Cairo Skywatch Tower

The Cairo Skywatch Tower is an observation tower located in Tippecanoe Township at the intersection of County Road 850N and County Road 100W. The structure features a glass-enclosed observation office at its top where surveillance operations were conducted during the Cold War era.

The tower was built in 1952 as the first rural observation post of the United States Air Force's Civilian Ground Observation Corps under Operation Skywatch. It served for air surveillance during the Korean War period and was later added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The tower represents local community dedication, with ninety volunteers who maintained continuous surveillance duties throughout the Korean War period.

The tower is located in Memorial Park and serves as an educational site where visitors can learn about Cold War surveillance methods through informational displays. Signage at the location helps visitors understand the historical importance and technical function of the installation.

The structure is the sole surviving example of a rural observation post from the Korean War era and was added to the National Register in 2002. The tower represents a forgotten chapter of home defense efforts during the early decades of the Cold War.

Location: Cairo

GPS coordinates: 40.54056,-86.92500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:42