Buck Hill Fire Tower
US 808, RI 4
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 808, RI 4 (view other lookouts in United States, Rhode Island) |
| Date Registered | June 23, 2009 |
| Nominated by | Henry Isenberg |
| Location |
Town of Burrillville Providence County, Rhode Island |
| Coordinates |
N 41° 58.628' W 071° 46.855' (view using Google Maps) N 41° 58' 38" W 071° 46' 51" N 41.977130° W 071.780910° |
| Elevation | 730 ft (223 m) |
| Built | 1938 |
| Administered by | RI Dept. of Environmental Mgmt. |
| Cooperators | RI Dept. of Environmental Mgmt. |
Description
A 65' steel tower with a unique 8'x8' cab, Buck Hill Fire Tower is the only lookout in Rhode Island with a catwalk. During World War II this tower was able to listen in on German radio broadcasts and relay their movements to Allied forces landing on Normandy beaches during the D-day invasion. This tower is one of only two still standing for fire detection within the Blackstone Valley of Rhode island.
Map
Change Basemap
Visit Reports
July 28, 2017: Gil Woodside
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | No |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Lookout is in good general condition. Some of the upper stairs are a bit soft. Other notes: quite a bit of tower movement when climbing, door to the cab is rotted and hard to use, multiple panes of glass are cracked or have been shot, floor is spongy in a few places in the cab and bee/hornet infestation. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Comments: | Multiple antennae bolted to railing around cab. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | No public access |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Unsure |
Photos |
|
Looking towards Chopmist from Buck Hill |
|
November 20, 2016: Jack Kelley
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | No Response |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Unlike most Rhode Island towers, the Buck Hill tower is in good condition. The steps look fine, and the cab has no obvious damage, with the fence being intact. This is probably the best condition tower still standing in Rhode Island. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
Rhode Island stopped staffing towers in the 90's.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No |
Photos |
|
Photo courtesy of Jack Kelley |
|