National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Mont Alto State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
History of the Area
Adjacent to the park was the site of the Mont Alto Iron Furnace. Daniel and Samuel Hughes built the furnace in 1807. Originally, it was 31 feet high, 8 feet wide at the boshes and produced 2-3 tons of iron a day.
George Weistling purchased the furnace and associated holdings in 1864. Weistling started the Mont Alto Iron Company, which was responsible for many changes in the area. The Mont Alto Railroad was also completed and connected with the Cumberland County Railroad, 3.5 miles northeast of Chambersburg. Railroad trains brought visitors to the attractive mountain setting. In 1875, the ?Magnificent Summer Resort,? Mont Alto Park, was opened and soon became a very popular recreational area. The area was acquired by the Commonwealth on May 1, 1902 and
became the first ?state forest park.?