NORTHUMBERLAND—After writing the book Almost in the Clouds! The Story of the Miskimon Fire Tower, Miskimon, Virginia in the spring of 2024, Susan Anthony-Tolbert wanted to ensure that the beloved fire tower was noted nationwide.
In her book-presentations throughout the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, it became obvious how popular this local tower was and is. At these various events the audience shared wonderful stories and memories, she said.
Almost in the Clouds sold out several times. In her research on fire towers a number of organizations, clubs and societies throughout the U.S. whose mission is to refurbish, celebrate, preserve and advertise these historic lookouts were discovered. One of them is the National Historic Lookout Register, which strives to honor those towers which have played significant roles in forest conservation through fire detection and fire suppression, said Anthony-Tolbert.
In April 2024 Anthony-Tolbert filled out the forms for the placement of the Miskimon Fire Tower on this Register. This involved a detailed description of the tower, recent pictures, its historical background, its cost when built in 1938, the manufacturer and the local builders, she said. In addition, its exact location in terms of longitude and latitude had to be supplied.
The National Historic Lookout Register thoroughly checks the information provided. This takes time. And those submitting fire towers for consideration are warned that “Not all Towers qualify!”
When Anthony-Tolbert didn’t hear back in the course of over a year and a half, it seemed that the local tower may not have been accepted. But then on January 2, she received an email from Brian Powell, manager of the National Historic Lookout Register, in which he indicated that the Miskimon Tower had been placed on the Register.
This is often a first step toward acceptance in the National Register of Historic Places, said Anthony-Tolbert.
Because of this current placement enthusiasts of fire towers/lookouts from all over the country and even internationally will be able to access its story on the internet, to see photos and to find its precise location. Undoubtedly some will visit the site to see it firsthand.
“It’s a grand old Tower and contains so much history. I’m so pleased that it has received recognition,” she said.
In the research for Almost in the Clouds Anthony-Tolbert credits Ken Sterner, district forester of the Tidewater District of Virginia, Karen Hart, executive director of the Lancaster Virginia Historical Society, and Virginia Burgess, executive secretary of the Northumberland County Historical Society, with providing her with numerous leads and contacts.
