Bob Frakes has written a book called, "Remembering Missouri’s Lookout Towers – A Place Above the Trees." It is available at https://wordsmatterpublishing.com, under "Titles."


Click on a tower marker to see more information, including historical facts, photos, PID markers, and coordinates.

Color Key:

GREEN - Tower is standing and to the best of our knowledge, climbing is permitted. Please respect the tower site.

YELLOW - Tower is standing but climbing is not permitted, either by physical barrier or signage.

RED: Tower existed but has since been removed. Often, evidence such as tower footings remain. The binoculars icon represents a crows nest or pole lookout.

PURPLE: "Mystery" tower, the presence of which is indicated by certain historical records or maps but has not been verified.

GRAY: Never built - a tower that had been planned but never constructed.

Thanks to Jim Lyon who provided the original list and inspiration, laying the groundwork for this site and the tower enthusiasts who enjoy the hobby thanks to him, and to Bob Frakes who cataloged almost all of the historic, never-built, and "mystery" towers on this site and who maintains much of the tower list shown here.

Feel free to contact us at

backprop at yahoo dot com
-and-
frakes2 at mvn dot net

with any questions.

Thanks for looking!