Tower with owner Skip Jones in 2017
Registry Numbers | US 1221, VA 39 (view other lookouts in United States, Virginia) |
Date Registered | July 8, 2017 |
Nominated by | Brian Powell |
Location | Highland County, Virginia |
Coordinates |
N 38° 23.747' W 079° 33.833' (view using Google Maps) N 38° 23' 45" W 079° 33' 50" N 38.395783° W 079.563883° |
Elevation | 3,983 ft (1,214 m) |
Built | originally 1935, rebuilt 2017 |
Removed | removed 2002, later reinstalled |
Administered by | Hammill "Skip" Jones |
Located atop Jack Mountain east of Monterey, 80-foot Sounding Knob Tower was built in 1935 for the Virginia Department of Forestry by CCC workers. The tower was staffed until the 1960s. After years of abandonment, the tower was removed in 2002. It was bought by by local businessman Steve Good of Highland Welding, who salvaged and stored the components.
In 2016, the tower was purchased by Hammill "Skip" Jones. Working with Highland Welding and the Virginia Department of Forestry, the tower's components received a comprehensive overhaul including re-galvanization and new wooden stair treads. It was reinstalled at Sounding Knob in 2017 with a public dedication ceremony on July 8, 2017.
The tower is privately owned by Skip Jones. Access to the tower is gated, but Jones plans to periodically allow the public free access. As of November 2020, the tower and cab are being left open indefinitely for the public to visit during daylight hours.
Tower in July 2017
View of Monterey
Owner Skip Jones in cab