Mont Alto State Park

{{short description|State park in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Mont Alto State Park | image = MASP carousel pavilion 2.JPG | image_caption = | image_alt = Pavilion | image_size = 280 | location = [[Franklin County, Pennsylvania]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|39.83897|-77.53735|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = <ref name="masp"/> | area = {{convert|24|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name="masp"/> | elevation = {{convert|1086|ft}} | established = 1902 | administrator = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] | free_label = | free_data = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | website = {{Official website}} | module = {{Infobox protected area | map = USA Pennsylvania#USA | label = Mont Alto State Park | label_position = top | map_caption = Location in Pennsylvania | relief = 1 | module = [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania State Parks]] }} }} '''Mont Alto State Park''' is a [[List of Pennsylvania state parks|Pennsylvania state park]] on {{convert|24|acre}} in [[Quincy Township, Pennsylvania|Quincy Township]], [[Franklin County, Pennsylvania|Franklin County]], [[Pennsylvania]] in the United States. The park is on [[Pennsylvania Route 233]] one mile from [[Mont Alto, Pennsylvania|Mont Alto]].

==History== ===Mont Alto Iron Company=== Mont Alto State Park is the oldest state park in Pennsylvania. Its history began with the former Mont Alto Iron Furnace, a [[blast furnace]] built in 1807. It was {{convert|31|ft}} high and {{convert|8|ft}} wide at the boshes. The furnace produced between {{convert|2|and|3|ST}} of [[iron]] a day. The area was a center of iron production for many years. The [[Mont Alto Railroad]] was built by the Mont Alto Iron Company to connect the furnaces of the area to the [[Cumberland Valley Railroad]] near [[Chambersburg, Pennsylvania|Chambersburg]]. This railroad served a dual purpose, carrying iron shipments from the furnace and bringing visitors to Mont Alto Park. The park was opened by the Mont Alto Iron Company. Ownership of Mont Alto Park was transferred to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on May 1, 1902.<ref name="masp">{{cite web |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/mont-alto-state-park |title=Mont Alto State Park |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |access-date=2026-01-10}}</ref><ref name="early">{{cite web | url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/history/historyearlyyears.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040205111648/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/history/historyearlyyears.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 5, 2004 | title = Early Years of PA State Parks | access-date = 2006-11-03 | publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] }}</ref>

===The First State Park=== Mont Alto Park became the first "state forest park" in Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/scavengeradvanced/scavad4montalto.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040220034931/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/scavengeradvanced/scavad4montalto.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 20, 2004 | title = Oldest State Park | access-date = 2006-11-03 | publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]] }}</ref> The park had a [[swimming pool]], refreshment stand, [[hiking]] trails and a [[carousel]]. It was also the site of South Mountain Camp Sanitorium. This [[sanitorium]] was founded by Dr. [[Joseph Rothrock]], a [[medical doctor]] and [[forester]] who opened several sanitoriums in the forests of Pennsylvania and became known as the father of forestry in Pennsylvania. The sanitorium treated those afflicted with [[tuberculosis]] and other respiratory illnesses. Over the years the park has gradually become less and less of a destination for visitors. It is now a quiet park with minimal facilities. The building that housed the carousel, which now serves as a picnic [[pavilion]], is a reminder of the past.<ref name="masp"/><ref name="early"/>

==Recreation== The West Branch Antietam Creek flows through Mont Alto State Park and provides visitors to the park to fish for [[trout]]. Logging and forest management roads provide access to hiking opportunities in the nearby [[Michaux State Forest]]. There are two picnic areas with approximately 50 tables and two pavilions, one being the former carousel house. The park also provides parking and restroom facilities for hunters and other outdoorsman that venture into Michaux State Forest.<ref name="masp"/>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|Mont Alto State Park}} {{portal|Pennsylvania}} *[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/mont-alto-state-park Mont Alto State Park] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources *[http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1737461&DocName=MOAL_ParkMap.pdf Mont Alto State Park Map] Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

[[Category:State parks of Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Parks in Franklin County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas of Franklin County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Protected areas established in 1902]] [[Category:1902 establishments in Pennsylvania]]