As part of its expanded fire protection efforts, the state took over the privately funded lookouts in 1909, making them part of the Maine Fire District.
The state also began construction of additional lookouts and hire additional watchmen, paid for by the tax on landowners.
At left is the Bald Mountain fire lookout in Washington County, a 55-foot enclosed wood tower that was built in 1918.
It was replaced with a 70-foot steel tower in 1934 and abandoned as a lookout in 1970.
