The Georgia Fire Tower That’s Been Holding a 90-Year Love Story in Stone

Exploring the hiking trails is always a priority whenever I’m traveling. It’s odd because I’m not much of a hiker when I’m home, but if you put me in a new location, I become extremely outdoorsy. Now, I know my limits, and I never do any hikes with crazy mileage or anything too technical, but I will push myself outside of my comfort zone. When I found myself in Fort Mountain State Park, I knew there was one trail I wanted to check out, and it ended up surprising me in more ways than one. 

Sitting pretty at the southwestern end of the Cohutta Mountains near the Cohutta Wilderness, Fort Mountain State Park has some of the best hiking trails in Georgia. The 4,058-acre state park sits 2,850 feet above sea level and boasts over 25 miles of hiking trails and 27 miles of biking trails to enjoy. It’s perhaps most famous for its mysterious rock wall, which will leave you with more questions than answers.

I prefer loop trails to avoid repetition. Combining the Stone Wall, Stone Tower, and West Overlook Trails made a 1.5-mile loop that was perfect. I’m a sucker for mountain views, and this route does not disappoint!

The park may have opened to the public in 1936, but the history of Fort Mountain State Park goes back much further. This region was home to the Cherokee Indians for hundreds of years, and there are a few informational signs along the trail explaining some of the lore. 

I was after the views from the West Overlook Trail, and they did not disappoint. This would be a great sunset hike! But what surprised me the most about this trail was the fire tower. After the Big Blowup fire in the Pacific Northwest destroyed three million acres in 1910, fire towers began popping up in wilderness areas all across the country. 

The Civilian Conservation Corps built this one around 1934-1935, and a local stone mason, Arnold Bailey, led the project. Bailey carved a large heart into the stone tower to impress Margaret, a lady he fancied. They were married in 1935 and stayed together for 59 years until Arnold’s death in 1994 (he was 80 years old). To make this story even sweeter, he carved the heart into the stone on Valentine’s Day! This is the definition of if he wanted to, he would.

The fire tower was restored in 2015, and of course, they kept Mr. Bailey’s etched heart. Prior to his death, the couple and their kids would visit the fire tower often. 

It’s a very heartwarming story that I was surprised to learn! I came for the views and left with a nice reminder of relationships and telling those close to you that you love them. 

I suggest spending a few days here to really explore the park. Fort Mountain State Park offers several ways to stay, including cottages, primitive campsites, and RV campsites. Reservations can be made on the Georgia State Parks website.