Tip Top Tower
US 962, SC 16
September 2020 photo

September 2020 photo - courtesy of Christopher Armenti

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 962, SC 16 (view other lookouts in United States, South Carolina)
Date Registered January 27, 2013
Nominated by Ron Stafford
Location Sumter National Forest
Laurens County, South Carolina
Coordinates N 34° 29.833' W 081° 45.200' (view using Google Maps)
N 34° 29' 50" W 081° 45' 12"
N 34.497222° W 081.753333°
Elevation 581 ft (177 m)
Built 1936
Administered by U.S. Forest Service
Cooperators Enoree Ranger District

Description

Built around 1936, this 100' Aermotor LS-40 tower with 7'x7' metal cab with a low hip roof was used by the Forest Service until the 1980s.

Map

Change Basemap

Visit Reports

September 8, 2020: Christopher Armenti

Condition

Needs paint? No
Shutters OK? Not Applicable
Condition of wood OK? Yes
Stairs OK? Yes
Glass intact? No
Good condition? Yes
Comments: The tower looked to be in overall good condition. The cab was missing all the windows and some of the window frames were gone as well. A section of the stairway fencing near the top of the tower is hanging off. The lower section of steps had been removed to prevent access but there are signs of recent activity under the tower. The fence gate has been pulled off and is lying to the side, still chained to the fence, permitting access.

Electronics and Enroachments

Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? No
Other enroachments? The pines around the base are close to the tower but at most they are 20 feet tall

Access and Signs

NHLR sign posted? No
Directions to tower signed? Yes
Comments? There are no trespassing signs posted on the fence.

Staffing

Staffed? No

Opportunities for Volunteer Support

Volunteers staffing opportunities? No
Volunteer maintenance opportunities? Yes
The area around the base needs to be cleared, the fence repaired and some vines and other brush cleared. Due to the setting, a rehab of this tower's cab and periodic access to the cab would make it worth the effort.