Hooker Mountain

Hooker Mountain is a 2,310-foot-tall (700 m) mountain in the Central New York region of New York. It is located in Otsego County northwest of the hamlet of Schenevus. In 1935, a 79-foot-6-inch-tall (24.23 m) fire tower was installed on the mountain by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The tower ceased operations at the end of 1970, and later sold and removed in 1975.

Hooker Mountain
Hooker Mountain Location of Hooker Mountain within New York Show map of New York Hooker Mountain Hooker Mountain (the United States) Show map of the United States
Highest point
Elevation	2,310 feet (700 m)[1]
Coordinates	42°35′53″N 74°51′35″W[1]
Geography
Location	Schenevus, New York, U.S.
Topo map	USGS Schenevus

History

In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a 79-foot-6-inch-tall (24.23 m) International Derrick tower that was provided to the state by the United States Forest Service. The tower was first used in 1936, and reported three fires. The tower was staffed until the use of aerial detection caused the closing at the end of the 1970. The tower was sold in 1975 for $490 and later removed. In November 2001, the person who purchased the tower, transferred it to Martin Podskoch, an author of three books on New York State Fire Towers. Martin Podskoch later moved to Connecticut, and the tower is now owned by the Town of Speculator. The town has not yet found a place to rebuild the tower.^[2]

A century ago Hooker Mountain was argued as one of the highest points in Otsego County, a title now held by Lutheranville Hill near East Worcester.

References

1. "Hooker Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
2. "Searchable list of NY Fire Towers". nysffla.org. The New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association. Retrieved November 12, 2021.