Nehasane Fire Observer: An Adirondack Woman's Summer of '42

by Frances Boone Seaman

Nehasane Fire Observer is a first-hand account of what it was really like to be a fire observer in the Adirondacks of New York State. In 1942, the superintendent of Nehasane Park, the vast preserve west of Long Lake, New York owned by the wealthy Webb family, asked twenty-three-year-old Frances Boone to be the observer in the Park's fire tower. This is the story of that summer in the wilderness--a young woman finding her way in life alone in a fire tower, thinking of her boyfriend at war, immersed in her beloved outdoors, and coping with the ever present danger of living alone in the woods. This memoir, simply written and full of dialogue, brings one back to a time in the Adirondacks when people used railroads to travel and wealthy businessmen owned vast private preserves for the enjoyment of their family and friends. Through conversations with the author's co-workers, readers get a feel for the straightforward, congenial personality of the native Adirondacker. As Frances Seaman remembers her experiences in the woods, the reader sees what it was really like to live in the Adirondack wilderness sixty years ago.

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 2002

Reviews

[Farrah (bookstalgic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, insightful and reflective story about a 23 yr old woman’s experience working as a fire observer in a remote park in the Adirondack Mountains. Knowing this region fairly well, I really enjoyed hearing about the different places she visited and I felt her love of nature and the quietness of the wilderness around her really shine through. I could sense that this was one of the most memorable summers of her life and I really enjoyed it, especially since I knew the author personally. :) I would’ve loved to have that job when I was young!

[Cheryl Blask · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, engaging read! What an experience she had!

[Caryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy-to-read account of one woman's war-time summer in the Adirondacks, doing a "man's job," living in the wilderness and taking in the splendor of the mountains.