Built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Bays Mountain Park Fire Tower (aka Garden Mountain Fire Tower or ET-12) served the Forestry Service into the 1960s. This 100-ft tower is perched on 2,400-ft Holston River Mountain, allowing a view for miles in every direction.

That’s right! Technically this Fire Tower isn’t located on Bays Mountain but is found on Holston River Mountain, the ridge that borders Bays Mountain Park on the northern edge.

This fascinating article in the 1953 Kingsport Times-News explains what life was like for a fire tower lookout living at the base of the tower.

In addition to it’s official role, the tower also provided a very special service for a few local residents. One person who lived in Back Hollow in the 1960s said that on some evenings, the men in the family would hike up to the tower so they could listen to Sonny Liston fights on the radio!