Louisa Fire Tower
US 99, VA 3
August 2019 photo
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 99, VA 3 (view other lookouts in United States, Virginia) |
| Date Registered | March 14, 1995 |
| Location | Louisa County, Virginia |
| Coordinates |
N 38° 01.667' W 078° 00.812' (view using Google Maps) N 38° 01' 40" W 078° 00' 49" N 38.027790° W 078.013539° |
| Elevation | 486 ft (148 m) |
| Administered by | Virginia Department of Forestry |
| Cooperators | Virginia Department of Forestry |
Description
Fire towers located adjacent to county forestry units were once common sights throughout the South, but the Louisa Fire Tower is the only example in Virginia. Built in 1944 by the CCC for the Virginia Forest Service -- now the VA Department of Forestry -- the 100’ Aermotor tower with 7’ x 7’ steel cab is maintained for emergency use.
Map
Change Basemap
Visit Reports
August 9, 2019: James Hull
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Not Applicable |
| Stairs OK? | Unsure |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | This firetower appears to have a fresh coat of paint, the windows appear to be intact, but the condition of the stairs and other aspects are unable to be determined remotely. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Other enroachments? | Of the many firetowers available this one is probably iconic given its prominent location, mechanical condition, and evident Department of Forestry maintenance efforts. A housing development is, however, being built immediately adjacent to the Department of Forestry property. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Unsure |
| Directions to tower signed? | Unsure |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
The Department of Forestry building located immediately adjacent to this tower was unmanned. A sign was posted with cell phone numbers to call for assistance, if required.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No |