Olson Firetower
Coal Mine
Montrose Hamlet in the Hills
Montrose is a tiny little hamlet, like many in West Virginia, nestled in-between the hills, as seen from the Olson Firetower.
Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Olson Firetower.North from the Olson Firetower
North from the Olson Firetower, with US 219 snaking around the side of Backbone Mountain. Limestone Mountain in the mid-range, and in background is Laurel Mountain.
Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Olson Firetower.Olson Firetower – 100 Foot Tower
Back in the 1963, the Forest Service ran into a problem with their 60-foot Backbone Mountain Firetower, constructed in 1922 by State of West Virginia.The trees had grown too tall around the tower, and it was decided to scrap the 40-year old tower and replace it with a 100 foot Aermotor tower, with the ability to climb to the roof of the tower via a ladder for even better views (!!) Aermotor offered towers up to 175 feet.
The Forest Service bought a 100 foot tower, name Olson Firetower, to put on the mountain, which is still an impressive height as the tallest fire-tower in New York State is only 70 foot (Wakely Mountain). It's a good climb for sure at 30 feet higher then Wakely and is 133 steps to the cabin.
The circa-1963 Olson Tower is named after Ernst B. Olson in recognition of 28 years of fire control and conservation program service to Monongahela National Forest.
Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Olson Firetower.Olson Firetower View
Looking northeast from the Olson Firetower northeast of Parsons.
Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Olson Firetower.Farm Country North of Parsons
Farm country in hills north of Parsons, near an area known as Lead Mine, WV.
This area is famous as it was where several photos of the Vagabonds -- Thomas Edison, John Burroughs, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone -- were taken in 1918 of them camping in hills. About two decades later this area was home to a large CCC Camp that worked on reforestation projects in the area.
As seen from the Olson Fire Tower.
Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Monongahela National Forest.