MISSOURI LOOKOUTS

TAUM SAUK

Iron County
Missouri Conservation Commission
33N-3E-4

FY 1948-49:   A 80 acre towersite was acquired.   (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report)

March 28, 1949:  "Forest fire protection in Missouri will reach a new high on Taum Sauk mountain's 1772 foot elevation.  Here, at Missouri's highest point, a 60-foot forest fire tower is to be erected, from which to spot fires in the 100,500-acre Iron county extension of Sam A. Baker fire protection district.
     An 80-acre tract at the top of the mountain was recently purchased by the forestry division of the Missouri Commission from Irene Ake of Ironton.  Already a jeep trail has been opened up to tower site, and a good all-weather road will be under construction soon.
     State forester George O. White looks forward to construction of the tower and of roads to allow sightseers an opportunity to visit this scenic spot.  Taum Sauk has always been unreachable except by foot or on horseback."  (Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune)

July 28, 1949:  "The steel structure of the 85-foot fire tower atop Taum Sauk mountain, highest point in Missouri, is now being erected.  Construction of the tower has been delayed by heavy rains and the lack of adequate road facilities to the tower site.  Actual construction of the permanent road to the top of the historic mountain has not begun, and at present there is no way for tourists wishing to visit the top of the mountain to get there by car."  (The Sikeston Herald)

1949-1950:   The 'Official Manual of the State of Missouri'  indicates that the towersite is owned by the Missouri Conservation Commission and is 80 acres in size.

March 2, 1950:   "Proving that the old gray mare will do what she used to.  Sam Jones, temporary towerman of the Sam A. Baker fire protection district will, during the coming Spring fire season, climb astride Nelly his trusty mare and ride three miles to and from the tower each day.
      Cause for the situation is Taum Sauk Mountain--highest point in the state (elevation, 1772).  About a year ago, the forestry division of the Conservation Commission purchased a towersite atop Taum Sauk.  The tower was erected but a suitable road leading to the rugged landmark has not yet been completed."   (Gasconade County Republican)

November 7, 1950:  "Fabled old Taum Sauk mountain -- highest point in the state and site of a Conservation Commission forest fire lookout tower -- will be accessible by an all weather road sometime next spring, State Forester George O. White has announced.
     White said that since the Commission acquired an 80-acre tract atop Taum Sauk over a year ago and constructed the tower, many people have been making local inquiry as to how they might reach the site.  But Taum Sauk has never been accessible, except by foot, muleback and, more recently, by jeep.  The new road, of which the right-of-way is now being cleared, will take off Highway 21 about five miles south of Ironton at a point known as "Tip-Top."  Signs will be erected at the entrance, designating the tower route.  White said that construction of the road, which will wind for three miles through rugged terrain, will begin within two weeks.
      Taum Sauk's highest point is 1772 feet above sea level; the spot where the is located is something over 1760 feet.  The tower itself is a 60-foot steel job equipped with stairway and landings and a ten by ten cab.
     Taum Sauk tower is one of many forest lookout towers erected and maintained by the Conservation Commission's forestry division to serve as detection points under an expanding program of co-operative forest fire protection and management.  State co-operative fire protection is being given to over six million acres of privately-owned land."  (The Southeast Missourian)

FY1951 - 52:  "The road to Taum Sauk Tower in Iron County was finished."   (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report FY 1951-52)

October 9, 1952:  "Taum Sauk tower, the conservation commission's highest fire control tower located on Taum Sauk mountain near Ironton, Mo., will be dedicated Sunday with ceremonies beginning at 2 p.m.
     The dedication, planned for the height of autumn color in the Ozarks, is sponsored by the Arcadia Valley Rotary Club.  Taum Sauk, the legendary hill mass, is Missouri's highest point.  It is reached from Highway 21 via a good marked mountain road turning west off State Highway 21 a few miles south of Ironton.
     The ceremonies will include band music, group singing, a demonstration of forestry division's fire-fighting equipment, tours of the area, trips up the tower and a minimum of speeches.  If the weather turns bad, the dedication will be postponed until the following Sunday.  Speakers will include Assistant Director Jay Morrow and Assistant State Forester Bill Towell of the conservation commission."  (Daily Capital News)

FY1952-53:  "A towerman's residence at Taum Sauk Tower was completed."   (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report FY 1952-53)

August 16, 1953:   "Accessible by automobile this summer for the second season is the summit of Missouri's tallest mountain, Taum Sauk.
      Already hundreds of visitors from nearly every state in the Union, and even some from Canada, have made the trip over a new all-weather road from highway 21 to the top of the 1,772-foot Ozark peak here in Southeast Missouri.  The road was built last year by the forest service to build a new all-steel lookout tower atop the mountain.  The tower is used for spotting forest fires."  (The Kansas City Star)

FY1956-57:  "A barn and chicken house were erected at Taum Sauk Towersite."   (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report FY 1956-57)

FY1958-59:  "Water system installed at the Taum Sauk towersite."   (Missouri Conservation Commission Annual Report FY1958-59)

FY 1966-67:   "The tower cab at Taum Sauk received a new roof and siding."   (Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report FY 1966-67)

FY1969-70:   "New construction included a latrine at Taum Sauk."   (Annual Report of the Missouri Department of Conservation)

1974:   "The privy roof was replaced at Taum Sauk."   (Annual Report of the Department of Conservation)

1976:   "A new roof was installed at the Taum Sauk Tower residence."   (Annual Report of the Department of Conservation)

FY1975-76:  "Constructed a road at Taum Sauk Tower Site."   (Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report)

FY1981-82:   "Remodeled the bathroom at the Taum Sauk tower residence."   (Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report)