11 



far from being ideal and the school was handicapped for some 

 years until in 1908 the first of our modern buildings was 

 erected. Along with the development in material equipment has 

 gone a constant progression in the standard required for en- 

 trance and for graduation, until the course has attained its 

 present degree of completeness. 



LOCATION. 



The Pennsylvania State Forest Academy is located about one 

 mile from Mont Alto, a small village in Franklin County, which 

 is sixty miles southwest of Harrisburg on the Cumberland Val- 

 ley Railroad. The school is located at the base of the west slope 

 of the South Mountain ridge of the Blue Mountains. The ground 

 occupied by the school buildings is a part of a State forest 

 which affords an opportunity for practical instruction and ex- 

 perimentation equalled by few if any forestry schools. The 

 situation is healthful and the school is supplied with water from 

 a spring located in the interior of the forest. To the west of 

 the school lies the Cumberland Valley which is regarded one of 

 the garden spots of Pennsylvania. 



The location of the school stands in strong contrast with those 

 in the larger cities. Such an isolated location bas a few disad- 

 vantages, recompensed however, by many advantages which 

 make it not only more attractive for study but which allow the 

 students to study things rather than about things. 



BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. 



The oldest building of the academy group is Wiestling Hall, 

 a large three-story structure, at one time the residence of Colonel 

 George B. Wiestling, a member of the first Forestry Commis- 

 sion of Pennsylvania. The building has recently been remodeled 

 and is used as an administration building. 



