A landmark that rises high above the treetops is likely the last of its kind in Crow Wing County.
The historic fire tower on County Road 11 near Pequot Lakes is the last vestige of a series of fire towers designed to provide early warning of a fire in the heavily wooded region.
Crow Wing County Commissioner Paul Thiede told the board Tuesday there is an interest in exploring options to raise funds to restore and maintain the tower but no one wants to take responsibility for it as a liability issue.
The tower, Thiede said, is fenced off by the DNR now. The cities of Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes and the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association have expressed an interest in keeping the tower from being torn down.
Thiede said it appears the tower is the last in the county. There is an effort being made to at least look at the issue, Thiede said, adding a lot of people are kicking the idea around to see what can be done.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at 855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com.
Comments (6)
Add commentTear it Down
I am sure the the city council in PL will find some money someplace LOL!!!!! Maybe the mayor can send out a "survey" about it like she did the Bypass!!!!!!
Squirrel
Years ago they gave people a Squirrel Card for climbing it. After that it was fun, scarey, traditional. But hey, it probably is a hazard by now.
Seemed to sway a little 40 years ago. Or maybe it was fear...
tower
it was fun when you used to be able to climb it.. if they are not going to let people up there, might as well tear it down, what good is it?
Emily Tower.
I believe the tower near Emily is still standing so there is at least one other in Crow Wing co. Any body been out to the Emily tower lately?
Emily tower
I think you are thinking about the Ben Draper tower north of Emily. It is in Cass County. I haven't been to Ben Draper in awhile so I'm not sure if it is still standing.
The Emily tower was about 2
The Emily tower was about 2 miles north of the Green Roof store on the east side of hwy 6.