INDIAN TRAIL
Missouri Lookouts - Dent County - Missouri Conservation Commission - 35N-4W-34
November 25, 1926: "Chief McCanse and Forester Dunlap have ordered a steel fire tower for Indian Trail State Park, to be used to locate fires in the Park. It will be erected at the old Fishwater Iron Mine. It is hoped to keep fire out of the timber so it will grow into commercial value." (The Sullivan News)
August 26, 1927: "A 90-ft. steel observation tower is under construction at Indian Trail State Park. It is located almost in the center of the park near Fish Water Pond.
The purpose of the tower is to enable the game warden to keep a lookout for forest fires in the growth of young white oak timber that is abundant in that section. The tower is located on a point that is one of the highest in that part of the county, and will enable the warden to see for miles around." (Washington Citizen)
September 13, 1927: "The Game and Fish Department has recently completed the erection of a steel observation tower at Indian Trail State Park which will make the detection of incipient forest fires less difficult and practically insure their being extinguished before they have reached dangerous proportions. Telephone connections make it possible to spread the alarm.
This is the second one of these towers erected by the Game and Fish Department, the other being at Deer Run State Park. The towers are also used to detect unlawful trespassers, for both these tracts enclose sanctuaries or game refuges in which the Department is propagating deer and wild turkey.
The towers are 73 feet in height to the deck upon which is a steel room 9 feet high at the peak. It is reached by a stairway consisting of 99 steps of 11 flights. The Indian Trail tower, like the one at Deer Run, is located on the highest point in the park, and practically every part of the tract is visible from the observation room." (Republican Tribune)
April 10, 1928: "Keith McCanse, state game and fish commissioner, has issued strict orders against fire hazards to the young timber growth here. He has installed a seventy-two-foot steel tower and connected the most remote portions of the park by a phone system, employed a forester and is going to proceed alone a rapid method of restoration of the young timber. This land once belonged to a furnace company who denuded it of all sizable timber in the making of charcoal." (Joplin News Herald)
April 15, 1928: Photo caption: "An observation tower for forest fires in Indian Trails State Park, fifteen miles northeast of Salem, lookouts keep sharp eyes on forests to extinguish immediately any flames that might spread and destroy homes of beasts and birds in the park." (The Kansas City Star)
December 19, 1935: "Towering high above the tallest tree top is an eighty foot steel fire tower. Here a towerman is constantly on duty during the fire season. With the help of a well organized fire patrol, a fire when once detected may be extinguished within ten minutes." (Gasconade County Republican)
1939-1941: 85-foot steel tower. (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report 1939-41)
1947-1948: The 'Official Manual of the State of Missouri' indicates that the towersite is owned by the Missouri Conservation Commission and is located in the Indian Trail State Forest.
FY1956-57: "Major repairs were made to the residence at Indian Trail." (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report FY 1956-57)
FY1958-59: "Water system installed at Indian Trail towersite." (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report FY1958-59)
FY1973-74: "A three-bedroom residence was constructed at the Indian Trail tower site. A new parking lot and entrance road were constructed to Indian Trail tower. The well pump at this location was also repaired." (Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report)