Mount Adams Fire Observation Station

Mount Adams Fire Observation Station is a steel frame tower standing 56 feet tall situated at 3,250 feet elevation in Essex County, with several support buildings on the site. The structure was built to spot and report forest fires across the surrounding landscape.

The station was constructed in 1917 as a replacement for an earlier wooden structure built in 1912, becoming part of New York's forest fire detection system. It remained operational until 1971, serving for decades as a critical lookout point in the region.

The station represents early 20th-century forest conservation methods and remains a testament to traditional fire management practices in the Adirondack region.

The site is accessible by hiking trails marked throughout the area, with information displays about fire prevention and forestry practices along the way. Sturdy footwear and attention to weather conditions at this elevation are important for a safe visit.

The observers cabin built in 1922 at this location is the oldest surviving fire lookout cabin remaining in the state. This structure shows the original construction methods and equipment used during the early days of organized fire detection work.

Location: Essex County

Inception: 1917

GPS coordinates: 44.08689,-74.02553

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:14