Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station

Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station is a fire lookout facility in Hamilton County featuring a 35 foot tall steel frame tower built in the early 1900s. The site includes observer cabins, remnants of telephone lines, and other structures that document forest fire prevention work.

The Aermotor Corporation built the prefabricated steel tower in 1917 as part of New York's forest protection strategy. The site was expanded over time, including an observer cabin added in 1949, reflecting evolving approaches to fire prevention across multiple decades.

The station represents the evolution of forest management practices through its architectural elements and operational facilities from different time periods.

To reach the observation station, follow the hiking trail to the summit at 6.071 feet elevation on Blue Mountain. The trail offers expanding views of the Adirondack region and leads to the tower location with far-reaching vistas.

On the slopes, visitors find a stone benchmark from the late 1800s, a surveying marker placed there long before the current station was built. This marker documents early mapping of the region before organized forest fire monitoring existed.

Location: Hamilton County

GPS coordinates: 43.87238,-74.40102

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:43