Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
again. Cabins, picnic areas, horse barns, trails, roadways, and a public lodge were
all completed by 1938, and Monte Sano State Park was born.
The South Plateau Loop is an easy, flat 3.5-mile hike over a wide dirt path. The
trail crosses several seasonal creeks as it makes its way around the south side of
the mountain. There are several bluffs along this section of the trail; the better
views, however, come as you walk the eastern side of the mountain and at
O'Shaughnessy Point. Here you will find a bench and a beautiful panoramic view
down into a valley known as the Big Cove.
The point was named for Colonel James O'Shaughnessy from Dublin, Ireland,
who came to the region to supervise the construction of a trunk railroad line from
Brunswick, Georgia, to St. Louis, Missouri, that would pass through Huntsville.
He also helped supervise the building of the Monte Sano Hotel.
Colonel O'Shaughnessy purchased an estate on Monte Sano Mountain to house
his many guests, but he was not lucky when it came to being a home owner. The
Fearn Mansion that he purchased was once the centerpiece of the sanitarium that
Dr. Fearn established on the mountain to bring patients to the clean, crisp air of
the countryside. In 1890, not long after the colonel purchased the mansion, it was
destroyed by fire. So, he rebuilt his home, this time in a spectacular Queen Anne
style, with rich wood paneling, ornate fireplaces, and large wraparound porches.
However, a few short years after its construction, fire destroyed this home as well.
According to park officials, archeologists return to this area regularly to try to loc-
ate the remains of this home and establish more of the history that Colonel
O'Shaughnessy brought to Monte Sano.
The trail is dotted with rest shelters. These are nice covered buildings where
you can sit and take a break. Also, several other trails crisscross the path and head
back to the trailhead, making it easy to cut the trip short, a blessing if you have
small children and you need to get back.
Along the trail you might see several species of wildlife, including bobcat,
white-tailed deer, opossum, skunk, and woodchuck. As for vegetation, the trail
passes through forests of red and silver maple and birch trees. From early spring
to the beginning of summer, wildflowers such as violets and catchfly will be
found blooming.
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