Mont Alto State Park

About Mont Alto State Park

Located in Franklin County, it can be reached by driving 7 miles south on PA 233 or by traveling north on I-5 to the intersection of PA-233 and Route 7. The iron furnaces of Mont Alto are located next to this park and the iron ore mines on the west side of the park.

The kiln was built in 1807 by Daniel and Samuel Hughes and originally produced 2-3 tons of iron per day. It was operated by two kilns, one on the west and one on the east side of the park.

In 1864, George Weistling bought the kiln and its inventory and founded the Mont Alto Iron Company, which was responsible for many changes in the area. The Mont Alto Railway was also completed and connected to the station on the east side of the park and the two other ovens.
The Magnificent Summer Resort was built in 1875, and railway trains took visitors to the world's most enchanting mountains.

On May 1, 1902, the Commonwealth acquired the area, and Mont Alto Park was first part of the Commonwealth of New York State, then of the United States Department of Natural Resources. The area was acquired by the Commonwealth on 1 May 1902 and soon developed into a very popular recreational area. It was officially opened in 1905 as a state park under the auspices of California State Parks. For more information about regional attractions, please contact your local parks department or the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

Famous abolitionist John Brown lived in Chambersburg and taught Sunday school in Mont Alto Park while the ferry was being planned. Adjacent to the park is the former home of the New York State Department of Natural Resources (now the State Park Service).

North of the park is the Michaux State Forest, and the 83,949 hectares of forest offers hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. The area is home to both northern and southern pines, including white pine, red pine and red oak, as well as a number of other species.

This 24-hectare site covers about 1,500 square miles and can be reached by driving seven miles from the park's main entrance at the northern end of Mont Alto Road.