The Moore Lookout Tower is a historic fire lookout tower located on Scott County Road 503 in Forest, Scott County, Mississippi. Built in 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the tower is a rare example of its type and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]
Moore Lookout Tower | |
 Moore Lookout Tower in 1997 | |
   | |
 Location in Mississippi | |
| Location | Scott County Road 503, Forest, Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°24′14″N 89°28′01″W / 32.4040°N 89.4670°W |
| Built | 1940 |
| Architect | Civilian Conservation Corps |
| Architectural style | No Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001283 |
| Added to NRHP | October 28, 1999 |
History
editThe Moore Lookout Tower was constructed in 1940 as part of the early development of the National Forests in Mississippi during the 1930s and 1940s.[2] It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a key New Deal program that provided jobs and developed infrastructure during the Great Depression.[3] The tower is named for its location in the Bienville National Forest.[3]
Design
editThe tower stands at 100 feet tall and features a distinctive design where the staircase wraps around the exterior of the steel frame, unlike other fire towers with internal stairs.[3] The lookout cab at the top is constructed from wood, with weatherboard siding and a wood-shingled hipped roof.[2] The cab includes a deck surrounded by chain-link fencing for safety and has one-over-one double-hung metal frame windows.[3]
Significance
editThe Moore Lookout Tower is the only known example of its specific type in Mississippi, making it a unique and valuable historical structure.[3] It is significant both locally and statewide under Criterion C of the National Register of Historic Places criteria for its unique architectural characteristics and its role in forest conservation efforts during the early 20th century.[1] The tower is recognized for its significance in the area of architecture during the period of 1925–1949.[1]
Associated structures
editAt the base of the tower is a nonhistoric, one-story concrete block radio hut with a flat roof, which does not contribute to the historical significance of the tower.[1]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d United States Department of the Interior (October 28, 1999). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Moore Lookout Tower". National Park Service. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ a b "National Forests in Mississippi - History & Culture". US Forest Service. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Baughn, Jennifer V.O.; Fazio, Michael W.; Miller, Mary Warren (2012). "Moore Lookout Tower". SAH Archipedia. Society of Architectural Historians. Retrieved May 25, 2024.