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Mont Alto, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
Borough
Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
Location of Mont Alto in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
Location of Mont Alto in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
Mont Alto, Pennsylvania is located in Pennsylvania
Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Mont Alto, Pennsylvania is located in the United States
Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
Mont Alto, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Franklin
Settled 1762
Incorporated 1915
Government
 • Type Borough Council
Area
 • Total 0.56 sq mi (1.46 km2)
 • Land 0.56 sq mi (1.46 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
876 ft (267 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,580
 • Density 2,806.39/sq mi (1,084.24/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
17237
Area code(s) 717
FIPS code 42-50544
GNIS feature ID 1215246

Mont Alto is a small town, also called a borough, located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,580 people lived here. It's a quiet place with a rich past and beautiful natural surroundings.

Discover Mont Alto's History

Mont Alto has an interesting story that goes back many years. It started as a small settlement and grew into the town we know today.

Early Beginnings of Funkstown

The very first house in this area was built in 1817 by a man named John Funk. His house was on what is now Main Street. Because of him, the town was first known as "Funkstown."

Becoming Mont Alto

Later, a nearby town called Altodale joined with the surrounding area, which was known as Mont Alto. Together, they formed the single town of Mont Alto. In 1915, Mont Alto officially became a borough. At that time, about 800 people lived there.

A Place for Healing

In the early 1900s, Mont Alto was home to a very large sanatorium. This was a special hospital where people went to get better from a serious lung sickness called tuberculosis. It was an important place for health and recovery in the region.

Exploring Mont Alto's Geography

Mont Alto is nestled in a scenic part of southeastern Franklin County. It's surrounded by nature and has important roads connecting it to other towns.

Location and Natural Features

The town sits right at the western base of South Mountain. This means it's at the bottom of a large hill or small mountain range. The West Branch of Antietam Creek also starts near Mont Alto. Just a mile east of the borough, you can find Mont Alto State Park, which is a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

Main Roads and Connections

Pennsylvania Route 997 runs right through the middle of Mont Alto, acting as its Main Street. This road goes north about 5 miles to U.S. Route 30 near Fayetteville. If you head south on Route 997, you'll reach Waynesboro about 7 miles away.

Another important road, Pennsylvania Route 233, leaves Mont Alto as Park Street. It heads northeast about 9 miles to U.S. Route 30 at Caledonia State Park. The borough itself covers an area of about 1.47 square kilometers (0.57 square miles), and it's all land.

Mont Alto's Population Over Time

The number of people living in Mont Alto has changed quite a bit over the years. Here's a look at how the population has grown and shifted:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 658
1920 589
1930 606 2.9%
1940 661 9.1%
1950 984 48.9%
1960 1,039 5.6%
1970 1,532 47.4%
1980 1,592 3.9%
1990 1,395 −12.4%
2000 1,357 −2.7%
2010 1,705 25.6%
2020 1,580 −7.3%
Sources:

In 2000, there were 1,357 people living in Mont Alto. The average age of people in the borough was 36 years old. This means about half the people were younger than 36, and half were older.

Education in Mont Alto

Mont Alto is home to a campus of a well-known university.

Penn State Mont Alto Campus

Penn State Mont Alto is located where Slabtown Road and Campus Drive meet. Route 233 also passes by the university campus. It offers many educational programs for students.

Fun Places to Visit in Mont Alto

There are several interesting spots to check out in and around Mont Alto.

  • Mont Alto Arboretum: This is a special garden with many different kinds of trees and plants. It's located on the campus of Penn State Mont Alto.
  • Mont Alto State Park: A beautiful park where you can enjoy nature, hike, and explore the outdoors.
  • Mont Alto Railroad: This historic railroad played a role in the area's past.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mont Alto para niños

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