Horn Mountain Fire Tower Complex, Horn Mountain Tower Road, Talladega

Source document Quoted word for word from HAER AL-212. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The Horn Mountain Fire Tower is located atop Horn Mountain, within the Talladega National Forest, Talladega, Talladega County, Alabama at 33 N, 86 W (Figure 1). Located nine miles southeast of the city of Talladega off State Road 77, the tower is accessible via Skyway Motorway and Horn Mountain Tower Road (Figure 2). Turning west off State Road 77 onto Skyway Motorway (County Road 307/National Forest Road travel five miles southwest up the Motorway and proceed west 0.25-mile through the entrance gate at Horn Mountain Tower Road. The tower complex is also accessible from the Pinhoti Trail north of the tower site. Setting: Operational by the initial site included the tower, caretaker s dwelling, shelter, and the men s pit toilet.

A map of the tower site illustrates planned recreational aspects of the tower complex that were constructed in the (Figure 3). 1 Located at the terminus of the Tower Road, the complex now includes a central recreational area with stone steps leading to the fire tower and a communications shack enclosed in a 10 -0 high chain link fence, three curvilinear, stacked-stone overlooks built into the slope of the mountain on the north side of the area, three concrete picnic tables with benches and grills, a log post shelter, a stone-faced water fountain, two pit toilets, and the foundation remains of the fireman s dwelling (Figure 4). The tower stands in the south part of the flat, circular complex at the summit.

Arriving by road, one passes the driveway (now overgrown and inaccessible to vehicles due to a berm) and a set of stone stairs that once led to the fireman s dwelling. As the access road begins to curve east, a concrete picnic table with benches and a grill are located on the slope west of the road. After passing the tower to the east, the first of three overlooks line the west side of the road and the north slope of the complex. The complex is an open and flat area with a fire ring in the center and parking space to the east. A large shelter is located northeast of the tower. On the slope northeast of the shelter is a concrete picnic table with grill and a trail that leads to the male pit toilet and circles back south toward the tower area. East of the shelter is a stone water fountain.

Southeast of the shelter is another picnic table and path that leads to the foundation ruins of the fireman s dwelling, driveway, and cistern. East of the ruins is the female pit toilet. The dwelling ruins and toilet are overgrown with a forest of bamboo, vines, and tall grass. All of the original vistas from the overlooks are obstructed by tree growth. A power line corridor runs westward from the tower structure down the mountain.

Source document Quoted word for word from HAER AL-212. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The Horn Mountain Fire Tower was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A as an example of forest improvements made to the Talladega National Forest by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 2 While 1 United States of Agriculture, National Forests of Alabama, Improvement Drawing Horn Mt. Tower Site, National Forests in Alabama. 2 Robert J. Yallop, Architectural Assessment of the Horn Mountain Fire Tower, Talladega County, Alabama (Stone Mountain, GA: New South Associates, i. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No.

AL-212 (Page 2) aiding in the early detection of forest fires, the observation towers were also instrumental in stimulating and managing recreational use in the early twentieth century, and cultivating within the public a modern conservation ethic. As such, they also represent some of the earliest recreational structures in the Forest Service system. 3 As stated in the assessment of the Horn Mountain Fire Tower, the Civilian Conservation Corps has left a lasting legacy through its architecture, landscaping and conservation programs. The significance of the site lies in its association with this important and unprecedented government program.

4 Description: The Horn Mountain Fire Tower was constructed from standardized fire tower plan designed by the Chicago based windmill manufacturer, Aermotor (Figure 5). The structure is a 100 -0 galvanized steel frame fire tower with a 22 -0 square base with 5 -0 x 5 - 0 x 3/8 angles on the bottom legs. Concrete footings measure 16 x 16 and are 1 -0 above ground level (Figures 5 Introduced in the new tower design contained a self-supporting stairway system that was integrated into the super structure of the fire tower. The stair risers run back and forth up the fire tower between large landings, an important safety feature, making the the preferred fire tower 6 The stairs have a 9 rise and 7 run. Chain link fencing serves as the balustrade between the wooden treads and the handrails.

Stair treads from the lower run have been removed as the tower s current condition prohibits climbing to the cab. The stair runs climb through the center of the tower s frame to the 7 -0 x 7 -0 steel cab with a steel hipped roof. The cab has two windows on each side; one bolted closed and one awning type. Currently there is no glass in the window frames. Entrance into the cab would have been through a trap door in the cab s floor, but there is no flooring at this time. Associated structures within the complex include: 1 - A concrete block, communications shack -0 x 9 -0 x 5 -0 ) east of the tower base (ca. late Currently, all power cables have been pulled from the power box and none of the antennae are functioning.

3 Wes Haynes, Fire Observation Stations of the New York State Forest Preserve, accessed April 4 Yallop, Architectural Assessment, 13. 5 Art Johnston, Alabama National Forests Fire Tower Inspections (Milwaukie, WI: United States of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 9, 6 Bill Starr, The Five Various Steel Fire Tower Models Utilized in New York State, accessed March HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 3) 2 - Three concrete picnic tables with benches; two with grills (ca. 3 - Male and female pit toilets (ca. and with board-and-batten exterior walls and side-gable roofs. 4 - A large pole shelter with benches and a side-gable, shingled roof (ca. refurbished in and 5 - Three, curvilinear, stacked-stone overlooks (ca.

6 - A rusticated stone-faced water fountain in disrepair (ca. 7 - Remains of the fireman s dwelling including a cistern, stone walls and steps, and foundation (constructed and demolished in the early 7 History: In response to the nation s economic crisis of the Franklin Roosevelt s New Deal policies authorized the funding for public works in forest, water, and soil conservation and the creation of a conservation army. Employing thousands of men, this army was known as the Civilian Conservation Corps Established in the CCC work force was divided into camps located throughout the states to work on Federal improvement projects related to transportation, fire protection, and natural resources, as well as the creation of recreational facilities.

8 On July 7, Camp F-7 was organized at Chandler Springs [Alabama] with enrollees from Company 465 of Munford and an additional 160 men from Birmingham and sections of Mississippi. The newly established Company was almost entirely made up of African American enrollees assigned to work in the Talladega National Forest Purchase Unit. One of the highest priorities of the CCC in Alabama was the development of fire prevention and suppression systems Fire suppression work projects were designed to reduce fire hazards and facilitate early detection through general cleanup and the construction of fire breaks, telephone lines and fire towers.

9 Constructed in the Horn Mountain Fire Tower was erected by Company and was one of three 100 -0 fire towers, three tower dwellings, and three recreational and picnic centers on the Talladega Unit of the National Forest completed by Camp 10 As depicted on the Improvement Plan (see Figure 3), the Horn Mountain Fire Tower site included planned recreational facilities (not constructed until the including picnic tables, overlooks, public facilities, and parking) thus, drawing the public to the attractive mountain-top picnic area to take in the view (Figures 11 7 Marcus Ridley, in discussion with the author, 5 January 8 Yallop, Architectural Assessment, 4. 9 Ibid. 10 Ibid. 11 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Improvement Drawing, National Forests in Alabama.

HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 4) The tower s use has changed over the years from fire observation tower, ca. NFA repeater station and multi-agency communications antennae host, ca. and a recreational site, 1937-present. 12 The NFA abandoned the tower in the mid-1970s as the Forest Service/NFA used aerial observation for more accurate plotting of fires. 13The Horn Mountain Tower was never a scenic lookout, climbing was discouraged and in the late the tower was fenced-in and the bottom run of stairs was removed upon construction of the communications shack. 14 Under the stewardship of the NFA since its construction in the agency will continue to monitor, rehabilitate, and maintain the tower complex.

Upon completion of the proposed rehabilitation (scheduled for that includes the installation of a new communications tower, partial restoration of the original tower with refurbishment of the stair treads, repainting the tower, removing unnecessary cable and antennae, and stabilizing the masonry overlooks; the tower site will remain a recreational area though the tower will not be accessible to the public. 15

Source document Quoted word for word from HAER AL-212. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Aermotor Company. History of the Aermotor Windmill Corporation, accessed April corporation.aspx. Aermotor, Inc. 100 FT Observation Tower, Illinois: Electronic copy on file at the NFA, Montgomery, Alabama. Good, Albert H. Park and Recreation Structures: Part I Administration and Basic Service Facilities. Washington, United States Government Printing Office, Haynes, Wes. Fire Observation Station of the New York State Forest Preserve, accessed April Jenkins, Cliff. Cultural Resources Survey of a Proposed Communications Tower for the Talladega County E.M.A., Talladega County, Alabama, Cultural Resources Management 12 Marcus Ridley, in discussion with the author, 5 January 13 Ibid. 14 Marcus Ridley, e-mail message to author, 7 January The tower was never advertised as a scenic lookout.

Climbing was discouraged, even though it was open to climb until the communications shack was constructed and recreational use of the site was deemphasized in the late 15 United States Department of Agriculture, National Forests in Alabama. Memorandum of Agreement. Montgomery, AL: NFA, HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 5) Report Alabama: United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Johnston, Art, P.E. Alabama National Forests Fire Tower Inspections. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: United States Department of Agriculture, Region 9, Electronic copy on file at the NFA, Montgomery, Alabama. Starr, Bill. The Five Various Steel Fire Tower Models Utilized in New York State, accessed March df. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USDA).

7 x7 Lookout Tower drawings. Washington, USDA, Forest Service, rev. Electronic copy on file at the National Forest in Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 8. Improvement Drawing, Horn Mt. Tower Site. Atlanta, Georgia: USDA, Forest Service, Electronic copy on file at the NFA, Montgomery, Alabama. Unites States Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama. Horn Mountain Tower historic photographs. Montgomery, Alabama: NFA, On file at the NFA, Montgomery, Alabama. Memorandum of Agreement Between the U.S. Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama and the Alabama Historical Commission, CCC Legacy, and the Forest Fire Lookout Association Regarding the Construction of a Communications Tower at the Horn Mountain Fire Tower Complex.

Montgomery, Alabama: USDA, NFA, United States Geological Survey. Porter Gap, Alabama, 7.5-minute series, Provisional Edition. Alabama: Yallop, Robert J. Architectural Assessment of the Horn Mountain Fire Tower, Talladega County, Alabama. Stone Mountain, Georgia: New South Associates, Electronic copy on file at the NFA, Montgomery, Alabama.

Source document Quoted word for word from HAER AL-212. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

A Level III HAER documentation was undertaken as part of a Memorandum of Agreement between the U.S. Forest Service, National Forests in Alabama and the Alabama Historical Commission, CCC Legacy, and the Forest Fire Lookout Association HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 6) regarding the construction of a communications tower at the Horn Mountain Fire Tower Complex (NFA Panamerican was provided background information on the tower via electronic files from the NFA. Refer to Yallop s Architectural Assessment of the Horn Mountain Fire Tower, Talladega County, Alabama for further information on the tower and source of the historic photographs below. 16 Tower drawings are on file at the Engineering Office of NFA, Montgomery, Alabama. 16 Yallop.

HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 7) Supplemental Material: Maps. Figure 1. Location of Horn Mountain Fire Tower (United States Geological Survey, 17 17 Map prepared by Panamerican Consults, Inc. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 8) Figure 2. Tower Access off County Road 307/Skyway Motorway/National Forest Road 1 (Porter Gap, Alabama Provisional Edition 7.5-min. quadrangle). 18 18 Map prepared by Panamerican Consultants, Inc. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 9) Figure 3. layout of the Horn Mountain Tower complex. 19 19 NFA, Horn Mountain Tower Site, drawing. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 10) Figure 4. layout of the Horn Mountain Fire Tower complex.

20 20 NFA, Horn Mountain Fire Tower and Communications Site. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 11) Figure 5. Elevation of an Aermotor 100 fire tower. 21 21 NFA, Engineering Office. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 12) Figure 6. Sketch plan of the tower s foundation. 22 22 NFA, Engineering Office. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 13) Figure 7. Sketch plan of the tower from the cab down. 23 23 NFA, Engineering Office. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 14) Figure 8. Sketch plan of the tower s 7 x7 cab. 24 24 NFA, Engineering Office. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 15) Historic Photographs: Figure 9.

Historic view of the Horn Mountain Tower recreation area from the Tower Road, date unknown. 25 25 NFA, photo collection. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 16) Figure 10. Purported view of the Horn Mountain Fire Tower shortly after completion, ca. 26 26 NFA, photo collection. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 17) Figure 11. Original shelter, northeast of the tower, date unknown. 27 The current shelter was rehabilitated leaving several hand hewn beams reused from the original structure. 27 NFA, photo collection. HORN MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER COMPLEX HAER No. AL-212 (Page 18) Figure 12. View of the north overlook from the shelter, date unknown. 28 28 NFA, photo collection.