Utsayantha Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Utsayantha Mountain |
|
|---|---|
Utsayantha Mountain Observation Station
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,209 feet (978 m) |
| Prominence | 534 ft (163 m) |
| Listing | Catskill Top 102 #62 |
| Geography | |
 Utsayantha Mountain
Location in New York
Utsayantha Mountain
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Stamford, New York, U.S. |
| Parent range | Catskill Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Stamford |
Utsayantha Mountain is a cool mountain located in the Catskill Mountains of New York. It's found east-southeast of Stamford, a town in New York. This mountain is quite tall, reaching about 3,209 feet high! You might also hear it called by slightly different names like Utsayanthe or Utsyantha Mountain. Other mountains nearby include McGregor Mountain to the southeast and Churchill Mountain to the southwest.
Contents
The Mountain's Name: A Story from the Past
Utsayantha Mountain gets its name from a special person. It is named after Utsayantha, who was the daughter of Chief Ubiwacha. Chief Ubiwacha was the leader of the Lenape Native American people.
The Legend of Utsayantha
The story says that Utsayantha sadly drowned in the nearby Utsayantha Lake. This happened after she saw her own son drown in the same lake. In 1862, a grave was found on the mountain. Many people believed this grave belonged to Utsayantha herself. However, we still don't know for sure who was buried there.
Exploring the Utsayantha Fire Tower
Utsayantha Mountain is home to an interesting fire tower. This tower helps people spot forest fires from high up. It's a great place to visit and see amazing views!
How the Fire Tower Came to Be
Back in 1889, a well-known person from the village of Stamford bought 20 acres of land on top of Utsayantha Mountain. After buying the land, he built a four-story observation house there. He then gave the property to the town. It became a public park for everyone to enjoy.
The Tower's Construction and Use
Later, in 1934, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation built a new tower. This tower is 60 feet tall and was made by the Aermotor Corporation. Today, the tower is still taken care of. Visitors can still go up the tower and enjoy the incredible views from the top of Utsayantha Mountain.
