Berry Hill (New York)

Berry Hill is a 1,962-foot-tall (598 m) mountain in the Central New York region of New York. It is located west-northwest of Norwich in Chenango County. The Berry Hill Fire Observation Station is located on top of the mountain. The fire tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. The tower ceased operation in 1988 and was officially closed early in 1989. In 1993, the tower was placed on the National Historic Lookout Register. The tower was refurbished and opened to the public on September 13, 2021.

Berry Hill
Berry Hill fire tower and cabin in December 2021
Highest point
Elevation1,962 feet (598 m)[1]
Coordinates42°32′59″N 75°41′25″W[1]
Geography
Berry Hill is located in New York Adirondack Park
Berry Hill
Berry Hill
Location of Berry Hill within New York
Berry Hill is located in the United States
Berry Hill
Berry Hill
Berry Hill (the United States)
LocationChenango County, New York, U.S.
Topo mapUSGS East Pharsalia

History

The structure on Berry Hill, a 59-foot-3-inch-tall (18.06 m) International Derrick tower, was provided to New York State by the United States Forest Service and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. It was built to look over newly reforested state lands that were susceptible to fire, and was first staffed in 1935. The tower ceased operation in 1988 and was officially closed early in 1989. In 1993, the tower was placed on the National Historic Lookout Register.[2]

Ranger's cabin by tower in 2015

In September 2021, a $125,000 project was completed to rehabilitate the fire tower. All communication equipment was removed, then a new roof and new siding was placed on the observers cabin. Safety fencing was added to the stairwell, as well as new metal grate treads and wood landings. A new wood floor and entrance hatch, new map table, and new windows were installed in the cabin. The tower was officially opened to the public on September 13, 2021.[3]

References
  1. "Berry Hill". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  2. "Searchable list of NY Fire Towers". nysffla.org. The New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  3. "DEC ANNOUNCES BERRY HILL FIRE TOWER IN CHENANGO COUNTY NOW OPEN TO VISITORS". Albany, NY: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. September 13, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
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