Over 250 people gathered near the summit of Stratton Mountain on this day in 1914. They ranged in age from 13 months to 81 years old, and had gathered for the dedication of the Stratton Mountain fire lookout tower.

It was the first fire tower in southern Vermont and the first tower in the state to be made of steel. The 65 foot structure was built by the Stratton Mountain Club with help from the state.

The tower was partly destroyed by a severe storm in the winter of 1920-21, but a new tower was built by the C.C.C. in 1934. The Stratton tower was the first in Vermont to be added to the National Historic Lookout Register.

Photo courtesy the History of Stratton, Vermont by D.K. Young.