Hickory Ridge Fire Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hickory Ridge Fire Tower |
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Hickory Ridge Fire Tower, looking up the South-West corner
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| General information | |
| Type | Fire lookout tower |
| Location | Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area |
| Coordinates | 39°02′05″N 86°19′16″W / 39.034817°N 86.321235°W |
| Construction started | 1936 |
| Completed | 1936 |
| Height | 110 feet (33.53 meters) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Steel |
The Hickory Ridge Fire Tower is a tall tower built to help spot forest fires. It's located in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area, a wild and beautiful part of Indiana. This tower was super important for about 40 years, helping to protect the forests from big fires. Today, it's a cool place you can visit to get amazing views!
Building the Tower
The Hickory Ridge Fire Tower was built in 1936. It was put together by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that gave jobs to young men. They worked on projects that helped the environment and public lands.
The tower is made of strong steel. It stands 110 feet (about 33.5 meters) tall. At the very top, there's a small room called a "cab." This cab is seven feet square. This is where a person, called a lookout, would sit and watch for fires.
Inside the cab, lookouts used special tools. One important tool was an alidade. This device helped them figure out the exact location of a fire. It allowed them to quickly tell firefighters where to go.
When the tower was first built, it had 123 wooden steps to reach the top. Later, these steps were replaced. Now, there are 133 steel steps, making the climb safer and stronger.
Originally, there were other buildings near the tower. These included a small cabin for the lookout, a restroom, and a garage. Over time, these buildings were removed. Only the tower remains standing today.
Watching for Fires
For about 40 years, the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower was actively used. During times when the forest was very dry and fires were likely, someone would be stationed in the cab. Their job was to constantly scan the horizon for any signs of smoke.
When a lookout spotted smoke, they would use their tools to pinpoint the fire's location. Then, they would quickly report it. A small team of firefighters was often stationed at the base of the tower. They were ready to rush out and put out fires as soon as they were reported.
Sometimes, there were many fires in one day. During peak times, the lookouts might spot four or five fires daily. One of the biggest fires ever recorded in the area came very close to the tower. It got within half a mile (about 800 meters) before firefighters stopped it. Even though fires came close, the tower itself was never burned. It has, however, been struck by lightning!
A Look at History
The tower stopped being used for fire detection in the late 1970s. By then, new technologies like airplanes and satellites made it easier to spot fires. These new methods meant that people didn't need to sit in towers anymore.
The Hickory Ridge Fire Tower was one of eight similar towers in the Hoosier National Forest. But now, it's the only one left! Because of its history and importance, it was added to the National Historic Lookout Register in October 1990. It was the very first fire tower in Indiana to get this special recognition.
Visiting the Tower Today
Even though it's not used for spotting fires anymore, the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower is still open to the public. You can visit it throughout the year. It's a popular spot for people who want to climb to the top and enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding wilderness. It's a great way to experience a piece of history and see the forest from a unique perspective!
Gallery
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View looking up from near the middle of the base of the tower.
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View looking East from the tower. Shadow of the tower can be seen on the near foreground trees.
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View looking North-West from the tower. Taller buildings in Bloomington, Indiana can be seen on the distant horizon.
