General Information
The OES visited Shawnee Lookout Tower on April 27, 2002 and made a return trip on July 19, 2003. Deep into the Wayne National Forest, the lookout tower was built to protect the developing forest from wildfire. The Shawnee Lookout Tower was one of four lookout towers that were built in the 1930s. This particular tower was built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It is the only one of these four that remain standing today. Shawnee Lookout Tower was manned and used for fire detection until sometime in the 1970s. Our founder's uncle once made a movie there during his high school years in the mid-1970s; so it must have been abandoned in the early 1970s. The tower is made of steel with wooden steps, is 100 feet tall, and the cabin at the top is seven square feet. Originally there was a cabin, restroom, and garage at the site, but they have all since been torn or burned down. It was also one of the first sites in the area to have telephone service in 1935. In 1989 Shawnee Lookout Tower had fallen into disrepair as it had been around fifteen years since it was used as an active lookout tower. Since the structure was still sound after standing for fifty years, it was restored. The tower is now open to the public for anyone to climb to the top. The view from the top of the tower is awesome. Even on a rainy day, we could see for many miles. It's nice to see a restored abandoned structure that everyone can enjoy. NOTE: The Shawnee Lookout Tower was closed temporarily in 2004 due to wind damage. The park service is currently determining how and when repairs can be made. Thanks goes to Shannon and Rodney for taking us to the Shawnee Lookout Tower.
 
 Location Information: Public Park
Shawnee Lookout Tower is located in the Wayne National Forest, off Sand Run-New Straitsville Rd near New Straitsville, Hocking County.
 
 Photographs
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The Shawnee Lookout Tower as seen from the ground.
 
 360º Panoramics
Lookout Tower

 Shawnee Lookout Tower: A 360º photo of the view from the tower's cabin. (448k)

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