Bell Knob Fire Tower
US 1148, WV 16
October 2015

October 2015 - courtesy of Brian M. Powell

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

Change Basemap

Photos

Stairs in October 2015

Stairs in October 2015 - courtesy of Brian M. Powell

Part of cab in October 2015

Part of cab in October 2015 - courtesy of Brian M. Powell

Tower in Fall 2009

Tower in Fall 2009 - courtesy of Andy FitzGibbon

Tower in Fall 2009

Tower in Fall 2009 - courtesy of Andy FitzGibbon

October 2008 photo

October 2008 photo - courtesy of Andy FitzGibbon

October 2008 photo

October 2008 photo - courtesy of Andy FitzGibbon

October 2008 photo

October 2008 photo - courtesy of Andy FitzGibbon

October 2008 photo

October 2008 photo - courtesy of Andy FitzGibbon

Bell Knob circa 1970

Bell Knob circa 1970 - courtesy of Talan Schoonover

1970s photo

1970s photo - courtesy of Talan Schoonover

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