Wigwam Hill is highest point in the Town Forest. The name “Wigwam” for this hill, and the nearby brook was so called because Caleb the Indian the last genuine Indian (a/k/a Native American), to whom the town paid bounties for killing wolves, had his wigwam there.
“Frank M. Aldrich, Fire Warden of Mendon, received word in August of 1915 that the State was to begin, at once, the erection of a fire tower on Wigwam Hill in Mendon. The tower would be similar to the one on Fay Mountain in Westboro. The tower was 50 feet high and was opened for the first time in May 1916 when a watchman was installed. It served the State and protected the area for 38 years in what was to become the Town Forest in 1944.” Milford Daily Journal, August 20, 1915 and May13, 1916
“In 1954 a new 70 foot high fire tower was built. The new tower rose 20 feet above the old one which stood nearby and was later torn down. A public dedication of the newly completed fire tower was held on August 20, 1954 at 10:30 am. In charge of the formal dedication was Howard Hurlihy, the State District Fire Warden.” Milford Daily News, August 20, 1954.
The current & former firetowers in 1954. The older tower is in the process of being taken down