New member from Oregon

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

I believe that is part of an observation tower.Just my opinion !!!

[Larry nelson]

Thanks to all for the information

[Ron Stauffer]

Some questions, some observations, some suppositions but nothing definitive.

Questions:
Is Carnegie Steel on the top struts only? Please take a pic and post please
Does your angle look like it is painted versus hot dip galvanized?
Size of corner angle?
Does that ladder look original or not? Pic of how attached.
Where did you get it from? Location? History?

Observations:
I have only seen about 5 of those Aermotor ID tags in 25 years.
Someone posted one they had bought 4 months ago. It had the Aer tag, totally disassembled, corner angle 3.5x1/4, and similar.
viewtopic.php?hilit=tank%20tower&p=2235 ... d713af4431

Someone has had yours apart as those top channels aren't assembled correctly.
It is NOT a fire lookout tower, utility tower, Bilby tower, or Aer suburban tower.

Suppositions:
It is built heavy as for a tank but not heavy enough for railroad use as they were 50 or 100K gallon tanks.
Ladder if original was only for occasional use.
If it is hand painted and from Carnegie Steel, it is prior to 1901.

Ron Stauffer
Montrose CO

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Actually Aermoters first galvanized tower was 1892 !!

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Just another thought ! Aermoter also made high tension electric transmission towers.Never seen one but new of a guy that had one.

[Larry nelson]

I took some more pictures of the tower, it is hot dipped galvanized and I don’t see any evidence of it being modified or put together wrong, it looks like it is original to me.

[windybob]

I've never seen an Aermotor tower with a ladder like that. I hope Ron has some info, as I find that very interesting.

Oh by the way, I was born in Salem, at Salem General Hospital. Still have family in Salem I need to come see again. Some of the most beautiful country anywhere.

[Ron Stauffer]

Here you go

tank tower.jpg

tank tower 2.jpg

Carnegie Steel was forerunner of US Steel with the name change happening in 1901.

Now for the ladder. I don't think it is Aermotor but there is one way to have a good idea. The U bolt bracket that attaches the ladder to the tower - see if those are standard NC threads or old English 32nd thread. To me they look standard NC


Ron Stauffer
Montrose CO

[mtblah]

Yup , I agree