Monte Sano Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monte Sano Mountain |
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 Monte Sano Mountain
Location in Alabama
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,621 ft (494 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Huntsville, Alabama., U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Huntsville |
Monte Sano Mountain is a mountain located in Huntsville, Alabama. Its name, Monte Sano, comes from Spanish and means "Mountain of Health". Long ago, people believed the fresh air, clean water, and cooler temperatures on the mountain could help them feel better. Because of this, health resorts were built there.
The top of Monte Sano is quite flat. It sits almost 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) above sea level. This is about 300 meters (around 980 feet) higher than the Tennessee Valley below. Part of the mountain top has homes, while the eastern side and slopes are home to Monte Sano State Park. Monte Sano is connected to Round Top (Burritt) Mountain by a lower ridge to the south.
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Exploring Monte Sano's Western Side
The western side of Monte Sano Mountain is very close to downtown Huntsville. This area is part of the Monte Sano Nature Preserve. The Land Trust of North Alabama owns and manages this preserve. This group started in 1987. It works to protect land, fresh water, local farms, and animal homes in Alabama.
A Huge Urban Nature Preserve
The Monte Sano Nature Preserve is one of the biggest urban nature preserves in the United States. It is also one of six preserves managed by the Land Trust in the area. This preserve covers over 1,107 acres. It has more than 23 miles of trails for people to explore. These trails, along with others nearby, are special. They were the first in Madison County to be named National Recreation Trails.
Trails and History on the Mountain
Volunteers work with the Land Trust to build and care for these trails. Some popular trails include Three Caves Loop, Bluff Line, and Toll Gate. One interesting trail is the Old Railroad Bed Trail. This trail follows the path of an old steam train. The train ran from the Huntsville Depot to the Hotel Monte Sano from 1888 to 1896. This trail is now part of the "Rails to Trails" program, which turns old railway lines into walking paths.
The Famous Hotel Monte Sano and Its Railway
In the late 1800s, many people got sick from diseases like yellow fever. People thought that the clean water and fresh air on Monte Sano Mountain could help them get better. So, many visitors came to the mountain to improve their health.
A Grand Hotel on the Mountain
In 1886, the Hotel Monte Sano was built. It was a large, three-story wooden building with 223 rooms. It was designed in the Queen Anne style. A week's stay, including meals, cost $11. Guests could enjoy many fun activities. These included horseback riding, bowling, croquet, and tennis. The hotel also had beautiful gardens.
Famous people visited the hotel, including William H. Vanderbilt and Jay Gould. Guests came from all over the United States and even from other countries.
The Monte Sano Railway
To make it easier for guests to reach the hotel, the Monte Sano Railway was built in 1888. The train ride was eight miles long and cost 25 cents. It took only 20 minutes, much faster than the four-hour carriage ride. The train made three trips a day.
However, the railway had problems. One time, the train's brakes failed, and it went off the tracks. No one was hurt, but it scared people. After that, the railway was mostly used to carry supplies. It went out of business in 1896.
The Hotel's End
Scientists eventually learned what caused diseases like yellow fever and how to cure them. This meant people no longer needed to go to the "Mountain of Health" for treatment. With fewer guests and transportation problems, the hotel closed for good in 1900.
Monte Sano's Geology: How the Mountain Formed
Monte Sano is a type of mountain called a mesa. A mesa is a flat-topped mountain with steep sides. It is separated from the main Cumberland Plateau by the Flint River Valley.
The top of Monte Sano is made of strong sandstone rock. This rock is from a time called the Pennsylvanian period. Below this hard layer are softer layers of limestone from the Mississippian period. This limestone is full of old sea fossils. You can find fossils of ancient sea creatures like crinoids and blastoids there.
