Buckhorn Ridge Lookout
US 296, PA 8
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 296, PA 8 (view other lookouts in United States, Pennsylvania) |
| Date Registered | December 15, 1998 |
| Nominated by | Anthony J. Cardwell, District Forester |
| Location |
Delaware State Forest Pike County, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates |
N 41° 23.531' W 074° 49.980' (view using Google Maps) N 41° 23' 32" W 074° 49' 59" N 41.392175° W 074.833001° |
| Elevation | 1,474 ft (449 m) |
| Administered by | Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry |
| Cooperators | Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry |
Description
Buckhorn Ridge tower is one of the few remaining Blaw-Knox (as compared to the more common Aermotor brand) towers in Pennsylvania, and the only one in District 19. Located within the Delaware State Forest. The 60’ tower with 7’ x 7’ metal cab serves as a cooperative fire detection point with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. In active service, it overlooks the Gifford Pinchot estate (U.S. Forest Service) and the Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
Photo by Bill Starr, November 1, 2009
Photo by Mark Haughwout, January 1990
Photo by Mark Haughwout, January 1990
Photo by Mark Haughwout, January 1990
Visit Reports
June 6, 2021: Tom
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No |
| Condition of wood OK? | No |
| Stairs OK? | No |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | No |
| Comments: | In rough shape but still standing. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Other enroachments? | Trees are growing up against and are as tall if not taller than the tower. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Unsure |
Photos |
|
June 6, 2021 photo |
|
February 21, 2017: Jack Kelley
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No |
| Condition of wood OK? | No |
| Stairs OK? | No |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | No |
| Comments: | This tower is in terrible condition. Don't climb it. The steps are rotted and deteriorated and the whole thing shakes as you climb. The cab is no longer accessible, the door has been boarded up and a metal bar has been nailed across it. Whoever did this cared enough to close off the door, but not enough to close the open windows that still could be securely shut. The boards are loose and weak, and pieces of wood actually fell off some of the steps as I climbed down. The phone line is still strung up along the phone poles that still stand along the access road, as if the state always expected to come back. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | There are signs along Fire Tower Road in Milford (which doesn't look very maintained after you pass the houses) that point to the tower. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
This tower looks like it hasn't been staffed in a long, long time.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No |
Photos |
|
Photo courtesy of Jack Kelley |
|