Jericho Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jericho Mountain |
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| Black Mountain | |
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Jericho Mountain as seen from Sugar Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,454 feet (748 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Coös County, New Hampshire, United States |
Jericho Mountain, also known locally as Black Mountain, is a mountain in Coös County, New Hampshire, in the United States. It stands about 2,454 feet (748 meters) tall. This mountain has a rich history and is known for its changing names and modern wind turbines.
About Jericho Mountain
Jericho Mountain is surrounded by other interesting peaks. To its northeast, you'll find Mount Forist. To the southwest, it's next to Sugar Mountain and the Crescent Range.
This mountain is located within the city of Berlin. The main part of Berlin is only about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east. From Berlin, you can get many great views of Jericho Mountain.
A Mountain of Many Names
The Abenaki people, who are Native Americans, originally called this mountain Miccasadenauk. This name means "mountain with a black summit." This is how it first got its English name, "Black Mountain."
The mountain's dark color likely came from many forest fires over the years. These fires would destroy trees, leaving the rocky top blackened by ash. The last major fire happened in 1903.
In 1935, the United States Forest Service wanted to change the mountain's name. There were six other "Black Mountains" in the White Mountain National Forest. To avoid confusion, they asked the United States Board on Geographic Names to pick a new name.
The suggested name was "Jericho Mountain." This name came from Jericho Brook, a stream located near the base of the mountain. The new name was officially approved on April 25, 1936. However, many local people still call it "Black Mountain" today.
Wind Power on the Mountain
In 2006, Jericho Mountain became an important site for green energy. It was chosen for the first wind farm in New Hampshire. A company called Loranger Power Generation built three wind turbines near the mountain's top. These turbines were about 160 feet (49 meters) tall.
Unfortunately, these first turbines were damaged and later taken out of service. The 135-acre (55-hectare) site was then sold to a new company, Jericho Mountain Wind Company.
Later, in 2014, another company called Jericho Power, LLC, leased the land. They put up five new wind turbines. These newer turbines are much taller, reaching about 500 feet (152 meters) high. They help produce clean energy for the area.
