Ben's Knob Fire Tower
US 1696, WV 27
Ben's Knob Fire Tower - 2022
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 1696, WV 27 (view other lookouts in United States, West Virginia) |
| Date Registered | October 16, 2022 |
| Nominated by | Rocco Germani |
| Location |
Privately Owned Land Hampshire County, West Virginia |
| Coordinates |
N 39° 15.464' W 078° 31.556' (view using Google Maps) N 39° 15' 28" W 078° 31' 33" N 39.257735° W 078.525926° |
| Elevation | 2,028 ft (618 m) |
| Built | 1952-53 |
| Administered by | Private Land Owner |
| Cooperators | West Virginia Division of Forestry |
Description
Ben's Knob Fire Tower is an Aermotor LS-40 7x7 all steel cab and 60 foot tower constructed circa 1952-53.
Last staffing by the West Virginia Division of Forestry is unknown. By 2017, it had been disposed from the Division's inventory and is located on private land.
A residence cabin may survive on the property as well.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
June 2023 photo
Visit Reports
June 19, 2023: Rocco Germani
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | The site at Ben's Knob has been used for fire observation since 1916, but the current 60-foot Aermotor LS-40 and ground cabin were built in 1952. Today the tower still stands tall and in impressive shape given its age, as all the boards are still intact, and some glass still remains in the cab. The cab also seems to have some remanence of shelving remaining within it, which as of my visit had a birds nest on top of it. As of now, the tower is mostly overtaken by the pine trees surrounding it, which look like they were deliberately planted in a row to perhaps block wind. Despite that, you can still see out all four sides of the tower, as the trees rise up around the corners. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | |
| Directions to tower signed? | |
| Comments? | Access by permission of landowner |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No |