Posts Tagged ‘Stillwater Fire Tower’

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Weathering a storm during Woodhull Mountain tower lighting

sunset from Woodhull Mountain fire tower

The folks in the Southeastern states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are putting together their infrastructure and many homes that were flooded out (or damaged) with the wind and rain from Hurricane Idalia. It came through at the worst time. There was a full moon, causing the highest time for tides and storm surges of up to twelve feet. That hit areas in Florida where they were less than that above sea level.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, March 26, 2022

Youth hockey team, the Inlet Mighty Loons, capped memorable first season

Spring has sprung on this first day of spring (Sunday, March 20) and my daffodils would have bloomed yesterday if the sun stayed out, however it started snowing which shut them down. The crocus usually come out first, but they have only popped out of the ground and the daffodils have flower buds ready to pop. Coming home from Utica on Friday (March 18) with temperatures in the fifties (and even sixty) I kept mentioning there are more Robins along the shoulder of the road. My wife, Karen, said, “I hear you, yes, there are lots of Robins.”

My neighbor Eric Sutherland’s sugarhouse [Maple Moss Sugarworks] has been cooking 24/7 this last week with lots of guests visiting his operation. He is into it big time and I’m learning more every day about his operation. With each day freezing at night and thawing during the day this next week he should be making maple syrup every day. He loves to show people his operation and he will be glad to sell you some of his products.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Stillwater Fire Tower closure in effect until Dec. 20


stillwater fire towerThe New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) closed access to the Stillwater Fire Tower on the Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement in Herkimer County.

The access across private land is closed to visitors each year from the second Tuesday in October to December 20, according to a Recreation Management Plan agreed upon with the landowner.

The lands on the Big Moose Tract are posted and patrolled during this time. Persons entering the property during this period could face prosecution for trespass.

Photo provided by Friends of Stillwater Fire Tower/Almanack archive.


Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Stillwater Fire Tower History Book Published

Stillwater Fire Tower A Centennial HistoryA new book about Stillwater Fire Tower will soon be available in local stores. Stillwater Fire Tower, A Centennial History … and Earlier (2019, Self-Published) by James Fox, recounts how it came to life as a shiny steel tower in 1919 when fire observers and forest rangers helped protect our forests from the summit. The tower closed and was partially dismantled in 1988.

Rehab of the tower began in 2009. Friends of Stillwater Fire Tower completed an authentic restoration in 2016.  The location offers views of the Adirondack High Peaks and the wind turbines on Tug Hill. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, July 25, 2019

Stillwater Fire Observers, Forest Rangers’ Relatives Sought

Clarence Rennie Stillwater Fire Observer 1928-1939In preparation for the centennial of Stillwater Fire Tower, the tower’s friends group is searching for Stillwater Fire Tower Observers, Forest Rangers, and their relatives.

The centennial commemoration will be on Saturday August 24, 2019 beginning at 10 am at the tower. At noon a question and answer session will be held at the trailhead parking area on Big Moose Road. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Stillwater Fire Tower, Big Moose Tract, Closed to Visitors

stillwater fire towerThe Stillwater Mountain Fire Tower and the trail to it will be closed to public use beginning from October 8 through December 20th.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has asked the public to respect trail closure dates and do not trespass on the Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement that leads to Stillwater Fire Tower. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, August 30, 2018

Fire Tower Lightings Planned For Saturday

stillwater fire towerStillwater Fire Tower is set to be lit on September 1st from 9 to 9:30 pm, as part of “Light the Tower.” Lighting fire towers on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend started with fire tower enthusiasts in the Catskills.

This is the third year Stillwater has been lit. Stillwater Fire Tower can be seen from the Bald Mt/Rondaxe tower, from Stillwater Reservoir, Tug Hill and the Black River Valley, and Fort Drum’s air control tower.

The Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower in the Hurricane Mountain Wilderness Area and St. Regis Mountain Fire Tower in the Saint Regis Canoe Area will also be lighted.

The event is being sponsored by Friends of Stillwater Fire Tower. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Stillwater Fire Tower Gets New Interpretive Sign

stillwater mountain fire tower signThe Stillwater Fire Tower has received a new interpretive sign that recounts Stillwater’s the towers that preceded the present 1919 steel tower. The latest tower was reopened after restoration in 2016.

The sign is bolted to the tower near the empty drill hole in the bedrock that once held a Verplanck Colvin Adirondack Survey marker from 1882. » Continue Reading.


Monday, December 18, 2017

‘First Day’ Hike to Stillwater Mtn Summit Planned

Stillwater Fire TowerThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a ‘first day’ hike on January 1, 2018, and encouraged New Yorkers to connect with nature and go on a new adventure on the first day of the New Year.

DEC Region 6 staff and members of the Friends of Stillwater Fire Tower will be leading the hike on New Year’s Day to the summit of Stillwater Mountain, Herkimer County. The hike will start from the trail head at 10 am. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, September 8, 2016

Stolen Stillwater Mountain Survey Bolt Being Replaced

original 1882 nickle plated copper marker station 77A party from the NYS DEC Region Six survey division, members of the Colvin Crew, and Friends of Stillwater Fire Tower will set a brass marker below the fire tower to replace the original survey bolt that was stolen and later recovered by Adirondack Almanack reader Kyle Kristiansen in New Jersey in 2013.

That 1882 benchmark found by Kristiansen was identified as Station 77 in Verplanck Colvin’s survey of the Adirondacks and had been located on the summit of Stillwater Mountain. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, June 26, 2016

Restored Stillwater Fire Tower Grand Reopening July 2nd

Photo of workers on the Stillwater FiretowerThe volunteer group Friends of Stillwater Fire Tower has just completed restoration of the Stillwater Fire Tower. One hundred and twenty-five people hiked to the summit to work on the tower, or attended planning meetings. Mostly North Country and Stillwater locals, but volunteers from all over NY, as well as NJ, MA, PA, DE and FL also took part. The group is partnered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, who purchased the materials locally and transported them up the mountain.

On Saturday, July 2, 2016, there will be a public Grand Opening celebration at the tower from 11 am until 3 pm.  There will be an attendant in the tower to answer questions or help explain the views of the High Peaks in one direction, and the 195 wind turbines on Tug Hill in the other. An 1920 panoramic map and alidade will be on the fire tower’s new map table. » Continue Reading.



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