Smith Mountain Fire Tower: A Sentinel Over Lake Martin

Perched atop Smith Mountain, the Smith Mountain Fire Tower is an iconic landmark with a rich history. Built in 1939 as a collaborative effort between the Alabama Power Company, the Tallapoosa County Forest Conservation Association, and the Alabama Forestry Commission, the 90-foot tower served as a crucial fire detection point for over four decades. Before the creation of Lake Martin, the area around Smith Mountain was heavily eroded due to timber clearing and poor agricultural practices. The construction of the dam in 1926 exacerbated the problem, leading to significant soil runoff into the lake. To combat this, Alabama Power partnered with various organizations to reforest the land, leading to the establishment of a fire detection network, with Smith Mountain as its first tower and district office. In 1980, the Alabama Forestry Service closed the tower, and the site fell into disrepair. However, in 2010, the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) took ownership and spearheaded its restoration. Today, the fully restored tower offers visitors stunning panoramic views of Lake Martin and the surrounding areas. Informative exhibits at the base of the tower detail the area's natural history, ecosystems, and cultural landscapes. The area also offers several hiking trails, including the popular Walker Bynum Smith Mountain Tower Trail, a steep 0.4-mile climb to the tower's base. Other trails include the Lakeshore Trail, the David M. Forker Island Hop/Boat Dock Trail, and the Little Smith Mountain Loop Trail.