Mount Jefferson (Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Jefferson |
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 Mount Jefferson
Location in Virginia
Mount Jefferson
Location in the United States
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 846 ft (258 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Albemarle County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Parent range | Ragged Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Charlottesville West |
Mount Jefferson is a mountain located near Charlottesville, Virginia, in the United States. It is found in Albemarle County, Virginia. This mountain sits at the edge of the Ragged Mountains range.
Why the Name?
Mount Jefferson was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. He was a very important person in American history. He was one of the Founding Fathers and the third President of the United States. The mountain got its name in 1885. This was after the McCormick Observatory was built on its top.
Thomas Jefferson had wanted the University of Virginia to buy this mountain. He thought it was a great spot for an observatory. He also liked it because it had good water sources. Plus, there was plenty of timber (wood) for building the university.
Before it was named Mount Jefferson, it had other names. People called it Old Reservoir Mountain. It was also known as Observatory Mountain. This was because Jefferson had an observatory built there. Today, some people still call it Observatory Hill.
What's on the Mountain?
Mount Jefferson has roads like McCormick Road and Edgemont Road. Several buildings belonging to the University of Virginia are on the mountain. These include a research facility that used to have a small nuclear reactor. There is also a linear accelerator, which is a machine that speeds up tiny particles. Some student dorms (places where students live) are also located here.
The mountain is mostly covered in trees. This helps protect the McCormick Observatory from light pollution. Light pollution happens when too much artificial light makes it hard to see stars.
Mount Jefferson is a popular place for outdoor activities. People enjoy birdwatching and mountain biking here. It's also a good spot for hiking. Students and staff from The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School use it for fitness training. The main office for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory is also on Mount Jefferson. This observatory studies space using radio waves.
