Massachusetts Fire Towers
Sunderland Tower
Massachusetts State Tower #33


Sunderland
Tower in 2016
(photo courtesy Jack Kelley)

 

Town: Sunderland
County: Franklin
Mountain or Hill: Mount Toby
Height above sea level: 1269 FT
Tower Structure Height: 68 FT
Latitude: 42-29-27
Longitude: 72-32-17
First date of operation: Sep 1, 1923
Type: Steel Tower

 

 

Other Photos

Sunderland Tower in 1995
(photo courtesy Henry Isenberg)

New tower in 1923
(photo courtesy Jack Kelley)

Tree Platform in 1923
(photo courtesy Henry Isenberg)

 

Notes

  • This is currently an active state tower
  • In 1923, an open wooden tree platform is used.
  • Later in 1923, a group of women from Sunderland burned down the crow's nest. A 58 FT tower was purchased by the Massachusetts Agricultural College and erected by the Forestry Department in the summer of 1923
  • This tower was destroyed in the great hurricane of 1938
  • In 1939, a new 68 FT tower is built
  • In 1947, two-way radios are installed
  • The tower erected in 1939 is also destroyed in a hurricane in 1950
  • In 1951, a replacement tower is erected
  • In 1966, a new cab and fence is built
  • In 2002, a new cab was built

 


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