Mont Alto in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
George H. Wirt
(1880-1961)
Pennsylvania’s first professionally trained forester and co-founder and first director of the State Forest Academy begun here in 1903. A protege of Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, Wirt advocated learning through theory and practice and set pioneering trends in forestry education. Architect of forest protection legislation enacted in 1915 and a successful wildfire protection plan. Wirt served as Chief Forest Fire Warden, 1915-1946.
Erected 2005 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 39° 50.41′ N, 77° 32.514′ W. Marker is in Mont Alto, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of Park Street (Pennsylvania Route 233) and Slabtown Road on Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mont Alto PA 17237, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Conklin Hall (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mont Alto (about 600 feet away); John Brown Raid (about 700 feet away); Ralph Elwood Brock (about 700 feet away); Pennsylvania State Forest Academy (about 700 feet away); Captain John E. Cook (about 700 feet away); Chestnut Spring (approx. half a mile away); Snow Hill Cloister (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mont Alto.
More about this marker. The marker is across from the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy, now the Penn State Mont Alto campus. It is on the 13 acre site of the former State Seedling Nursery. Founded in 1902 it provided the bulk of seedling trees for reforestation in Pennsylvania for many years. The students at the Forest Academy were required to work here as part of their scholarship. In his days as director of the Forest Academy Wirt was known as an exacting and stern, but fair, taskmaster by the students.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Appreciation of George H. Wirt. By Peter Linehan. Delivered at the dedication of the George Wirt historical marker at the forestry nursery site at Penn State Mont Alto. (Submitted on May 8, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
2. George Herman Wirt - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 19, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2007, by Peter Linehan of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,682 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on November 18, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on May 8, 2007, by Peter Linehan of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on August 31, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on May 8, 2007, by Peter Linehan of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.