Lambs Knoll Lookout Site

In 1934, an 80-foot-high tower with an air beacon on top was built. The tower was built by a CCC crew from the Washington Monument State Park near Boonsboro. First a 60-foot steel tower was re-located from Thayersville, Maryland, and transported to Lambs Knoll. An additional 20-feet was then constructed. Finally, an air beacon was placed on top of the tower in order that planes flying at night would not strike it. At the time, the tower was the second highest in Western Maryland with Quirauk Mountain near Pen-Mar being higher.

In 1939, the Coast and Geodetic Survey placed benchmarks on the summit and described the tower as a four legged steel structure with enclosed cab on the top and 110 feet high at the apex.

In 1942, the lookout person was Henry P. Turner.

In 2006, the original self-supporting lattice tower was removed and the location is now used as a modern communications complex. The original forestry tower was determined by MHT not to be historically significant. To minimize visibility from the Appalachian Trail, the fence is painted black and plastic slats have been inserted in the links of the fence.

This site overlooks national battlefields, the Potomic River, Middletown and Hagerstown valleys and is within meters of the Appalachian Trail. A short spur leads from the trail to the crest where the former fire tower stood. Just south of the peak the AT passes by White Rocks which provides the best views from the mountain. The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maintained Bear Springs Cabin is located on the eastern slope of the mountain. I visited the summit on my AT hike and there is nothing worth seeing other than to check the mountain off your bucket list.

Lambs Knoll was referred to as Lambs Old Field in the 19th century and is likely named for Milton and Mary Lamb who are believed to have farmed the mountains summit in the 1830s. The old nomenclature persisted through the civil war.