October 2015
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 1148, WV 16 (view other lookouts in United States, West Virginia) |
| Date Registered | November 27, 2016 |
| Nominated by | Brian M. Powell |
| Location |
Monongahela National Forest Grant County, West Virginia |
| Coordinates |
N 39° 00.008' W 079° 19.394' (view using Google Maps) N 39° 00' 01" W 079° 19' 24" N 39.000141° W 079.323228° |
| Elevation | 4,143 ft (1,263 m) |
| Built | 1943 |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
Description
Located high atop the Allegheny Front near Dolly Sods, Bell Knob Fire Tower was built with a wooden cab atop 30' steel legs. It was originally built along Rohrbaugh Plains Trail in 1931 and relocated to this site in 1943.
Portions of the cab collapsed prior to October 2015, although the cab platform, steel legs, and stairs remain.
Map
Photos
Stairs in October 2015
Part of cab in October 2015
Tower in Fall 2009
Tower in Fall 2009
October 2008 photo
October 2008 photo
October 2008 photo
October 2008 photo
Bell Knob circa 1970
1970s photo
Visit Reports
August 4, 2020: Krissy Reynolds
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | No |
| Stairs OK? | No |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | No |
| Comments: | The stairs are only manageable for the first flight or so up. The second set is loose and the top is still locked so even if you make it up, you can’t go up to what would have been the cab. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | Short walk to tower. Sign along FR 75 does not list tower, likely because of its condition. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No |
Photos |
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