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

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