Girls Scouts-Indian Hills Council, Inc.Fire Tower Page

HISTORY OF THE PAGE POND FIRE TOWER The Page Pond Fire Tower was completed in 1935 by Company 211 of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Fire Observer's Cabin was built in 1936. At the time they were built, the land was part of the farm owned by Michael Hromada. In 1960 the farm was purchased for future expansion of Camp Amahami. The Riding Ring and Dana Ackerman Horse Stable are also located on the former Hromada farm. The Fire Tower was operated and staffed by New York State through 1988 for the detection of forest and brush fires. The bulk of the reported wildfires are now detected by the general public. Funding reductions have caused the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to abandon the statewide tower system for fire detection. NYS-DEC has used airplane surveillance during periods of high forest fire danger. There are plans to use satellite surveillance as a more cost effective method of forest fire detection in the future. In 1992, NYS-DEC transferred ownership of the Fire Tower and the Observer's Cabin to Girl Scouts-Indian Hills Council so that it can continue to be used for environmental education and can be preserved a symbol of a bygone era of forest and environmental protection.
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RULES FOR FIRE TOWER VISITORS 1. Only groups and individuals registered with the Registrar of Girl Scouts-Indian Hills Council for day or overnight use of Amahami Outdoor Center may visit the fire tower. 2. No more than six individuals may be on the tower at any one time. 3. Railings are to be held while ascending and descending the steps. 4. The key for the observer's lookout may be checked out from the weekend Site Director 5. The tower is not to be climbed if the steps are wet, icy, or snow-covered. 6. No horseplay. 7. No climbing on the structure other than on the stairs. NOTE: Consult the Amahami Topographic Map & Trail Guide for the location of the tower and a description of the hiking trails that lead to it.

HISTORY OF THE PAGE POND FIRE TOWER

The Page Pond Fire Tower was completed in 1935 by Company 211 of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Fire Observer's Cabin was built in 1936. At the time they were built, the land was part of the farm owned by Michael Hromada. In 1960 the farm was purchased for future expansion of Camp Amahami. The Riding Ring and Dana Ackerman Horse Stable are also located on the former Hromada farm. The Fire Tower was operated and staffed by New York State through 1988 for the detection of forest and brush fires. The bulk of the reported wildfires are now detected by the general public. Funding reductions have caused the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to abandon the statewide tower system for fire detection. NYS-DEC has used airplane surveillance during periods of high forest fire danger. There are plans to use satellite surveillance as a more cost effective method of forest fire detection in the future. In 1992, NYS-DEC transferred ownership of the Fire Tower and the Observer's Cabin to Girl Scouts-Indian Hills Council so that it can continue to be used for environmental education and can be preserved a symbol of a bygone era of forest and environmental protection.

Return to the Camp Page

RULES FOR FIRE TOWER VISITORS

1. Only groups and individuals registered with the Registrar of Girl Scouts-Indian Hills Council for day or overnight use of Amahami Outdoor Center may visit the fire tower.

2. No more than six individuals may be on the tower at any one time.

3. Railings are to be held while ascending and descending the steps.

4. The key for the observer's lookout may be checked out from the weekend Site Director

5. The tower is not to be climbed if the steps are wet, icy, or snow-covered.

6. No horseplay.

7. No climbing on the structure other than on the stairs.

NOTE: Consult the Amahami Topographic Map & Trail Guide for the location of the tower and a description of the hiking trails that lead to it.