History
The community was originally laid out in 23 lots on top of a local hill, the name "Altamont Hill" dating back to before the Civil War. In 1899, the Steubenville, Mingo & Ohio Valley Traction Company (later the Steubenville & Wheeling Traction Company) built an electric street railroad from Steubenville to Brilliant and Mingo Junction going over Altamont Hill (with a station in the Atlamont community). The Altamont line was rarely used though, due to the high grade, and after seven years was abandoned in favor of a lower grade junction that was built around the hill. [3]
Altamont Park was a small Trolley Park on the northern hilltop of Altamont around the turn of the last century where WTOV TV9, (previously WSTV) sits. It holds historical significance in the realm of sports. On October 12, 1905, the Pittsburgh Pirates, featuring baseball legend Honus Wagner, played an exhibition game against the Steubenville Business College at Altamont Park. Despite wintry weather, over 500 fans attended, witnessing the Pirates’ 5-3 victory. Impressed by the local team’s performance, Wagner agreed to a rematch eight days later, resulting in a 7-3 win for the Pirates.
There is a known soft-cover circa 1900 booklet entitled ALTAMONT, which describes what was known as Altamont Park at the time featuring the recreational amenities and its historic ground, ease of access, improvements, mineral springs, the casino, and other pertinent topics. There are several black and white pictures. It mentions the electric train cars that opened in July 1900 and the shade trees that will be planted before the Spring of 1901.
The best available pictures featuring a glimpse of this location can be found online in the form of souvenir post cards. One depicts the trolley line titled "Horse Shoe Bend" on Trolley Line Steubenville at the top of the hill where the park was located. [ebay]
Additionally, a known historic postcard depicting “Locust Grove at Altamont Park” from the early 1900s provides a visual glimpse into the park’s past, highlighting its significance as a community gathering place during that era.[ebay]
As well another known post card titled "Power House, Mings Traction Co." exists showing the trolley power station (still standing in part, along side the base of Altamont Road) and trolley car tracks ascending the hill towards the park location.
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