The Groton Fire Tower is a hidden gem located in Groton, Massachusetts. The steel tower stands 68 feet tall at the top of Gibbet Hill. This makes the top of the tower 400 feet above sea level. The tower currently standing at the top of the hill is actually the second tower on the site. The first tower was built in 1941 after the US Forest Service acquired the land. This first tower went into operation on September 15, 1941.

A new tower was needed in the 1950s due to the poor condition of the original. In 1957, the current 68-foot steel tower was erected complete with a 10×10 FT cab. This new tower was far stronger than the original and it was also equipped with the best technology available at the time. The tower remains standing today and is still an active state tower owner and operated by the US Forest Service.

Be sure to also go explore Bancroft’s Castle which is just a few hundred feet from the Groton Fire Tower!