Even though police are cracking down on Thacker Fire Tower trespassers, students at
The University of Mississippi continue to explore the property. DM Photo | Cady Herring
The Thacker Fire Tower has become a popular place for visitors over the past few years. Formerly railroad tracks, the Thacker Mountain trails are now biking and walking trails that are commonly used by runners and bikers in Oxford. The bike trail ends, however, at the gate leading up to the Thacker Fire Tower, along with university property. Beyond that point is private property with visible “no trespassing” signs located on posts along a road leading up to the tower.
The tower was formerly used by the forestry service to search for forest fires, and many are located all over the state in the highest point in each county. Therefore, the view from the tower is vast, overlooking all of Lafayette County.
With the help of locals and the property owners, police are beginning to crack down on the trespassing at the tower. No one is permitted beyond the bike trails including inside the fence that surrounds the tower. The consequences are stricter now than they have been in the past.
Lafayette County Sheriff Deputy Scott Mills is trying to resolve this problem before it is too late for students.
DM Photo | Cady Herring
“They are going to be arrested, and they are going to be booked in, fingerprinted, photographed,” Mills said. “They’ll have to bond out, and they will have a record of arrest for trespassing.”
According to Mills, the property owner has already decided to sign several affidavits against those who have been found trespassing on the property.
So far four people have been arrested for trespassing on the tower, all of whom were college students.
Several students have admitted to climbing the tower with knowledge that it was illegal after seeing the trespassing signs.
The land is currently leased to a hunting club, who often call the owners when the trespassers are sighted. When the property owners hear of people being on this part of their property, they call the authorities, who respond to each call immediately.
“I have always wanted to go, but I did not know it was illegal,” said junior accounting major Katie Knight. “I definitely wouldn’t go now that I know. It’s not worth it to me.”
DM Photo | Cady Herring
