Indiana park's fire tower reopens decades after its closure

SPENCER, Ind. (AP) - A fire tower that commands spectacular views of a southern Indiana forest has reopened decades after it was shuttered.

The 86-foot-tall (26.2-meter-tall) tower in McCormick's Creek State Park was closed 30 years ago after being judged unsafe. But it reopened to climbers Wednesday following a renovation paid for by park supporters who raised more than $100,000.

Visitors can now hike to the tower and climb 105 steps to an enclosed cab to take in the impressive forest views.

The Herald-Times reports that the tower was built in 1935 in the park near the town of Spencer by members of the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps.

The tower is located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Bloomington. It's one of 12 fire towers still standing in Indiana's state parks and forests.

___

Information from: The Herald Times, http://www.heraldtimesonline.com