PanethosIndiana is likely not the first state to come to mind when looking for forest fire lookout towers. Quite a few were constructed in the more forested southern half of the state. North of Indianapolis where farmland and lakes tend to dominate the landscape, only three were built.
Winamac Tower Ouabache TowerDuring the past week, I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to scale the two remaining lookout towers in the northern part of the Hoosier State – the 90-foot tall Winamac Fire Tower in Tippecanoe River State Park and the 100-foot tall fire tower near Bluffton, Indiana in Ouabache State Park.
Tower top window view from the Ouabache Fire Lookout TowerBoth towers were built for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. According to the National Historic Lookout Registry, the Winamac Fire Tower was constructed in 1937 by the Works Project Administration (WPA). It is located in the north-northwest part of the state between Lafayette and South Bend.
ScreenshotMeanwhile, the Ouabache Fire Tower was constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The tower in located in the northeast part of the Hoosier State south of Fort Wayne. It was refurbished in 2019 using funds raised by the Friends of Oubache State Park. As the Ouabache Fire Lookout Tower not yet on the national registry, I will be submitting it for hopeful inclusion in 2024.
Winamac Tower stairs Ouabache Tower stairsThese two handsome towers are historic testaments to the dedication of forest fire lookouts across the country and especially in the state of Indiana. For this native born Hoosier, it was hard not to feel a sense of pride for my home state and especially its efforts to preserve these amazing historic structures. Hopefully, future opportunities will arise for viewing and/or climbing some of the remaining fire lookout tower in the southern half of the state as well.
Peace!
SOURCES:
- https://livingnewdeal.org/sites/tippecanoe-river-state-park-firetower-winamac/
- http://nhlr.org/lookouts/us/in/winamac-fire-tower/
- https://www.indianalandmarks.org/2017/07/friends-group-ignites-fire-tower-renovation/
- https://www.indianafiretowers.com/ouabache/
- https://www.indianafiretowers.com/winamac/
- Interpretative signage at the two towers
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/tippecanoe-river-state-park/
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/ouabache-state-park/
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Tippecanoe River State Park
Paddlers of all kinds will enjoy the Tippecanoe River that meanders seven miles along the eastern border of the park. Oak forests, pine plantations, prairie habitats, marshes and the occasional sand dune also offer various habitats for the extensive hiking and horse trail network.