Ivy Knob Fire Tower
US 1099, WV 10
Ron Stafford photo

Ron Stafford photo

Lookout Details

Registry Numbers US 1099, WV 10 (view other lookouts in United States, West Virginia)
Date Registered January 3, 2015
Nominated by James Davidson II
Location Raleigh County, West Virginia
Coordinates N 37° 47.262' W 081° 29.463' (view using Google Maps)
N 37° 47' 16" W 081° 29' 28"
N 37.787695° W 081.491054°
Elevation 3,619 ft (1,103 m)
Built 1924
Administered by West Virginia Division of Forestry

Description

Located on Guyandotte (Bolt) Mountain, Ivy Knob Fire Tower overlooks the headwaters of the Coal and Guyandotte rivers. The tower was built in 1924 by Emory "Pop" Wriston to replace an earlier 1916 tower at this site which was the first fire tower in West Virginia.

Map

Change Basemap

Photos

Ivy Knob Tower in 1931 - pictured are Dwight Daniel, Roy Milam, Velma Daniel Laverty, Emory Daniel, Ora Wilson Milam & Otha Laverty

Ivy Knob Tower in 1931 - pictured are Dwight Daniel, Roy Milam, Velma Daniel Laverty, Emory Daniel, Ora Wilson Milam & Otha Laverty

1972 photo by Rick Bradford

1972 photo by Rick Bradford

Visit Reports

November 1, 2016: Ronnie Scarbro

Condition

Needs paint? Yes
Shutters OK? No
Condition of wood OK? No
Stairs OK? No
Glass intact? No
Good condition? No
Comments: A fire at the tower damaged some of the stairs. The glass in the cab was also blown out by the fire. Overall, the tower is in poor condition.

Electronics and Enroachments

Are electronic sites enroaching on tower?

Access and Signs

NHLR sign posted? No
Directions to tower signed? No
Comments? An access road leads from WV 99 to the site.

Staffing

Staffed?

Opportunities for Volunteer Support

Volunteers staffing opportunities?
Volunteer maintenance opportunities?