Loon Lake Mountain Fire Observation Station
Why it's listed
Rising from the summit of Loon Lake Mountain in northern Franklin County, this 35-foot steel fire tower was erected in 1917 to replace an earlier lookout built around 1911-1912. Fabricated by the AerMotor Company, it is a typical 'Heavier Type' tower, with a riveted and bolted angular steel frame, five flights of stairs with wood treads, and a glass and steel cab under a hip roof. Its legs are anchored to concrete footings set on bare bedrock. The station was part of the state's effort to spot fires in the Forest Preserve after repeated blazes and logging around Loon Lake in the early 1900s. Observers lived in a nearby cabin, replaced in 1928, and a Civilian Conservation Corps crew cut a new trail in 1934. Winter winds toppled the tower in 1927-1928, and it was restored that spring. The state closed the station in 1971. The tower is significant for its link to forest conservation and as an example of early twentieth century tower design.
Significance in brief: The tower is significant under Criteria A and C for its association with the New York State Forest Preserve and as an example of an early twentieth century forest fire observation tower. It is a typical AerMotor 'Heavier Type' tower with an integral staircase, built for the Conservation Commission. It is part of the multiple property group Fire Observation Stations of the NYS Forest Preserve.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 08001144, listed December 5, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Summit of Loon Lake Mountain, Franklin |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | December 5, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08001144 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1917-1956 |
| Architect / builder | AerMotor Corporation (mfr.) |
| Architectural style | Utilitarian/firetower |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Conservation, Engineering, Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The state closed the station in the fall of 1971 and the tower has been abandoned but remains standing. There is no public access because the surrounding land is privately owned. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.56022, -74.15139 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 08001144.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6675645
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.