The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Grafton’s Dickinson Hill Fire Tower Is Being Restored

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by Randy Kneer
The Dickinson Hill Fire Tower in Grafton is being restored by the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park, and they are doing a wonderful job. The Fire Tower is almost 100 years old. So far the stair boards, cab flooring, stair raisers, window bars and the X braces on the tower have been replaced by Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park and Dave Vana LLC Fire Tower Restoration.

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Dave Vana and the workers in the Davana LLC Fire Tower Restoration company were hard at work in early May restoring the structural elements of the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower. Photo by Randy Kneer.

Vana helps restore fire towers across the country, replacing what parts they need. He also erects fire towers on land for people who want to purchase fire towers.
Pretty soon the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower will be open to the public. The fire tower is located in the Grafton Lakes State Park. Grafton’s Helen Ellett, 98 years old,  was the fire observer for the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower for 16 years. It is her dream coming true to see the Fire Tower restored.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave Vana of Davana LLC Fire Tower Restoration tightening a bolt on one of the X braces high on the Fire Tower. Photo by Randy Kneer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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