County looks to acquire historic fire tower overlooking northern Minn. forests

Thiede said during a county board meeting Tuesday: "I think there is a lot of community support for this—to get it back open to the public."

Thiede represents the area where the tower is located.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-owned fire tower, which closed to the public last year, was built in 1934. In 2017, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Pequot Lakes tower is no longer in use.

At Tuesday's meeting, Thiede spoke to other commissioners about his idea of having the DNR convey the tower to the county for the price of just $1 so it can be reopened to the public.

"I believe the county is the right one to own this because it sits on a 40-acre parcel of land that is a working forest," he said. "The cities don't have a forestry plan. We have the facilities to incorporate it in our own forestry plan."

Thiede added there's also a possibility for the area around the fire tower to become a public park someday and maybe even the site of a fire suppression museum.

Commissioner Paul Koering was skeptical at first.

"The question I have is what about liability?" Koering asked. "If we get into the business of Crow Wing County—or other counties—of developing a whole park system within our county ... pretty soon we're having to levy for this. I just don't know that that's really the core responsibility of Crow Wing County government."

In terms of liability, County Administrator Tim Houle said the county carries liability insurance, and the tower would fall under that umbrella of coverage. He added the county would, of course, want to assess the tower before acquiring it to make sure it isn't in danger of falling down.

Thiede said a lot of research has been done on how to make sure structures such as fire towers are secure enough to be open for public use.

As far as the county developing parks, Thiede said that's just a possibility down the road.

"I don't see this as a movement to start creating parks," he said, adding again his goal is to reopen the tower to the public, an idea that has the support of several local organizations, including the Pequot Lakes Historical Society.

According to a letter from Forrest Boe, director of the Minnesota DNR's Division of Forestry, the DNR is willing to work with the county on the conveyance process. The $1 price, however, might have to be negotiated when the time comes.

Thiede said he would just like to be able to direct the land services department to draw up a resolution to bring before the county board at its Jan. 23 meeting. Koering and Commissioner Rosemary Franzen—the other commissioners present at the meeting—agreed to that request.