New Feldtmann Fire Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New Feldtmann Fire Tower
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Feldtmann Ridge Trail, Isle Royale NP |
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| Built | 1964 |
| MPS | Isle Royale National Park Fire Towers MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 100006000 |
| Added to NRHP | January 5, 2021 |
The New Feldtmann Fire Tower is a special tower used to spot forest fires. It stands tall on Feldtmann Ridge, which is part of Isle Royale National Park. This park is a beautiful island in Lake Superior. The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021 because of its important history.
Contents
History of the Fire Tower
Why Fire Towers Were Built
In 1936, a very large fire called the Greenstone Ridge Fire swept across a part of Isle Royale. This happened soon after the island became a national park. To help prevent future big fires, the National Park Service decided to build fire towers. They built two towers on the island. One was on Mount Ojibway. The other was near where the New Feldtmann Fire Tower is today. This first tower was called the "Old Feldtmann Fire Tower."
Replacing the Old Tower
The first towers were made of wood. By the 1950s, they were starting to fall apart. Plans were made in 1961 to replace them. However, it took two more years to get the money needed. In 1963, the Old Feldtmann Fire Tower was taken down.
Building the New Tower
Construction on the new tower began in 1964. It was built in a slightly different spot. This new location helped park rangers watch over the most used parts of the park better. The New Feldtmann Fire Tower was finished in 1965.
Changes in Fire Management
By 1968, the way the park managed fires had changed. Because of these new strategies, the tower was no longer needed for spotting fires. It was then left unused. As of 2020, visitors to the park could still go up part of the tower.
What the Tower Looks Like
Location and Structure
The New Feldtmann Fire Tower is on Feldtmann Ridge. This is a noticeable rocky ridge on the island. The tower is surrounded by evergreen trees and bushes. You can reach it by following the Feldtmann Ridge Trail.
The tower itself is made from strong, pre-made steel pieces. These pieces are bolted together. The tower stands about 41 feet (12.5 meters) tall. It rests on four concrete supports that are spaced about 20 feet (6 meters) apart.
Stairway and Cab
A metal stairway goes from a concrete pad at the bottom of the tower. It leads up to an opening for the balcony at the top. At the very top of the tower is a pre-made room called a "cab." This cab is about 14 feet (4.3 meters) long, 14 feet (4.3 meters) wide, and 14 feet (4.3 meters) high.
The outside of the cab is made of steel panels. It has metal-framed windows on all four sides. These windows are covered with steel plates for protection. The cab has a flat roof made of corrugated metal. There is also a metal entrance door on one side.
