Goodnow Mountain Fire Tower
US 537, NY 24

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 537, NY 24 (view other lookouts in United States, New York)
Date Registered December 4, 2003
Location Essex County, New York
Coordinates N 43° 57.610' W 074° 12.590' (view using Google Maps)
N 43° 57' 37" W 074° 12' 35"
N 43.960170° W 074.209830°
Elevation 2,690 ft (820 m)
Administered by NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Cooperators College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University and Town of Newcomb, New York

Description

The 60’ Aermotor LS-40 tower with 7’x7’ metal cab on Goodnow Mountain was built by the NY Dept. of Conservation in 1922 and staffed until 1970 when fire towers were gradually phased out. Located near the heart of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, it is reached by a 3 mile trail to a 2,690’ peak on the 5,000 acre Huntington Forest owned by the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University. The College and the Town of Newcomb partnered an exemplary restoration effort in 1995.

Additional information and photos courtesy of Bill Starr, NHLR Registrar: "This site is on land owned by the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry and is attached to the Huntington Forest in Newcomb. This land was originally logged by the Huntingtons', and an old two stall horse barn, and concrete slab of another building for the logging operations are past on the foot trail to the fire tower. The tower has been restored by SUNY-ESF, and is open to the public. The station is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, and the National Historic Lookout Register."

Map

Change Basemap

Photos

May 2002 (Bill Starr photo)

May 2002 (Bill Starr photo)

May 2002--Model 1928 Cabin (Bill Starr photo)

May 2002--Model 1928 Cabin (Bill Starr photo)

Visit Reports

February 25, 2017: Laurie Rankin

Condition

Needs paint? Yes
Shutters OK? Not Applicable
Condition of wood OK? No
Stairs OK? No
Glass intact? No
Good condition? No
Comments: Fire Tower needs maintenance soon before deterioration requires replacement of steps and landing boards. A large amount of graffiti is on the fire tower, which needs to be painted. The Observers cabin needs maintenance soon, including a new roof. Trailhead register box needs attention.

Electronics and Enroachments

Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? Yes
Comments: Repeater equipment is on the fire tower and solar panels on the Observer's cabin roof.

Access and Signs

NHLR sign posted? No
Directions to tower signed? Yes
Comments? Access is well signed. Trail is very wet.

Staffing

Staffed? No

Opportunities for Volunteer Support

Volunteers staffing opportunities? Yes
Volunteer maintenance opportunities? Yes
In the past SUNY ESF has staffed the tower and done maintenance. I have not heard any mention of visitors seeing a volunteer or staff at the tower. Certainly the tower needs maintenance.

Photos