January 29, 2020
Announcing the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower
The newly formed Friends of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower group held its first meeting on the evening of January 6th at the O'Connor Hospital in Delhi. The Friends were formed to organize the reconstruction of the fire tower that was decommissioned by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in 1970 and removed in 1975. The tower was purchased by Pete Clark, who meticulously stored the tower's parts right down to the nuts and bolts in his barn. It is well preserved as a result. Three years ago Tom Clark, the current owner, approached the Catskill Mountain Club with an offer to allow the tower to be restored if the CMC could lead the effort. With the formation of the Friends group, the effort to raise funds and complete the resurrection of the tower has officially begun.
In 2008 the NYC Department of Environmental Protection acquired the Bramley Mountain parcel and in 2016 the DEP allowed the Catskill Mountain Club to build a trail to the summit. The trail has been very popular with the public, drawing over 1500 hikers a year, some of them from as far away as Europe and Africa. Now, with the support and cooperation of the Town of Delhi and of the DEP as well as widespread support in Bovina, Hamden, Kortright, Andes and other local communities, the CMC have formed the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower with several community leaders to move the project to completion.
Among those agreeing to serve on the Friends' board of directors are Ann Roberti, who will serve as president. Ann shepherded the project through the approval stages with Rick Roberts, who will serve as Vice-President. They will be joined by Amy Beveridge, David DeForest, Wendell George, Don Harris, Jillienne LaFever, Laurie Rankin, John Sandman, Jeff Senterman and Doug Sluiter.
Right now, the view of the Western Catskills from the ledge of the mountaintop is impressive. But when the tower is rebuilt, and hikers can climb it to see above the treeline, the 360-degree views of the Catskills and of the Delaware River Valley will be spectacular. Based on evidence from other Catskill Mountain Fire Towers which have been restored, once the fire tower is up, the number of out-of-town visitors to the trail will grow exponentially. Many of those visitors will shop, eat and stay in the surrounding towns, helping create more vibrant communities and supporting local businesses.
The Friends welcome donations now as we raise the funds needed for start up expenses, including complete engineering drawings. We also welcome community based help from anyone who would like to volunteer their time to help with the work needed to raise funds, paint components of the fire tower, maintain the fire tower, and staff the cabin when the tower opens.
For more information, to donate, volunteer or to join our email list visit the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower web page or email the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower at bramleyfiretowerfriends@catskillmountainclub.org.
Bramley Mountain Fire Tower c.1950
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