A Historic Fire Tower Finds New Life at Smith Lake
By Brandy Jo Hastings
What makes someone wake up one day and decide to buy a fire tower? For Huntsville’s Billy Claunch, it started with a casual conversation at the gym three years ago when a fellow CrossFit enthusiast mentioned that the historic Joe B. Shirley Fire Tower at Monte Sano State Park was for sale. Claunch immediately jumped on the phone with his friend and business partner and proudly said, “Hey man, I’m buying a fire tower!”
A fire tower fits in perfectly with Claunch’s background, since he’s been the co-owner of Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus for over 20 years. The company is the largest buyer and seller of used fire trucks in the Western Hemisphere, and this seemed like a cool opportunity to be able to give a new home to this important piece of fire protection history.
The original plan was for the tower to take residence at the company’s headquarters in Union Grove. “I thought it would be an awesome fire industry relic to have on the property,” Claunch says.
But then, he came up with an even better idea. Instead of housing it at their corporate headquarters where they would be the only ones enjoying it, he found another home for the tower where it could be most appreciated, loved, and used by everyone.
Choosing the perfect location
Rewind to seven years before that, and Claunch had already started purchasing land in Cullman County near the Crane Hill community for another passion project that would allow others to experience the natural serenity of the Smith Lake area. He didn’t have a name, but he had a vision for a place that included lodging, trails and more. He then found a way to combine his passions into what is now called Fire Tower Camp. That meant the fire tower could move there and have a permanent home in Crane Hill, in a place where it could be enjoyed by all.
The fire tower was produced by the Aermotor Windmill Company and constructed in 1968 by the Alabama Forestry Commission. It served an important purpose at that time, as it played a critical role in forest conservation. It gained its historical notoriety in 2006 when it was listed on the National Historic Lookout Register, but for decades, the fire tower sat only as a scenic landmark at Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville. Visitors couldn’t climb it, and the tower hasn’t served a purpose for years — but that’s about to change.
The fire tower was deconstructed and is currently being rebuilt at Fire Tower Camp. Moving and reconstructing a 100-foot fire tower made of galvanized steel is no easy feat, but it’s a labor of love for Claunch. He’s sincerely thankful for those in the local community who have been instrumental in helping with the reconstruction, saying, “All of the work that has been done on the tower and at Fire Tower Camp has been by people I met at the Crane Hill Food Mart.”
While a small tower with signage greets you upon arrival at Fire Tower Camp, the main attraction is expected to be fully rebuilt by late 2025 or early 2026 — and Claunch welcomes everyone to come climb it as soon as it is complete. Next spring they’ll celebrate the fire tower with a formal open house.
So what can you expect to see if you make the journey to the top of the tower? Claunch can’t contain his excitement when he talks about the views. “You’ll see a good part of the Crane Hill area,” he says. “There will be great views of Smith Lake, Lick Creek and Ryan Creek.”
Claunch says part of his inspiration came from the Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association, which has restored a couple of historic fire towers near Lake Martin. He speaks highly of their work, and says it motivated him to create his own 501(c)(3) organization called the Smith Lake Trails and Tower Association.
He shared his mission for the organization, which is a member of Cullman EC. “The goal is to allow access for the public to enjoy the outdoors in and around Smith Lake.” If he gets to preserve these bits of fire protection history in the process, that’s a bonus for him.
The Disney World Fire Truck: Disney enthusiasts will be excited to see a unique piece of memorabilia. While some people go to Disney World and bring home mouse ears or T-shirts as souvenirs, Claunch brought home a fire truck. The Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters have the responsibility of providing fire protection to the theme park, and one of their retired trucks now lives at Fire Tower Camp.
Hiking trails: Currently there are over two miles of developed trails, with several more in progress. The current trails take you through the forest, alongside Smith Lake, and past hidden waterfalls. One even takes you to a scenic spot known as Bank Robber’s Bluff. That’s where you’ll find a makeshift home built into the side of the bluff. Rumor has it that in the early 20th century, a bank robber hid out in the area.
The Treehouse: At the moment, there are four properties that visitors can rent and stay overnight, but one stands out — the treehouse (left). Situated along the shoreline of Smith Lake, you can see the magnificent display of craftsmanship as you cruise by on the water. More treehouses are planned, but there’s also another special lodging opportunity on the horizon, too — a special fire tower cabin located at the base of the fire tower. Visit firetowercamp.com for more information.
