Hunter Mountain Fire Tower
Why it's listed
Atop the 4,045-foot summit of Hunter Mountain in Greene County stands a sixty-foot steel fire tower, prefabricated by the Aermotor Corporation and erected in 1917 to replace a rustic log tower from 1909. A square steel and glass observation cab sits on a riveted angular steel frame reached by stairs with eight landings. In 1953 the tower was moved about a thousand feet to the northwest to correct blind spots, and the original site still retains its mounting bases and cabin foundation fragments. A nearly four-mile truck trail, rebuilt in the early 1930s by the Tannersville Civilian Conservation Corps camp, links the sites and the mountain base. The tower is significant as a rare surviving example of New York's early steel fire towers, one of four left in the Catskill Forest Preserve. It also marks the growth of the Forest Ranger program and recreational hiking. The station closed in 1990, and a 1995 storm damaged the cab.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the tower is a representative and rare surviving example of an early twentieth-century prefabricated steel fire tower in New York. It reflects the state's fire detection network, its Forest Ranger program and the growth of recreational hiking in the Catskill and Adirondack preserves. The CCC-rebuilt access trail adds to its significance.
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 97000569, listed June 30, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Roughly following Hunter Brook from Spruceton Rd. to Hunter Mountain, Hunter |
|---|---|
| County | Greene County |
| Listed | June 30, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000569 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1917 - 1947 |
| Architect / builder | Aermotor Corporation (prefabricated the tower); Tannersville Civilian Conservation Corps camp (access trail) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation, Conservation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant/not in use; the station was closed in 1990, the tower lost its roof and some windows in a 1995 storm, and repairs were reported to be underway. |
| Acreage | 20 |
| Coordinates | 42.18316, -74.23889 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 97000569.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5944487
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.