High Knob Lookout (Jefferson NF)
US 227, VA 6
October 2015 photo by Bill Porter
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 227, VA 6 (view other lookouts in United States, Virginia) |
| Date Registered | September 1, 1997 |
| Nominated by | Joseph A. Marinangeli |
| Location |
High Knob Recreation Area Wise County, Virginia |
| Coordinates |
N 36° 53.563' W 082° 37.756' (view using Google Maps) N 36° 53' 34" W 082° 37' 45" N 36.892710° W 082.629264° |
| Elevation | 4,190 ft (1,277 m) |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Clinch Ranger District |
Description
High Knob Lookout on the Clinch Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest is the second lookout of this name to be listed on the NHLR in Virginia. The other High Knob (US#76, VA#01) is located on the George Washington National Forest. The original lookout was constructed by Company 2348 of the Civilian Conservation Corps of Norton, VA in 1938-39. It was a 14’ x 14’ hip roof live-in wooden ground house.
In 1978-79, the Job Corps’ Flatwoods Conservation Center -- also operated by the U.S. Forest Service -- built a three-story, eight-sided structure. A small visitor center was on the second floor and the lookout occupied the top floor. This lookout was destroyed by arson early on October 31, 2007. The current tower opened as a replacement in 2014.
In 1978-79, the Job Corps’ Flatwoods Conservation Center -- also operated by the U.S. Forest Service -- built a three-story, eight-sided structure. A small visitor center was on the second floor and the lookout occupied the top floor. This lookout was destroyed by arson early on October 31, 2007. The current tower opened as a replacement in 2014.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
Halloween 2007 Fire
1979-2007 tower
Visit Reports
October 18, 2015: Bill Porter
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Original tower on site destroyed in 2007 by arsonist. Local communities and state/federal politicians raised money to build new tower on site. Tower is slightly lower than old tower but has ramp for ADA access and is an open circular deck around a frame. New tower opened in 2014. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |