The Catskills have welcomed back a historic landmark with the restoration of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower in the Delaware County hamlet of Bloomville, which officially opened to the public on January 4. The first public visitors braved icy winds and freezing temperatures to ascend the tower, marking a triumphant return for this iconic structure after more than 50 years. Visitors included locals from Andes and Roxbury as well as adventurers from as far as Lake George and Utica. Among them were members of the Clark family, whose donation of the tower made the project possible.
The fire tower, originally constructed in 1950 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), played a pivotal role in fire detection. For two decades, fire observers worked alongside counterparts on Mount Utsayantha and Balsam Lake Mountain to safeguard the surrounding forests and communities. Decommissioned in 1970, the tower was sold to local farmer Pete Clark and removed from its perch. Decades later, the Catskill Mountain Club seized the opportunity to restore it to its original location, recognizing its potential to enhance recreation, education, and tourism.
Tina Mole, chairperson of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors, emphasizes the tower’s significance: “Delaware County is excited to see the newly reconstructed Bramley Mountain Fire Tower completed,” she says. “I am proud of all the work that went into making this a reality, and I want to thank the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower for their diligence and perseverance. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the county as they make their way up the mountain to catch a glimpse of what makes Delaware County such a special place to live.”
The effort to reconstruct the tower was spearheaded by the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower, a volunteer organization formed in 2020. Over four years, they navigated complex permitting processes and secured funding with the support of donors, local businesses, and government agencies. The project was further bolstered by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which owns the land. The DEP improved access roads and created additional parking, ensuring the site’s accessibility to the growing number of hikers.
Paul Rush, DEP Bureau of Water Supply Deputy Commissioner, notes the tower’s dual historic and ecological importance. “This fully restored iconic asset represents an historic era of critical forest protection as we continue working with all of our community partners today protecting the natural resources throughout the Catskill Mountain region,” Rush says. “DEP is proud to have partnered with Delaware County to enable the return of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower to its summit perch overlooking the forests of the Cannonsville and Pepacton watersheds.”
The restored tower offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Catskills and beyond. To the north and west, visitors can see Bloomville’s rolling farmland; to the south and east, Lake Delaware and the Pepacton Range stretch into the horizon. On clear days, binoculars reveal distant landmarks such as the fire towers on Balsam Lake Mountain and Mount Utsayantha, as well as wind turbines near Deposit, some 60 miles away.
Ann Roberti, president of the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower, is grateful and optimistic for the tower’s future. “We’re so excited to finally be able to open the tower to the public, and we are so grateful to everyone who helped make this possible—the Clark Family, Delaware County, the NYC DEP, and all the generous donors. There’s still more we are planning to do, including signage identifying visible mountains and other landmarks and benches for the summit.”
The Friends group is currently recruiting volunteer stewards to enhance the visitor experience. From the end of May through the middle of October stewards will staff the tower on weekends and holidays, sharing historical insights and lending binoculars to visitors. Announcements of additional winter and spring openings will be made via the group’s social media channels.
The restoration of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower is not just a local achievement but a national milestone. While other fire towers have been restored or relocated, the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower is the first to have been disassembled, stored for decades, and reassembled at its original location. This feat preserves a tangible link to the region’s past while offering a new chapter of recreation and exploration.
This article appears in January 2025.
