What a great place for a cache!
Just off Hwy 160, take the FS road and park by the gate. This area is still open to the public for foot traffic. Mark Twain National Forest still uses this fire tower at times. You can never know when they will show up, open the gate, drive in and climb the stairs. The state has more fire towers than we do, but we still have a few. Fortunately, this one is still here for all to see.
Fire towers where phased out in many places and replaced by aerial flight for spotting fires. Missouri has several and has lost many. Some of the state owned towers are open for climbing to the top. You can google or search for information on any fire tower. We think it's a good place for a cache.
Below is from https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/briar-fire-lookout-tower-briar-mo/
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Briar Lookout Tower
Description
This fire lookout tower outside Briar was a New Deal project completed in 1936. It is a typical design that is intact including stairway extending to the ground. Access is restricted by a surrounding high chain link fence topped with barbed wire for safety reasons. It is one of the southernmost lookout towers in Missouri.