as noted above, providing educational information and historical information.
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Photos |
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April 18, 2007: Rich C. Roller
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | The painting of the Tower was completed this past summer and a new map for the map table was installed(thanks Dave Clarke NJSAR) the landing's and stairs will be painted again this year.And a new Radio was installed (thanks Bryan Enberg NJSAR) |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | New signs were made (old school router type) by Rich Roller and a new Smokey was donated for the front door (thanks Jack Shuart NJSAR ) |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Yes
Many thanks to my great staff Pete O'Connor my right hand Peter O'connor JR Bryan sinniscalci (NY State Fire Warden) and Laurie and Tom.Also special thanks to BobSpear for all his help and guidence. Also special thanks to Kevin Drake my section warden NJFFS for his guidence.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |
July 11, 2005: Rich C. Roller
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Painting of the tower is currently underway. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Other enroachments? | THE INTERIOR OF THE TOWER CAB HAS BEEN REPAINTED ,AND THE EXTERIOR PAINTING IS UNDERWAY, COMMUNICATION'S HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND A NEW ANTENNA HAS BEEN INSTALLED. WEATHER REPORTS ARE GIVEN TO STERLING TOWER EVERY SAT. AND SUN. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Yes
WE ARE FULLY STAFFED AND OPEN FROM FRIDAY MORNING AT 0900 UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING AT 1700 HOURS AND INTO THE WEEK IF A HOLIDAY SHOULD FALL ON A WEEK DAY.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |
August 21, 2004: Rich C. Roller
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Awaiting delivery of paint from D.E.C. for the Tower new antenna to be installed on 8/28/04 for observer's radio. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Yes
Staffed by volunteer's Bill Watson (Chairman) Rich Roller, Pete O'Connor, Ken Kitchell. Tower is up and operational from friday morning 09:00 till sunday afternoon 16:00
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |
July 29, 2004: Bob Spear
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? | Yes |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | Yes |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |