Read time: 6 min.

I’m a sucker for obscure history, especially when it’s Hoosier history. I love to fall down abstruse rabbit holes and disappear into research vortices that most people don’t bother with! That’s why I’m always excited to meet someone else who’s just as willing to chase their own obscure interest, like Dean Alger. The result, his brand-new book Indiana’s Historic Fire Towers, makes everything richer for those who appreciate the overlooked.

I grew up in a part of Indiana where the landscape is dominated by farmland. Most of the forests here disappeared generations ago, so fire towers weren’t a part of my world. My interest in them didn’t begin until I accidentally stumbled across a blog while I was trying to track down the location of an old county infirmary. As so often happens, one obscure topic led to another, and before long I found myself fascinated by these forgotten sentinels of Indiana’s woodlands.

Late last year, my stepdad, niece, and I visited Ouabache State Park to see its resident bison herd. The habitat sits just north of the park’s historic fire tower, so I wandered over to snap a few photos. None of my family seemed interested in climbing it, which worked out perfectly- I’m terrified of open stairs! After I got home, I dug into the tower’s history and satisfied my curiosity. I figured that would be the end of it until Dean Alger reached out.

Dean and I first connected online about three years ago when we compared notes about Indiana’s artesian wells. Dean was researching the state’s natural wonders for what he hoped would become a book, but he quickly ran into an unexpected problem: there were too many fascinating places to cover! Eventually, he stumbled across a newspaper article about Indiana’s historic fire towers. The lonely, looming structures captured his imagination. Dean decided to visit every surviving tower in the state, uncover their stories, and turn his project into a book.

After three years of climbing, digging through historical records, and writing, Indiana’s Historic Fire Towers became a reality. I confess to being ignorant about Indiana’s network of towers until I read Dean’s book cover to cover. At their peak, forty-one of them stood watch over the state’s forests, mostly in the heavily wooded southern counties. Unfortunately, time hasn’t been kind to them: many have been demolished, but thirteen built between about 1927 and 1941 still stand on public land today. They range from 80 to 120 feet tall, and eleven remain open for adventurous visitors willing to make the climb. 

I am not an adventurous visitor, and I won’t spoil the journey Dean takes his readers on. Still, Indiana’s Historic Fire Towers is the definitive guide to those remarkable structures. It doesn’t just cover the thirteen surviving public towers; the book also serves as an invaluable resource for history buffs who want to track down the remnants of towers that have disappeared or learn about the few that still stand on private property.

I’m the kind of person who loves data just as much as the story behind it. When I’m out exploring, I appreciate a quick-reference table that lets me compare sites at a glance. Thankfully, Dean’s book delivers both. Indiana’s Historic Fire Towers includes easy-to-use tables packed with facts and figures, but it also tells the story of each tower through engaging, well-researched narratives. The result is the best of both worlds: a book that’s every bit as valuable as a reference guide as it is an enjoyable read.

Of the fire towers still standing in Indiana, Dean lists Hickory Ridge as his favorite. It isn’t the tallest or the oldest, but it’s hard to beat the setting: hidden away in the heart of the Hoosier National Forest, Hickory Ridge offers the thrill of climbing a historic fire tower followed by miles of scenic hiking through mature hardwood forest. If you’re a rockhound, there’s another bonus: the ravines along the trails are known for producing plenty of geodes. I’ll have to venture out to see it!

Hickory Ridge is one fire tower that has been restored, but others continue to rust away in quiet corners of Indiana’s forests. Every one of them deserves a future, though. Although their utility has been superseded by aircraft, the towers still stand watch over Indiana’s forests. They’re tangible reminders of an era that’s fading from memory.

I’d love to see every remaining tower preserved and appreciated by future generations. If you feel the same after reading Dean’s book, consider reaching out to Indiana’s leaders. Let the Secretary of Energy & Natural Resources know these landmarks matter. Your state legislators should hear it, too. Public support can turn preservation from a nice idea into reality! If you do write, tell them Dean Alger and Indiana’s Historic Fire Towers inspired you.

Before I wrap up, here’s one last thing. Dean generously offered to send me a complimentary copy of Indiana’s Historic Fire Towers, but I bought my own because I wanted to support his work. I didn’t plan to post to about the book, but after reading it cover to cover, I couldn’t help but recommend it. If you have even the slightest interest in Indiana’s forests, historic landmarks, or quirky roadside destinations, I think you’ll find it well worth adding to your shelf.

I’m not an Amazon affiliate, and I won’t earn a dime if you decide to pick up a copy of Indiana’s Historic Fire Towers from a link you clicked here. I simply think it’s the best book available on these overlooked Indiana landmarks.