Mont Alto in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ralph Elwood Brock
(1883–1959)
The first African American graduate of the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy here at Mont Alto and a member of the original class of 1906. A student & associate of Dr. J.T. Rothrock, Brock was Mont Alto State Forest Nursery superintendent until 1911 and then a successful consulting forester for public and private gardens and landscapes in New York City and Philadelphia.
Erected 2003 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Environment. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 39° 50.41′ N, 77° 32.654′ W. Marker is in Mont Alto, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of Park Street (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. John Brown Raid (here, next to this marker); Pennsylvania State Forest Academy (here, next to this marker); Captain John E. Cook (here, next to this marker); George H. Wirt (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mont Alto (about 700 feet away); Conklin Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chestnut Spring (approx. 0.6 miles away); Snow Hill Cloister (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mont Alto.
More about this marker. The marker is next to the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy marker. Brock worked in and later managed the forest nursery across the street. Further east on Route 233, at the top of South Mountain in the Michaux State Forest, is the Pennsylvania State Seed Tree Orchard also named for Ralph Brock.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Ralph E. Brock. Pennsylvania Conservation Heritage Project website entry (Submitted on November 3, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2007, by Peter Linehan of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,182 times since then and 13 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 November 3, 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.