Maine Fire Lookouts

There are 143 known Maine Lookout sites
(Page last updated 12/31/2011)

# Tower Location County Status Condition Cond Date Tower Height Install Date Removal or Deterioration Date Last Update
                     
1 Abraham Mt. Mt. Abraham Township Franklin Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - ?, 2 - 12' 1 - 1924, 2 - 1936 N/A 8/17/2011
2 Agamenticus Mt. York York Standing Good 2011 1 - 24', 2 - 47', 3 - 54'  1 - 1918, 2- 1934, 3 - 1941 1 - 1934, 2 - 1941, 3 - N/A 12/4/2011
3 Allagash Mt. T7, R16 Piscataquis Standing Good 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 27' 1 - 1916, 2 - 1924 N/A 7/30/2011
4 Almanac Mt. Lakeville Plantation Penobscot Standing Good 2011 1 - 48', 2 - 60' 1 - 1914, 2 - 1967 1 - 1927, 2 - N/A 9/15/2011
5 Ararat Mt.. Topsham Sagadhoc Standing Good 2011 47'  1 - 1931 N/A 8/17/2011
6 Atherton Hill Windham Cumberland Gone N/A N/A 60' 1 - 1946 Removed and shipped to CT in 2000 6/16/2006
7 Attean Mt. Attean Township Somerset Gone N/A N/A Unknown 1 - 1905 Removed prior to 1932 5/23/2006
8 Aziscoos Lincoln Plantation Oxford Gone N/A N/A 1 - Ground, 2 - 10', 3 - 24', 4 - 24' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1917, 3 - 1919, 4 - 1929 Purposely collapsed between 1976 and 1985.  Removed 2004 4/5/2006
9 Bald Mt. Baring Washington Gone N/A N/A 100' Circa 1937 Collapsed around 1960 9/10/2011
10 Barren Mt. Elliotsville Plantation Piscataquis Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 48' 1951 N/A 8/17/2011
11 Bear Mt. Hartford Oxford Gone N/A N/A 40' 1934 Dismantled sometime between late 1950 and 1961 3/4/2006
12 Beatle Mt. T7, R9 Piscataquis Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - 12', 2 - 12', 3 - 48' 1 - 1913, 2 - 1917,3 - 1930 N/A 5/3/2011
13 Beech Mt. Southwest Harbor Hancock  Standing Good 2011 1 - Ground, 2 - 20'    1 - 1943, 2 - 1962 N/A 10/11/2011
14 Big Moose Mt. (Squaw) T2, R6 Piscataquis Gone N/A 2011 1 - 22', 2 - 12' 1 - 1905, 2 - 1919 Moved to NREC Greenvile on 10/12/2011 10/12/2011
15 Big Spencer Mt Spencer Bay Township Piscataquis Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - 20', 2 - 12 ' 1 - 1906, 2 - 1927 N/A 6/8/2011
16 Bigelow Mt. Dead River Township Somerset Gone N/A 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 38' (lowered 20' in the 30's), 3 - Ground 1 - 1905, 2 - 1917, 3 - 1965 Burned by Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands on 4/15/2011 4/30/2011
17 Black Cat Mt. T1, R9 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1919 Removed and re-located to Trout Mountain in 1931 3/3/2006
18 Blackstrap Hill Falmouth  Cumberland Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1931 Original re-located to Opportunity Hill in 1942.  Current Fire Tower-like structure for radio use only. 2/3/2011
19 Blue Hill Blue Hill Hancock  Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1951 Removed at the landowner's request in 2005 1/3/2006
20 Boarstone Mt. Elliotsville Plantation Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - Ground 1 - 1913 Removed at the landowner's request in 1950 7/30/2006
21 Boundary Bald Mt. T4, R3 Somerset Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 15', 3 - 35 1 - 1911, 2 - 1914, 3 - 1937 Collapsed between 1971 and 1976 7/30/2006
22 Burnt Mt. T5, R10 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 40' 1 - 1924 Removed between 2004 and 2005 7/30/2006
23 Camp Colby T6, R7 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 20' Circa 1942 Collapsed between 1989 and 1999 4/8/2006
24 Carr Pond Mt. T13, R8 Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - 48' 1 - 1925 Collapsed between 1998 and 2003 10/30/2007
25 Cedar Mt. Parsonsfield York Gone N/A N/A 1 - 48' 1- 1919 Moved to Effingham NH in 1922 3/8/2006
26 Center Mt. T4, R10 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 12' 1 - 1919 Unknown 2/6/2006
27 Chase Hill Canaan Somerset Standing Good 2011 1 - 60" 1 - 1931  N/A 9/19/2011
28 Chase Mt. Mt. Chase Township Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 16' 1 - 1909, 2 - 1917 Relocated to the Patten Lumbermans Museum in 2001 8/18/2006
29 Chick Hill (Peaked Mtn) Clifton Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 35' 1 - 1947 Removed between 1976 and 1993 9/23/2006
30 City Camps T4, R9 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - Ground 1 - 1912 Site abandoned circa 1914 4/29/2006
31 Clear Lake T10, R11 Piscataquis Standing Fair 2011 24-Jan 1 - 1929 N/A 9/28/2011
32 Cobb Hill (Burke Hill or Lookout Mountain) Lee Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - Ground 1 - 1913 Moved to a private camp on Nunber 3 Pond in 1919. 6/3/2006
33 Coburn Mt. Upper Enchanted township Somerset Standing Structure Only - Observation 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 24', 3 - 24' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1914, 3 - 1938 N/A 3/26/2011
34 Cook Hill Vassalboro Kennebec Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 -1949 Disassembled in 2000 and placed in storage 4/3/2009
35 Cooper Hill (West Ridge) Cooper Washington Standing Poor 2009 1 - 52', 2 - 70, 3 - 80' 1 - 1913, 2 - 1925, 3 - 1937 N/A 10/5/2009
36 Deasey Mt. T3, R7 Penobscot Standing Good 2011 1 - Ground 1 - 1929 N/A 8/20/2011
37 Deboullie Mt. T15, R9 Aroostook Standing Fair 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 12', 3 - 48' 1 - 1919 2 - 1921, 3 - 1929 N/A 6/11/2011
38 Dedham Bald Dedham Hancock  Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1921 Dismantled and moved to Canada in Nov. 2009 7/25/2009
39 Deer Mt. T4, R2 Oxford Gone N/A N/A 1 - 39' 1 - 1915, 2 -1926 Dismantled in 1950 9/2/2006
40 Depot Mt. T14, R16 Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - Tree, 2 - 60' 1 - 1909, 2 - 1914 Removed between 1995 and 2005 5/22/2006
41 Dill Ridge Lakeville Plantation Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 48' 1 - 1927 Moved back to Almanac Mtn in 1967 6/5/2006
42 Doubletop Mt. T3, R10 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 48' 1 - 1913, 2 - 1918 Toppled between 1955 and 1979,  removed between 1996 and 2003 6/1/2006
43 Flagstaff Mt. Flagstaff Plantation Somerset Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2009 1 - 50' 1 - 1917 N/A 5/15/2009
44 Frye Mt. Montville Waldo Gone N/A N/A 1 - 20' 1 - 1931 Dissasembled in 2005 and moved to Swan Island 4/7/2006
45 Grand Lake Stream (Indian Hill) Grand Lake Stream Twshp Washington Standing Fair 2011 1 - 32' 1 - 1934 N/A 10/1/2011
46 Green Mt. Dolebrook Township Somerset Standing Bad   2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 60' 1 - 1913, 2 - 1920 N/A 7/1/2011
47 Hardwood Mt. T9, R18 Somerset Gone N/A N/A 1 - 75' 1 - 1916 Removed in 1986 5/16/2011
48 Harris Mt. Dixmont Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 43' 1 - 1945 Removed in 2006.  Some parts of the tower moved to the PA Forest Fire Museum 8/22/2006
49 Haystack Mt. Castle Hill Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk 1 - 1914 N/A 6/14/2006
50 Hedgehog Mt. T15, R6 Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - 24' 1 - 1910 Removed in 1978 5/14/2006
51 High Cut Hill Garland Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 65' 1 - 1944 Removed between 1971 and 1972 6/7/2006
52 Horeshoe Mt. (Rocky Brook) T11, R10 Aroostook Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - 20', 2 - 45' 1 - 1935, 2 - 1951 N/A 6/10/2011
53 Horse Mt. T6, R8 Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 10', 2 - 15' 1 - 1915, 2 - 1917 Torn down and burned by the Baxter State Park Authority in 1999 3/20/2011
54 Howe Brook T8, R3 Aroostook Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2010 1 - 75' 1 - 1930 N/A 5/5/2010
55 Hunt Mt.. T3, R7 Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - Unknown Moved to Lawler Hill in 1931 2/27/2006
56 Johnston Hill Bremen Lincoln Standing Fair 2011 1 - 60' 1 - 1948 N/A 9/13/2011
57 Jo-Mary Mt. TA, R10 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - Unk 1 - 1913 Removed in the 1920s 7/12/2006
58 Katahdin Mt. T3, R9 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - Ground 1 - 1913 Lookout Platform removed circa 1920 4/4/2006
59 Kelly Mt. Brighton Township Somerset Standing Poor 2011 1 - 40' 1 - 1925 N/A 10/1/2011
60 Kibby Mt. T1, R7 Franklin Standing Structure Only - Observation 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 50, 3 - 60', 4 - 60' 1 - 1906, 2 - 1914, 3 - 1926 N/A 6/1/2011
61 Kineo Mt. Day's Academy Grant Somerset Standing Structure Only - Observation 2011 1 - 10', 2 - 20', 3 - 64' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1915, 3 - 1917 N/A 6/27/2011
62 Lawler Hill Benedicta Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - 28', 2 - 60' 1 - 1914, 2 - 1931 Removed in 1978 8/20/2006
63 Lead Mt. T28 MD Hancock  Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 36' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1914 Taken down in 1996 and left on-site 11/11/2011
64 Lily Bay Mt. Frenchtown Township Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 40' 1 - 1915 Abandoned in 1918 12/11/2005
65 Little Russel Mt. T5, R16 Somerset Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - 48' 1 - 1920 N/A 7/1/2011
66 Littles Mt. Edmunds Washington Standing Fair 2011 1 - 40', 2 - 65' 1 - 1951, 2 - 1963 N/A 9/9/2011
67 Mattamiscontis Mt. T3, R9 NWP Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 48' 1 - 1914, 2 - 1917 Removd in the 1970s 5/23/2000
68 May Mt. Island Falls Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - 48' 1 - 1920 Removed in June 2011 to make way for a radio tower 6/27/2011
69 McLain Mt.  Waite Washington Gone N/A N/A Unknown Unknown Unknown 8/18/2006
70 Medford Mt.(Wentworth Hill) Medford Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1950 Moved to a PA private landowner in 2005 4/18/2006
71 Millinocket Hill Millinocket Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 30' 1 - 1934 Removed in 1955 5/1/2006
72 Mitchell Mt. Haynesville Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - 36', 2 - 36' 1 - 1918, 2 - 1927 Abandoned in 1950 8/18/2006
73 Mitten Mt. (Milton) Centerville Washington Standing Poor 2010 1 - 20', 2 - 60' 1 - 1930c, 2 - 1948 N/A 7/2/2010
74 Moxie Bald Mt. T2, R3 Somerset Gone N/A N/A 1 - Ground, 2 - 12' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1919 Removed by the Maine Forest Service in 1994 2/21/2006
75 Mt. Blue Weld Franklin Gone N/A N/A 1 - 40' 1 - 1932 Removed in September 2011 to make way for a radio tower 9/6/2011
76 Mt. Hill (Haskell Hill) Jefferson Lincoln Gone N/A N/A 1 - 47', 2 - 50' 1 - 1928, 2 - 1931 Moved to a private landowner in 2007 8/1/2007
77 Mt. Hope Sanford York Standing Good 2011 1 - 72' 1 - 1962 N/A 9/6/2011
78 Mulcalsea Mt. T5, R16 Somerset Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk 1 - 1913 N/A 9/21/2009
79 Musquacook Mt. T14, R12  Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1925 Moved to Round Pond Mountain in 1946 4/18/2006
80 Musquash Mt. Topsfield Washington Standing Bad 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 36', 3 - ? 1 - 1913, 2 - 1928, 3 - ? N/A 8/10/2011
81 Norway Bluff T9, R9 WELS Piscataquis Standing Good 2011 1 - 24' 1 - 1914 N/A 8/19/2011
82 Nulhedus Mt. T4, R17 Somerset Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - 60' 1 - 1914 N/A 5/25/2011
83 Number 4 Mt. Frenchtown Township Piscataquis Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 48' 1 - 1913, 2 - 1925 N/A 8/10/2011
84 Number 5 Mt. T6, R7 Somerset Standing Poor 2011 1 - 47'  1 - 1933 N/A 5/25/2011
85 Number 9 Mt. TD, R2 Aroostook Standing Good 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 10', 3 - 36' 1 - 1914, 2 - 1915, 3 - 1919 N/A 6/12/2011
86 Oak Hill T8, R5 Aroostook Standing Good 2011 1 - 75' 1 - 1924 N/A 8/19/2011
87 Old Speck Mt. Grafton Notch Oxford Standing Structure Only - Observation 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 40' 1 - 1914, 2 - 1919 N/A 8/3/2011
88 Opportunity Farm New Gloucester Cumberland Gone N/A N/A 1 - 50' 1 - 1942 Disassembled in 1997.  The steel went to Bald Hill in Rangeley.  The cab sits on private property in Fryeburg. 7/30/2006
88A Oquossoc Bald Rangeley Franklin Standing Structure Only - Observation 2011 1 - 24' 1 - 1999 N/A 12/23/2011
89 Ossipee Hill Waterboro York Standing Fair 2011 1 - 35', 1 - 35' 1 - 1918, 2 - 1947 N/A 7/16/2011
90 Otter Lake Mountain T3, R4 Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 48' 1 - 1912, 2 - 1918 Unknown 11/3/1999
91 Oxbow T9, R6 Aroostook Gone N/A N/A 1 - 20' 1 - 20's Unknown 10/8/1999
92 Passadumkeag Mt. Grand Falls Plantation Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 36' 1 - 1919 Toppled between 1978 and 2000 8/7/2006
93 Peakaboo Mt. Weston Aroostook Standing Good 2011 1 - 59' 1 - 1950 N/A 7/24/2011
94 Peaked Mt. T30 MD Washington Gone N/A N/A 1 - 36' 1 - 1932 Removed between 1993 and 1999 7/28/2005
95 Picket Mt.  Lang Plantation Franklin Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk 1 - 1917 Abandoned in 1921 6/19/1996
96 Pirate Hill T11, R3 NBBP Washington Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1925 Removed between 1969 and 1998 6/1/1998
97 Pisgah Mt. Winthrop Kennebec Standing  Good 2011 1 - 60' 1 - 1949 N/A 7/31/2011
98 Pleasant Mt. Denmark Oxford Standing Good 2011 1 - 48' 1 - 1920 N/A 8/18/2011
99 Pleasant Pond Mt. Caratunk Plantation Somerset Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 35' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1917 Moved to Barren Mountain in 1951 7/14/2006
100 Poccomoonshine Mt. Princeton Washington Gone N/A N/A 1 - 58', 2 - 73' 1 - 1917, 2 - 1934 Removed in the 1970's 7/13/2006
101 Pogey Mt. T4, R8 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk 1 - 1916 Collapsed before the 1930 9/8/2006
102 Priestly Mt. T10, R13 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 22', 2 - 24' 1 - 1910, 2- 1929 Removed in July 2009 to make way for a radio tower 5/5/2011
103 Ragged Mt. T4, Indian Purchase Penobscot Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 36' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1918 N/A 5/25/2011
104 Ridley Hill Shapliegh York Gone N/A N/A 1 - 50' 1 - 1940 Removed at the landowners request in 1963 10/15/2006
105 Rocky Mountain T18, R12 Aroostook Standing Fair 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 10', 3 - 48' 1 - 1907, 2 - 1917, 3 - 1921 N/A 8/5/2011
106 Rollins Mt. Lincoln Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 83' 1 - 1913, 2 - 1951 Removed in the 1970s 5/7/2006
107 Roost (The Roost) Batchelders Grant Oxford Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk 1 - 1940 Removed in the 1940s 5/9/2006
108 Ross Mt. T10, R16 Aroostook Standing Fair 2011 1 - 60' 1 - 1914 N/A 9/15/2011
109 Round Mt. Alder Stream Twp Franklin Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk 1 - Unk Unknown 3/7/2006
110 Round Mt. T11, R8 Aroostook Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - Unk, 3 - 48' 1 - 1909, 2, 1916, 3 - 1918 N/A 6/11/2011
111 Round Pond Mt. T13, R12 Aroostook Standing Structure Only - Observation 2011 1 - 65' 1 - 1946 N/A 8/3/2011
112 Sabao Mt. T41 MD Hancock  Gone N/A N/A 1 - 36' 1 - 1937 Removed prior to 1973 6/5/2003
113 Sabattus Mt. Lovell Oxford Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1939 Dissassembled in 1962 and moved to Mount Hope 4/1/2006
114 Saddleback Mt. Sandy River Plantation Franklin Gone N/A N/A 1 - 36' 1 - 1913 Shortened and converted to a radio tower in the early 70s and finaly removed in the 80s 5/30/2006
115 Sally Mt. Attean Township Somerset Gone N/A N/A 1 - 20', 2 - 20' 1 - 1908, 2 - 1909 Abandoned in 1933 7/1/2007
116 Sargent Mt. Bar Harbor Hancock  Gone N/A N/A 1 - Ground 1 - 1941 Abandoned and removed circa 1950 6/5/1996
117 Schoodic Mt. T9 SD Hancock  Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - Ground, 2- 24' 1 - 1914, 2 - 1920 N/A 6/6/2011
118 Snow Mt. (Chain of Ponds) Alder Stream Twp Franklin Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 24' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1914 N/A 8/25/2011
119 Soper Mt. T8, R12 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 12', 3 - 27' 1 - 1909, 2 - 1916, 3- 1924 Removed between 1993 and 1996 9/24/2006
120 Soubunge Mt. T4, R11 Piscataquis Standing  Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - 12, 2 - 16' 1 - 1918, 2 - 1919 N/A 8/21/2011
121 Speckled Mt. Stoneham Oxford Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk, 2 - 15', 3 - 36', 4 - 40' 1 - 1914, 2 - 1917, 3 - 1919, 4 - 1933 Re-located to Streaked Mountain in 1987 3/4/2006
122 Spoon Mt. T8, R7 Penobscot Gone N/A N/A 1 - 30', 2 - 45', 3 - 50' 1 - 1916, 2 - 1920, 3 - 1936 Cut down in 1978 and left. 9/24/2006
123 Spruce Mt. Woodstock  Oxford Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk 1 - Unk  Unknown 6/5/1996
124 Squa-Pan Mt. (Squa-Pan Knob); (Hedgehog Mtn.) T11, R4 Aroostook Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - 26', 2 - 48' 1 - 1918, 2 - 1926 N/A 7/4/2011
125 Stockholm Mt. Stockholm Aroostook Standing Fair 2011 1 - 75' 1 - 1924 N/A 6/1/2011
126 Storey Hill Wade Aroostook Gone N/A N/A  1 - 25' 1 - 1950 Removed circa 1995 6/5/1996
127 Streaked Mt. Buckfield Oxford Standing Good 2011 1 - 34', 2 - 37' 1 - 1950, 2 - 1987 N/A 8/12/2011
128 Taylor Hill Alexander Washington Gone N/A N/A 1 - Cupola 1 - 1913 Removed circa 1936 4/15/2006
129 Three Brooks Mt. T15, R6 Aroostook Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - 48' 1 - 1914 N/A 10/6/2011
130 Trout Brook Mt. T6, R9 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 12' 1 - 1910 Burned in 1915 6/6/2011
131 Trout Mt. T2, R9 Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1931 Toppled between 1972 and 1995 4/15/2003
132 Tug Mt. T30 MD Washington Gone N/A N/A 1 - Unk 1 - 1913 Abandoned circa 1928 6/5/1996
133 Tumbledown Mt. T5, R6 BKP WKR Somerset Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2010 1 - Unk, 2 - 24' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1914 N/A 6/16/2010
134 Wadleigh Mt. T1, R12 Piscataquis Standing Fair 2010 1 - 36' 1 - 1927 N/A 8/17/2010
135 Washington Bald Mt. T42 MD Washington Gone N/A N/A 1 - 55', 2 - 70 1 - 1918, 2 - 1934 Landowner cut it down in 2007 11/20/2007
136 Wesley Mt. (Day Hill) Wesley Washington Standing Structure Only - No Cab 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 50' 1 - 1910, 2 - 1937 N/A 9/12/2011
137 West Kennebago Mt. Upper Cupsuptic Township Oxford Standing Good 2011 1 - Unk, 2- 24' 1 - 1911, 2 - 1914 N/A 6/17/2011
138 White Cap Mt. T7, R10 NWP Piscataquis Gone N/A N/A 1 - 12', 2 - 12', 3 - 24' 1 - 1906, 2 - 1914, 3- 1920 Removed in 1993 11/12/2006
139 Whitney Hill (Macwahoc) Macwahoc Plantation Aroostook Standing Poor 2010 1 - 73' 1 - 1929 N/A 10/17/2010
140 Williams Mt. Misery Township Somerset Standing Poor 2011 1 - Unk, 2 - 48' 1 - 1911, 2 - 1914 N/A 6/1/2011
141 York Hill New Sharon Franklin Standing Poor 2011 1 - 65' 1 - 1948 N/A 12/29/2011
142 Zircon Mt. Milton Township Oxford Gone N/A N/A 1 - 60' 1 - 1922 Cab and Lightning Shack burned in 1975, Steel cut down in and left in 1976 5/15/2009
Total
Sites

Total
Standing
Active

Total
Standing
Inactive		Total
No Longer
Standing
Totals1433 57 83

Table Keys
Tower Survey Key:

+ - National Historic Lookout Register
? - Not Confirmed
1 - , 2 - denotes tower #1 or tower #2 in history for those sites that have had multiple

2011 Tower Survey Results
There were 4 towers lost this year (Big Moose, Mount Blue, Bigelow, and May Mountain) and 1 cab removal (Wesely).

Summary:
Total Known Tower Sites – 143
Total Towers Still Standing – 60
Total Towers Gone or Removed - 83

Of the 60 Standing Towers:
Standing Steel Only, No Cab – 19
Standing Steel Converted to Observ. - 6
Standing Steel and Cab – 34
Standing Wooden Enclosed – 1

Average Condition of the 34 Standing
Towers with Cabs:
Good Condition – 16
Fair Condition – 10
Poor Condition – 7
Bad Condition – 2

Maine Fire Tower Updates for 2011

12/31/2011 - Statewide survey Complete

See above for the results of the annual statewide tower survey. This year we saw an uptick in tower removals, largely due to the State's MSCommNet Communications Upgrade projects.

12/30/2011 - Deboullie Mountain Update

Deboullie Mountain has been the home to a (non-operational) forest lookout tower and is also an operational State of Maine public safety radio communications site.

The MSCommNet project is a consolidation and modernization of the State’s numerous and outdated radio systems. One of the guiding principles of site selection was to continue to use existing sites, generally for two reasons …

1.      Technical.  The existing operational sites that have persisted throughout the State provide the best geographical radio coverage (otherwise they would have been discontinued as with other subprime sites)

2.      Aesthetics.  Continuing to use existing operational sites reduces the total  tower “footprint” throughout the state; avoiding the creation of developing new openings on  mountaintops

Various individuals and organizations were not in favor of the continuing use of the Deboullie Mountain site for public safety radio communications; therefore, the MSCommNet Project Office sought an alternate location in the area that would provide similar local geographic coverage, as well as interconnectivity to the statewide system.

Alternate site acquisition was a challenging and lengthy process and we have now acquired and will develop an alternate site, which is south of Deboullie in the vicinity of the Chase Ponds area in T14 R9 WELS. (update from the MSCommNet Project Office)

12/30/2011 - Mount Blue Update

Construction has been ongoing on the new fire tower look-alike up on Mount Blue in Avon. The old steel remains of the fire tower were removed early September. FFLA investivated a new home for the steel, but because it was only 2 sections of steel and did not have any stairs, there were no takers. The tower will be sent to scrap.

As of early December, the Mount Blue site is mostly constructed. There were delays in construction due to weather and short days. Currently, the tower structure has been flown into place, but the site will not be complete until 2012. Once complete, the summit will again be open to hikers who will be able to access the new observation deck!

Until the summit is open, the State would ask that everyone stay clear of all construction areas until the project is complete and safe.

See the below APCO International article on the development of the concept and further info on this unique project.

APCO International Article on new tower


Tower being lowered via Helo
(Maine State OIT Photo)


New footing on Mt. Blue in October
(Maine State OIT Photo)

10/12/2011 - Big Moose Fire Tower Removed

The forest fire lookout tower on the summit of Big Moose Mountain in Big Moose Twp, Maine was finally retired and flown back down the mountain to be relocated in Greenville, near the shore of Moosehead Lake.  On 10/12/2011 crews from the Maine Forest Service flew the Big Moose Fire tower off the summit and down to the RT15 property of the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) in Greenville. 

The steelwork was flown to the NREC site via MFS helicopter. The watch cab came down in 4 seperate cargo nets but will not likely be reassembled due to their condition.

FFLA News Page

Bangor Daily News Story

Natural Resource Education Center (NREC)

 


Steel being dropped at the NREC site
(Maine Forest Service Photo)

9/20/2011 - Big Spencer Watchman's Camp Removed

The old watchman's camp that stood on Big Spencer Mountain has been torn down. This camp was built around 1971 when its predesessor burned. The camp was used until 1991 when Maine discontinued all fire tower operations statewide. Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands initiated the removal given the poor condition of the camp and its outbuildings.

The camp will be left in a pile of burnable material until it can be burned this coming winter. Volunteers moved other non-burnable objects down the mountain by hand.

Bangor Daily News Story #1

Bangor Daily News Story #2

The camp may be rebuilt from the original plans down at the Greenville NREC site.


Big Spencer camp torn down
(Maine BPL Photo)

9/9/2011 - West Kennebago and Norway Bluff Towers

On 9/9/2011, the Maine State Historic Preservation Office concluded an extensive review of the West Kennebago and Norway Bluff Tower sites. They have been under Section 106 review for tower removals. Based on that review, both towers will be removed to make way for new Communication Towers.

In trying to provide some preservation to these towers, it has been agreed to that these towers will be saved/preserved in the following locations -

Norway Bluff - to be preserved at the Ashland Logging Museum

West Kennebago - to be moved to the Maine Forest Service District Office in Lower Cupsuptic Township

 
West Kennebago Tower
(FFLA Photo)

Norway Bluff Tower
(FFLA Photo)

6/8/2011 - May Mountain Tower Removed

In support of Maine's MSCommNet Communication initiative, the May mountain fire tower has been removed to make way for a new communication complex.

The tower was steel only as the cab had been missing for many years.

 
Former tower site at May Mountain
(FFLA Photo)

4/15/2011 - Mount Bigelow Tower Burned

The lookout on Mount Bigelow was burned by Maine Parks and Lands on 4/15/2011. Having been on BPL's master plan for years, the lookout was removed primarily for the below reasons:

-Liability issues
-Continued vandalism
-Wildland issues
-Proximity to sensitive alpine vegetation

All that remains is the stone foundation.
Remains of the Bigelow Lookout
(Thomas Polese Photo)


Notes:

-Mount Agamenticus, Mount Hope, and Ossipee Hill in York county continue to be staffed by volunteers.

-Corrections, additions, and comments are encouraged. Send to Bill Cobb at cobbw@charter.net

Planned 2012 Tower Removals

  1. Mount Abraham tower is still being recommended for removal by the Maine State DOC. The old watchman's camp was removed this past summer 2011.

  2. West Kennebago tower will be removed to make way for the new MSCommNet Radio tower. The landowner will not allow both to coexist, so the Fire Tower will be removed.

  3. Norway Bluff tower will be removed to make way for the new MSCommNet Radio tower.

  4. Johnston Hill tower will be removed at the request of the landowner.

 

Looking for Updates! - Most every year, there is a small handful of towers that we cannot locate a status on. If you have a status on any of the below, please email us!

Cooper Hill, Cooper
Flagstaff Mountain, Flagstaff Plantation
Howe Brook, T8 R3
Mitten Mountain, Centerville
Tumbledown Mountain, T5 R6 BKP WKR
Wadleigh Mountain, T1 R12
Whitney Hill, Macwahoc Plantation


Dave Hilton Web Site
The old Dave Hilton Maine Tower web site can still be found at this link -

From York to the Allagash-Forest Fire Lookouts of Maine

 

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