In honor of Women’s History Month, Grafton Lakes State Park commemorated the service of Fire Tower Observer, Helen Ellett. Helen served as the second female fire tower observer in the state, beginning her service amid WWII, in 1943. She served for 18 years, riding her horse nine miles to work and sometimes working up to 12 hours a day. She reported fires such as the Grafton fire of September 12, 1943 that burned two houses and led to the creation of the Grafton Fire Department and the Berlin explosion of 1962 when a propane tanker overturned resulting in 11 lives lost and 13 buildings burned.
Ellett’s granddaughter, Linda Laveway, visited the park recently to speak about her grandmother, her many days spent alone in the tower, and to tell stories of her staunch independence. Linda brought in a replica of her uniform and a jeweled purse, noting that Helen could bounce back and forth from adventure seeker to refined lady.
In the afternoon, patrons hiked up to the fire tower stepping back into Helen’s shoes. The location of the Dickinson Fire Tower was chosen for its panoramic views of the Rensselaer Plateau. With the sun shining, the views stretch from the Catskills in the southwest to the Adirondacks in the northwest to the Green Mountains of Vermont and over to the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
To watch the full interview on Facebook, clear here.
Want to know more about events coming up at the park? Check out our Park website or Facebook.
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