Help Restore Pinchot's Relocated... Big Pocono Fire Tower

Restoring history

Fire Tower Restoration Project to become a public educational space at Grey Towers National Historic Site.
Built in 1921, Big Pocono Tower is typical of fire tower construction in Pennsylvania between 1914 and 1939. It was located in Big Pocono State Park atop Big Pocono Mountain adjacent to Camelback Ski Area.

The steel tower Aermotor Model LS 40 with 7’X7’ cab is 21 ft. tall.

In 2017, the tower was disassembled as part of Pennsylvania's plan to upgrade its fire tower network.

We need your help to replace the roof and purchase materials to complete the cab restoration.
Fire lookouts are getting hard to spot
Pittsburgh Post Gazette

As the Pennsylvania commissioner of forestry in 1921, Gifford Pinchot accessed $1 million, the largest appropriation for forest protection at the time. Part of that money was used to buy 50 fire towers. Most were erected in 1923, the year Mr. Pinchot became governor. These towers were sometimes called "Pinchot towers," Mr. Cummings said, because Mr. Pinchot signed the order for them (Steve Cummings, Forest Fire Lookout Association).
Current Reconstruction Plans

The tower was relocated to Grey Towers National Historic Site, the home of Forester and Gov. Gifford Pinchot, where it will be refurbished and re-erected.

In the coming months the US Forest Service and other partners plan to reconstruct the Big Pocono Tower at a site at Grey Towers.

Proposals under consideration include development of educational panels describing the USFS fire program, it’s history, Gifford’s role, and fire suppression and management today.
Be a part of restoring history...
Grey Towers Heritage Association
P.O. Box 188
Milford, PA 18337

570-296-9630
info@greytowers.org