Dickinson Hill Fire Tower: The Last Tower in Rensselaer County, NY!
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Dickinson Fire Tower located in Petersburgh, NY sits on a short .5 mile walk off NY 2 but the actual trail starts on North Long Pond Road. Make sure to follow the road all the way till you see the an opening for a small parking lot just off the side. You will have a short .10 miles on the main road before you begin the actual trail.
Once you start the trail you will be greeted by a placard with a bit of history surrounding the towers. There were quite a few of them, all providing a different snippet of history. I found them to be a nice addition to the trail, giving a little context to the tower and their original intended use.
The restoration of the 60-foot tower was spearheaded by the volunteer organization Friends of Grafton Lake, demonstrating their admirable commitment to preserving local heritage. Under the guidance of Dick Gibbs, chair of the Friends of Grafton Lakes tower restoration project, the tower underwent extensive rehabilitation, primarily relying on volunteer labor and donated materials. Volunteer crews undertook the replacement of all the wood steps and flooring in the cab, as well as the sourcing and installation of all the X-bracing. Additionally, they carried out major repairs to the cab and meticulously painted the entire structure.
The recent designation of the tower on the State and National Registers of Historic Places was acknowledged with certificates presented to the partners by Harvey. Dating back to 1924, the Dickinson Hill fire tower resulted from a collaborative effort between the state and the City of Troy in a bid to safeguard the woodlands surrounding the city’s water supply from the threat of fires. The Dickinson Hill Fire Tower, one of 102 erected by New York State, remained in constant operation until November of 1972, and is among roughly half of the original fire towers that still exist today.
Accessible via a 1.5 mile hike from the parking area at the end of North Long Pond Road The trail down and back can be known to be muddy. It is recommended that you wear good water resistant foot wear or something you don’t mind getting extra dirty.
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| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is the Dickinson Fire Tower located? | The Dickinson Fire Tower is located in Petersburgh, NY, on a short 0.5 mile walk off NY 2, with the actual trail starting on North Long Pond Road. |
| How was the Dickinson Fire Tower restored? | The restoration of the 60-foot tower was spearheaded by the volunteer organization Friends of Grafton Lake, led by Dick Gibbs. Extensive rehabilitation involved volunteer labor, donated materials, replacement of wood steps, flooring, and X-bracing, major repairs to the cab, and meticulous painting of the entire structure. |
| What is the history of the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower? | Dating back to 1924, the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower resulted from a collaborative effort between the state and the City of Troy to safeguard the woodlands surrounding the city’s water supply from the threat of fires. It was one of 102 erected by New York State, remaining in constant operation until November of 1972. |
| How can I access the Dickinson Fire Tower? | Access to the tower is via a 1.5 mile hike from the parking area at the end of North Long Pond Road. The trail can be muddy, so it’s recommended to wear good water-resistant footwear. |
| What are some nearby attractions? | Nearby attractions include the Barberville Falls and the Grafton Peace Pagoda. |
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