Leonard Hill Fire Tower
US 1205, NY 42

Photo courtesy of Laurie Rankin

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 1205, NY 42 (view other lookouts in United States, New York)
Date Registered June 9, 2017
Nominated by Laurie Rankin
Location Leonard Hill State Forest
Schoharie County, New York
Coordinates N 42° 27.062' W 074° 21.174' (view using Google Maps)
N 42° 27' 04" W 074° 21' 10"
N 42.451035° W 074.352892°
Elevation 2,626 ft (800 m)
Built 1948
Administered by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Description

The 80-foot Aeromotor LS40 fire tower on Leonard Hill was originally constructed in 1934 in Gilbert Lake State Par in Oneonta County. It was moved to its current location in 1948 were it was in operation until 1988. The fire tower is currently closed to the public.

Map

Change Basemap

Visit Reports

April 23, 2017: Jack Kelley

Condition

Needs paint? Yes
Shutters OK? Not Applicable
Condition of wood OK? No
Stairs OK? No
Glass intact? No
Good condition? No
Comments: This tower is for the most part structurally sound, despite no maintenance for 30-odd years. The bottom two sets of stairs have been removed to prevent climbing and possible injury. The cab floor is gone to due a fire set by vandals some time ago, but despite all these factors, and the long abandonment, with some love it looks like this tower could be restored with more ease than some others. There are cabin remains along the access road under the tower.

Electronics and Enroachments

Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? No

Access and Signs

NHLR sign posted? No
Directions to tower signed? No
Comments? The "Leonard Hill State Forest" sign was missing from it's signpost at the beginning of the tower's access road.

Staffing

Staffed? No
This tower has not been regularly staffed since 1988.

Opportunities for Volunteer Support

Volunteers staffing opportunities? No
Volunteer maintenance opportunities? Yes
Inquiries about possible restoration are to be sent to Laurie Rankin.