Olson Tower
US 1151, WV 19
July 2004 photo
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 1151, WV 19 (view other lookouts in United States, West Virginia) |
| Date Registered | November 27, 2016 |
| Nominated by | Brian M. Powell |
| Location |
Monongahela National Forest Tucker County, West Virginia |
| Coordinates |
N 39° 06.409' W 079° 36.201' (view using Google Maps) N 39° 06' 25" W 079° 36' 12" N 39.106811° W 079.603355° |
| Elevation | 3,736 ft (1,139 m) |
| Built | 1963 |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Cheat-Potomac Ranger District |
Description
Built in 1963, Olson Tower replaces one of West Virginia's first observation towers, Backbone. It provides views of the Parsons area including the Blackwater River, Dry Fork, Black Fork, and Cheat River watersheds.
The tower was dedicated on September 29, 1963, in honor of Ernst B. "Pete" Olson, a fire control assistant for the Cheat Ranger District who was killed in a 1961 car accident near Parsons.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
July 2004 photo
Dedication Plaque in July 2004
Tower sign in July 2004
Visit Reports
May 16, 2020: Matt Butcher
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Tower in decent shape. Some glass broken. Lock broken from trap door. Unsure of floor condition. Sign put up by the forestry department to mark the tower has been broken and spray painted. Outbuildings look okay. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | Road taken good care of. Very narrow, however. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Unsure
Could use some trimming, paint, and minor repair work around the site.
|
July 31, 2019: Kristin Reynolds
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Not Applicable |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | 4WD is best. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | Sometimes |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Unsure |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |
Photos |
|
July 2019 photo |
|