Registry # US 853, AL 32
Blacksher Tower is located on Tower Road ESE of Uriah Alabama.
It is in Monroe County, Alabama
31°19’12.0″N 87°33’36.0″W
This tower was constructed in 1941.
Blacksher is a 120′ It is an International Derrick tower with 7’x7′ cab.
It was started by CC Camp 1485 and completed by the AFC.
Blacksher Tower near Uriah was last manned by Forest Rangers Ernest Johnson and Johnny Kline. Blacksher Tower was manned until around 1988.
The following information was graciously shared by his daughter of Mr Ernest Johnson, Judy Johnson Hendrix. “Ernest A. Johnson began working with the Forestry Commission as a forest patrolman at Blacksher Firetower in October, 1963. He retired in March, 1990 having reached the rank of forest ranger. My mother, Bendia Johnson, worked as the towerman that first fire season (fall and winter.) When it was not fire season, the state did not employ a towerman, the patrolman would man the tower. We lived in a four-room house (owned by the state) near the foot of the tower. When we first moved there, the only indoor plumbing was a cold water pipe to the kitchen sink. (We did eventually get an indoor bathroom.) Around 1985, the state decided to no longer maintain these houses, so my parents vacated the house. I have many fond memories growing up at Blacksher Firetower. I served as part-time towerman from the time I turned 16 until I graduated from high school, November, 1966 to June, 1969. My sister, Kathy Johnson Anthony replaced me.”
Mr Will McKinley served on it before then Mr Johnson.
If you have info on who served and what years please share in the comments below.
I don’t think anyone manned Blacksher tower after my dad retired. The state advanced to airplane surveillance which was more manpower efficient.
Her retired what year 1985?
Ernest Johnson retired from the Forestry Commission in 1990.