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West Island’s WW II Lookout Tower May Have Had a Secret Gun Emplacement

MLBaron westislandweather.com

WEST ISLAND:

Although gun emplacements were a standard part of the design type and layout of US Army observation towers like the one at West Island, no confirmation of a gun battery has been found.

However, evidence suggests that on the northeast corner of the island, that an existing man-made 6x6 ft concrete foundation “deep in the woods out of no-where” very well could have been part of a gun emplacement.

It’s strategic location close to shore in thick brush and trees would certainly have been made for an ideal spot. The lack of any reference to this location from a military stand point during the war probably would have been classified.

This also could explain the origin of the trail-path carved out of the brush headed towards the site from Fir St. Keep in mind the island wasn’t developed until the late 40's and early 50's. but a trail is clearly visible in a 1946 aerial photograph (below) taken just after the war. (A) on the left marks possible gun emplacement. (B) on the right marks dump site cavity.

This path would later be referred to as the “dump road” for the “new” island inhabitants who needed a place to discard their trash, including broke down household appliances, tires etc. As the population increased, so did the trash. At one point a small bulldozer was used to pack in the refuse into what became a deepening cavity of about a 100 foot circumference down the bend in the trail on the right side.

The bulldozer was stored in a garage next to the oldest house on the island at 38 Causeway Rd on the corner of Fir St. The town began trash pick-up to the island in the late 60's, but some dumping continued into the late 70's. The cavity of this site is visible by satellite to this day.

Satellite photo taken about 2006: (A) on the left marks possible gun emplacement. (B) on the right marks dump site cavity still visible.

For more information on the West Island Tower enter here.