Mont Alto State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mont Alto State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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The carousel pavilion at Mont Alto State Park
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 Mont Alto State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Quincy, Franklin, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 24 acres (9.7 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,086 ft (331 m) |
| Established | 1902 |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Mont Alto State Park |
Mont Alto State Park is a special place in Pennsylvania, United States. It's a state park that covers about 24 acres. You can find it in Quincy Township, Franklin County, near the town of Mont Alto. The park is located right off Pennsylvania Route 233.
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Park History: From Iron to Nature
Mont Alto State Park holds a special record: it's the oldest state park in Pennsylvania! Its story began a long time ago, with an old iron furnace.
The Mont Alto Iron Company
The park's history started with the Mont Alto Iron Furnace, a huge oven built in 1807. This furnace was 31 feet tall and 8 feet wide. It could make about 2 to 3 tons of iron every single day! This area was very important for making iron for many years.
The Mont Alto Iron Company built the Mont Alto Railroad. This train track connected the iron furnaces to another railroad near Chambersburg. The railroad did two important jobs: it carried iron from the furnace, and it also brought visitors to Mont Alto Park. The Mont Alto Iron Company first opened the park. Then, on May 1, 1902, the park became owned by the state of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania's First State Park
When Pennsylvania took over, Mont Alto Park became the very first "state forest park." It was a popular spot with a swimming pool, a snack stand, hiking trails, and even a carousel.
The park was also home to the South Mountain Camp Sanitorium. This was a special place founded by Dr. Joseph Rothrock. He was a medical doctor and a forester who opened several sanatoriums in Pennsylvania's forests. He's known as the "father of forestry" in Pennsylvania. The sanatorium helped people who had breathing problems.
Over the years, fewer and fewer visitors came to the park. Today, it's a quiet place with fewer buildings. The building that once held the carousel is now a pavilion for picnics. It's a cool reminder of the park's busy past!
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Mont Alto State Park is a great place to enjoy nature.
Fishing and Hiking
The West Branch Antietam Creek flows right through Mont Alto State Park. If you like to fish, you can try to catch trout here!
You can also go hiking on the logging and forest management roads. These roads lead into the nearby Michaux State Forest, offering even more places to explore.
Picnics and Facilities
The park has two picnic areas with about 50 tables. There are also two picnic pavilions, including the old carousel house. The park also provides parking and restrooms. These facilities are helpful for hunters and other outdoor lovers who visit Michaux State Forest.
Other State Parks Nearby
Here are some other state parks you can find within 30 miles of Mont Alto State Park:
- Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area (Perry County)
- Buchanan's Birthplace State Park (Franklin County)
- Caledonia State Park (Adams and Franklin Counties)
- Colonel Denning State Park (Cumberland County)
- Cowans Gap State Park (Fulton County)
- Cunningham Falls State Park (Maryland)
- Fowlers Hollow State Park (Perry County)
- Gambrill State Park (Maryland)
- Gathland State Park (Maryland)
- Greenbrier State Park (Maryland)
- Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center (Cumberland County)
- Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Cumberland County)
- South Mountain State Park (Maryland)
- Washington Monument State Park (Maryland)
