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Bald (Rondaxe) Mountain
Fire Tower Restoration Project
Website Provided By
Friends of Bald Mt., Box
914, Old Forge,
NY 13420
2022-2023 - Great progress the last two years! - Link
2020-2021 - Our Work During a Pandemic - Link
2019 - Our Work Continues - Link
2018 - Link to Our
Work This Year
2017 - Link to Our Fire Tower's 100th Year
2016 FoBM - 99th Year for Our Tower - Link
Fundraiser Patches - NO
LONGER AVAILABLE!
2015 FoBM - Update on our Historic Tower - Link
2014 FoBM - Countdown to 100th - Link
2013 FoBM Update - Link
2012 Spring Workdays - Link
PLUS-Unbelievable Links to a
Virtual Panoramic Views of the Summit
2011 Spring Vandals on the Summit UPDATED - Link
2010 News from FOBM link
2009 Progress Report – and photos!
2008 – Phase III of the Restoration Project Continues
Link to Photos of the
New KIOSK installed in June!
2007 NEWS – from FoBM
2006 Progress Report - We're
Still Working!
Summit Report
2005!
Party on the
Summit! - Dedication Day
Re-Opening-Dedication
Set for June 18, 2005
2004
Work Project Photos
Nov. 2004 - Security
Fence Installation - Donor Thank Yous!
September 25th-26th - Fire Spotters - 3-days of great progress!
September 18th - Platforms-New Cab Floor! - Great weather helps crews!
September 15th - Supply Drop by Helicopter - Coordinated by DEC!
September 8th, 2004 -Trash - Vandals - But . . . Progress Link!
August 11th, 2004 - Mystery Summit Volunteers - haul platform boards
June 5th, 2004 - HOW DID THEY
DO THAT? - painting the fire tower
Notes from our Supporters - Link
July Financial Report - Link
Bald (Rondaxe) Mt. Map
Location from TopoZone
also
Fire
Tower History - in vintage photos! Updated 12/04!
2003 Workday Photos
from June-July-August-September
In June of 2003, this is
what the tower looked like. If you haven't climbed to the tower recently,
check out these pictures!
Marty Podskoch - Adirondack Fire Towers Book with Bald Mt. History
April 2003: Funds raised to date: $4,415!!
Great Story - Bob &
Janet Evans - Former Observers
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Friends of Bald Mountain
Steering Committee
In May of
2002, members of the Rochester based Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack
Mountain Club organized a meeting in Old Forge, NY for anyone interested in
forming a committee to develop a plan for restoring the Fire Tower on Bald
Mountain. The Bald Mountain Tower, also known as the Rondaxe
Fire Tower, was officially closed by the Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) in 1990. More than 10 years of harsh weather and
lack of maintenance have left the historic tower in great need of repairs. A
committee was formed that evening to begin the task of restoring the tower to
its original condition, developing an educational component that highlights
the tower's human and environmental history, and to recruit partners who
would lend manpower and financial support for the project.
Partnerships
The steering
committee is working with The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and signed a formal 5-yr.
"Adopt-A-Natural-Resource"
agreement with the DEC. In addition to restoring the tower, the committee
worked with local DEC personnel on trail maintenance, improve signage,
and an educational component to teach good conservation practices
including fire prevention. Adirondack Architectural Heritage
(AARCH), located in Keeseville, NY, served as our not-for-profit
sponsor for the first five years of our restoration project.
We were fortunate to have several members of the Genesee Chapter of ADK in Rochester on our steering committee.
They are committed to recruiting additional laborers for tower work projects,
trail maintenance, and helping to publicize our efforts to raise funds for
the restoration of the Bald
Mt. Tower.
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