Looking for Forest Fire Towers
by Barbara Garner

Steel towers, serving various modem day purposes, are scattered across the landscape of Maryland. Whether viewing the ridge lines of mountains or the skyscapes of cities, towers are always visible. Less conspicuous, because they may reach only 100 feet and are easily dwarfed by their 300-400 feet neighbors, are the towers built after the turn of the 20th century to protect Maryland's once ravaged forest lands. These fire lookout towers are a reminder of the work of forestry during the past one hundred years.

In 1906 scientific forestry began in Maryland with the appointment of Fred W. Besley as Maryland's first State Forester. He addressed many issues of forest management, with fire detection and suppression receiving significant attention. Thus during his thirty-six years (June 1906 - February 1942) as State Forester, fire lookout towers were put up throughout the state.
In 1932, the State Department of Forestry reported that 30-35 towers would be needed to protect all the woodlands in Maryland. At that time there were 19 towers in operation.

By 1944, the Board of Natural Resources Annual Report stated that there were 34 lookouts across the state. Ultimately the towers stopped being used for their original purpose. Some were taken down, some were moved to other locations for other uses, and some remained standing while acquiring the various components of radio and satellite communication devices.

The towers, which were used as fire lookouts and remain standing, are in 15 of Maryland's 23 counties. Some are not in their original locations. Others are not readily accessible. A few now have other uses, and most are in disrepair.

At a Glance

• People working as "Lookouts" helped detect forest fires soon after they were started. Sitting atop high towers, in a small wooden cabin, lookouts used various means of communication to alert people on the ground of the fire's location. Crews then responded to the location with equipment to control the fire.
• Towers, mostly made of steel, were erected throughout Maryland. Some towers were over l00' high. The first tower went up in 1915. By 1944 there were 34 towers in Maryland.
• A volunteer survey of towers in 2005, showed 24 towers still standing. Some have been moved from their original sites. None are presently operational as fire lookouts.

The best places to visit towers include four towers which have been moved from their original sites to locations where the public is welcome. The towers should not be climbed unless there is an official guide present. Call for an appointment or for further information about the tower.
Brandywine Tower Fairview Outdoor Education Center Clear Spring, Washington County 301-766-8138	Hollofield Tower Critical Area Driving Tour Merkle NRMA Prince George's County
Great Mills Tower Lathrop E. Smith Envir. Education Center Rockville, Montgomery County 301-924-3123	Quantico Tower Chesapeake Fire Museum Hebron, Wicomico County 410-860-0843
The five towers listed below are on Maryland public lands. The public may view these towers, but climbing them is prohibited.
Thayerville  Tower Deep Creek Lake State Park Swanton, Garrett County 301-387-5563	Long Hill Tower 8023 Long Hill Road Pasadena, Anne Arundel County
Church Creek Tower 4329 Golden Hill Road Church Creek, Dorchester County	Nassawango Tower 6572 Snow Hill Road Snow Hill, Worcester County
	Cub Hill Tower 9405 Old Harford Road Baltimore, Baltimore County

- Barbara Garner, December 13, 2005
 

 
Acknowledgements:  All of the photographs of fire lookout towers pictured on this webpage were provided by Barbara Garner, who also researched and developed this information as a Centennial Committee Volunteer.