High Knob Tower Rebuilding Project To Get Federal Boost

When the legendary, historic High Knob Observation Tower in Wise County was destroyed by arson, Rita McReynolds said, one thought was shared by countless people across the area: “We have to build it back.”

“That was the one single thing in everyone’s mind,” said McReynolds, finance chairperson for the High Knob Enhancement Corp. “And, ever since, we’ve never lost momentum toward that goal.”

The drive to rebuild the iconic tower, which, on clear days offered stunning views of five states, received a huge boost Friday when U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, announced that the effort is receiving a $280,000 federal Transportation Enhancement grant.

“When the tower is rebuilt it will be better than ever,” Boucher said.

The federal funding brings the total raised to more than two-thirds of the estimated $600,000 needed to rebuild the tower, Boucher said. He also said that while he’s seeking more federal money, local folks who haven’t yet made donations to the effort should do so.

“The tower, before it was burned, was experiencing annual visitation by more than 5,000 people per year, and it has a history closely connected with Wise and Scott counties,” Boucher said. “Over the years, people would go to the tower for marriage proposals, they would go to the tower on dates, and people would go to the tower just to establish a sense of calm. … It’s one of the most gorgeous views anywhere in the region, and people were deeply affected in Wise and Scott counties when the tower burned.”

The grant was awarded to the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission to assist with the tower reconstruction, Boucher said. The U.S. Forest Service will own and operate the new Observation Tower.

The Forest Service is reviewing proposals for design work. Once that and the additional fundraising are complete, construction can begin in 2010.

Boucher said Friday that the new tower will offer the same unparalleled, 100-mile-radius view offered by the original structure. The new tower also will be built of durable, fire-resistant materials.

The announcement, made Friday at the Coeburn Town Council Chambers, was an especially proud and fulfilling moment for McReynolds, who has helped lead the community effort to raise the thousands needed for High Knob to stand again.

So far, their efforts have raised $120,000 in donations from individuals, companies and city governments across southwest Virginia – from $1 gifts by individual residents to a $50,000 donation by Cumberland Resources, an Abingdon-based coal company.

“It’s been a thrilling thing to be a part of,” McReynolds said Thursday. “There’s been such a wonderful outpouring of support. There’s been so many people who really felt we could do it, and acted on that belief.”

High Knob was destroyed on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2007, in a fire that was quickly determined to be arson. Eventually, Coeburn residents Nicholas Owens and Christopher Hyatt pleaded guilty to the arson. Owens was sentenced to five years in prison and five years probation. Hyatt received a 37-month jail term and three years on probation.

Both men were also required to pay $523,851 in restitution for the fire.

Staff reporter Debra McCown contributed to this report.

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