Built in 1962-63 as a fire lookout, Ojibway Tower's role changed from smoke detection to sampling air for internationally transported pollutants. Isle Royale's remote location with theoretically clean air offered a prime air-sampling site. Beginning in 1987, the National Park service mounted air monitoring devices in and on Ojibway Tower.
Information gained here helps determine impacts on park resources from harmful pollutants.
Ojibway Tower in winter. Isle Royale's remote location and severe winter makes it one of the nation's toughest monitoring sites to access. The U.S. Coast Guard transports National Park Service research teams via helicopter. Some of Ojibway Tower's air-monitoring instruments. You may see these or others today.