Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Historic Viduta / Hotel Monte Sano
Photographed By Tim Carr, May 24, 2008
1. Historic Viduta / Hotel Monte Sano Marker Side A
Inscription.
Historic Viduta, also, Hotel Monte Sano. . (Front):
Historic Viduta "Viduta"-derived from Spanish "vida" meaning "life". In a time when yellow fever, malaria, and cholera threatened, Dr. Thomas Fearn and his brothers Robert and George were drawn by the cool air and medicinal springs to establish a small colony on the northern section of Monte Sano Mountain in 1827. In 1833 the town of Viduta was officially established. This area contains a variety of architectural styles dating from the late 1800's., (Back):
Hotel Monte Sano "Monte Sano"-Spanish for "Mountain of Health". In 1887 the North Alabama Improvement Company, with the assistance of Michael and James O'Shaughnessy, built a 233-room hotel on Monte Sano Mountain. The hotel served as a health resort and haven for industrial giants including the Vanderbilts and Astors. Guests arrived via the Monte Sano Railway which ran up the mountain. The hotel ceased operations in 1900 and was later purchased by the Garth family for their summer residence. It was demolished for salvage in 1944. All that remains of the hotel is the brick chimney on Old Chimney Road.
(Front):
Historic Viduta
"Viduta"-derived from Spanish "vida" meaning "life"
In a time when yellow fever, malaria, and cholera threatened, Dr. Thomas Fearn and his brothers Robert and George were drawn by the cool air and medicinal springs to establish a small colony on the northern section of Monte Sano Mountain in 1827. In 1833 the town of Viduta was officially established. This area contains a variety of architectural styles dating from the late 1800's.
(Back):
Hotel Monte Sano
"Monte Sano"-Spanish for "Mountain of Health"
In 1887 the North Alabama Improvement Company, with the assistance of Michael and James O'Shaughnessy, built a 233-room hotel on Monte Sano Mountain. The hotel served as a health resort and haven for industrial giants including the Vanderbilts and Astors. Guests arrived via the Monte Sano Railway which ran up the mountain. The hotel ceased operations in 1900 and was later purchased by the Garth family for their summer residence. It was demolished for salvage in 1944. All that remains of the hotel is the brick chimney on Old Chimney Road.
Erected 1997 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
Location. 34° 44.616′ N, 86° 31.909′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Monte Sano Boulevard Southeast and Old Chimney Road Southeast, on the left when traveling north on Monte Sano Boulevard Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntsville AL 35801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Historic Viduta / Hotel Monte Sano Marker Side B
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,420 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
