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Altoona is a Pennsylvanian city located in the central part of the state in Blair County. With a population of
49,523 according to the last census taking in 2000, Altoona is the 9th largest city in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania cities with a larger population than Altoona are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,
Reading, Scranton, Bethlehem and Lancaster. Including the metro area, Altoona has a population of
125,527.
Altoona has a long history in the railroad industry and is looking to rebound after having been bit by an
overall decline in the nation’s industrial sector. Today, Altoona is home to the headquarters of Sheetz, a
large and growing chain of gas stations and convenience stores focused in the northeast.
The city hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates Double A affiliate, the Altoona Curve, which is a member of the Eastern
League. Other prominent places in Altoona include the Altoona Symphony Orchestra (going on its 80th
season), Horseshoe Curve, the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the Mishler Theatre, the Cathedral of the
Blessed Sacrament, and the Jaffa Mosque.
History
Since being founded in 1849 by the Pennsylvanian Railroad, Altoona has had a notable history as a major
railroad town. Incorporated as a borough in 1854, legislation made Altoona a city in 1867 as the town grew
rapidly. Altoona saw its population grow 10-fold in a short span, from approximately 2,000 in 1854 to 20,000
by 1880.
Much of the growth in Altoona was stimulated from the need of locomotives during the Civil War. The
importance of the city became apparent when it was considered a target by Confederate General Robert E.
Lee before the Union pushed back the Confederate at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Perhaps the most notable and famous landmark – and listed as a National Historic Landmark – in Altoona is
the Horseshoe Curve. To reach steel towns such as Pittsburgh and to the western portion of the country, the
Curve raised trains to an ample height to cross the Allegheny Ridge. Because of its industrial importance,
the Horseshoe Curve became a target during the Second World War of eight Nazi saboteurs who had
entered the country.
At its peak in the early 1900’s, the Railroad's Altoona Works complex had 15,000 employees, 122 buildings
that covered 218 acres of indoor workshops. Nearly 8,000 locomotives were built at the Altoona Works with
the last being constructed in 1946.
The railroad industry had a significant influence on the planning of the city as well, with the Pennsylvania
Railroad creating the city's fire departments while the hospital relocated its location closer to the shop. The
Railroad sponsored a city band and constructed the sports facility of Cricket Field. The Mechanic's Library
was constructed in 1853 by the Railroad and became the first industrial library in the nation. Today it’s known
as the Altoona Public Library. As the end of World War II brought a decline in the demand in railroad, along
with the construction of the interstate highway system, the Altoona plant began its inevitable steady decline.
Today, most of the plant no longer exists and many historic landmarks in the city have disappeared.
With the fallout of the railroad industry, Altoona began to try and diversify the region’s economy and
attracted new manufacturing jobs. During the same period, urban redevelopment activities revitalized major
sections of the city and created new housing, educational and professional opportunities.
Around Town
Also located in the downtown portion of the city is several prominent churches, such as the Cathedral of the
Blessed Sacrament, the Presbyterian Church, and the First Lutheran Church. Built in the place of many old
railroad shops was the Station Mall, which has since become the Station Medical Center. Also downtown is
most the city’s Little Italy district and many Penn State Altoona buildings. The Industrial section is between
17th and 37th streets, and is considered part of downtown and contains manufacturing facilities such as
Boyer Candies.
The Dutch Hill and Pleasant Valley areas are on the edge of downtown Altoona and contain historic
neighborhoods from the earliest railroad days. This area still has old fashioned "corner markets" and several
tourist locations. Fairview is an area bordering the downtown area of Altoona that contains some urban
residential housing along with office and retail buildings. The southern end of the city is the Eldorado area,
where the headquarters to Sheetz is located. Logantown is north of downtown Altoona, and includes the
Altoona Hospital. Once its own city, Juniata is a commercial district that became incorporated into Altoona in
the late 19th century. The Greenwood area is a mixture of urban and suburban neighborhoods to the east.
Altoona Sports
Since being founded in 1998, the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate has played at the Blair County
Ballpark in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The team was given the name the Altoona Curve, which is named after
the famous Horseshoe Curve and alludes to a type of baseball pitch, and is a member of the Eastern League.
Prior to the Curve and Blair County Ballpark was the sports complex named Cricket Field which was located
at the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Seventh Street. Built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the early
1900’s, Cricket Field was initially built for cricket but soon saw baseball and other sporting events and
entertainment taking place.
Transportation
The Norfolk Southern Railroad's Pittsburgh Line continues to have a major center in Altoona, and on a
typical day the city will see upwards of 80 trains pass through. When trains reach the historic Horseshoe
Curve, helper engines are used to achieve the extra power required. The primary repair shop for the Norfolk
Southern is the Juniata Heavy Repair Shop Complex, which was originally built by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Also using the Horsing Curve, Amtrak's Pennsylvanian train takes passengers to and from the Altoona
station, stopping in each direction every day.
AMTRAN provides the local bus service for Altoona. Local riders have seen recent cuts in service due to lack
of state funding, although plans are being made to resolve this situation.
Interstate 99 is the main source of road travel to and from Altoona, with it providing access to Interstate 80 to
the north and the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the south. US Route 22 runs east/west and connects Harrisburg
directly to Pittsburgh.
Providing daily flights to Washington Dulles International Airport, the Altoona-Blair County Airport is the
central location for air travel in the region. The airport also provides a number of flights into Pittsburgh
International Airport.
49,523 according to the last census taking in 2000, Altoona is the 9th largest city in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania cities with a larger population than Altoona are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,
Reading, Scranton, Bethlehem and Lancaster. Including the metro area, Altoona has a population of
125,527.
Altoona has a long history in the railroad industry and is looking to rebound after having been bit by an
overall decline in the nation’s industrial sector. Today, Altoona is home to the headquarters of Sheetz, a
large and growing chain of gas stations and convenience stores focused in the northeast.
The city hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates Double A affiliate, the Altoona Curve, which is a member of the Eastern
League. Other prominent places in Altoona include the Altoona Symphony Orchestra (going on its 80th
season), Horseshoe Curve, the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the Mishler Theatre, the Cathedral of the
Blessed Sacrament, and the Jaffa Mosque.
History
Since being founded in 1849 by the Pennsylvanian Railroad, Altoona has had a notable history as a major
railroad town. Incorporated as a borough in 1854, legislation made Altoona a city in 1867 as the town grew
rapidly. Altoona saw its population grow 10-fold in a short span, from approximately 2,000 in 1854 to 20,000
by 1880.
Much of the growth in Altoona was stimulated from the need of locomotives during the Civil War. The
importance of the city became apparent when it was considered a target by Confederate General Robert E.
Lee before the Union pushed back the Confederate at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Perhaps the most notable and famous landmark – and listed as a National Historic Landmark – in Altoona is
the Horseshoe Curve. To reach steel towns such as Pittsburgh and to the western portion of the country, the
Curve raised trains to an ample height to cross the Allegheny Ridge. Because of its industrial importance,
the Horseshoe Curve became a target during the Second World War of eight Nazi saboteurs who had
entered the country.
At its peak in the early 1900’s, the Railroad's Altoona Works complex had 15,000 employees, 122 buildings
that covered 218 acres of indoor workshops. Nearly 8,000 locomotives were built at the Altoona Works with
the last being constructed in 1946.
The railroad industry had a significant influence on the planning of the city as well, with the Pennsylvania
Railroad creating the city's fire departments while the hospital relocated its location closer to the shop. The
Railroad sponsored a city band and constructed the sports facility of Cricket Field. The Mechanic's Library
was constructed in 1853 by the Railroad and became the first industrial library in the nation. Today it’s known
as the Altoona Public Library. As the end of World War II brought a decline in the demand in railroad, along
with the construction of the interstate highway system, the Altoona plant began its inevitable steady decline.
Today, most of the plant no longer exists and many historic landmarks in the city have disappeared.
With the fallout of the railroad industry, Altoona began to try and diversify the region’s economy and
attracted new manufacturing jobs. During the same period, urban redevelopment activities revitalized major
sections of the city and created new housing, educational and professional opportunities.
Around Town
- In downtown Altoona, PA, straddling much of the famous railroads, is
the cultural and business center of the region. With its notable history,
the downtown area also has many landmarks listed in the national
registry of historic places. Some of the historic landmarks include the
Mishler Theatre, Penn Alto, Gable's Building, City Hall, the Cathedral,
and the Jaffa Mosque. The downtown area also includes many multi-
story residential units, commercial shopping centers, and mixed-use
facilities.
Also located in the downtown portion of the city is several prominent churches, such as the Cathedral of the
Blessed Sacrament, the Presbyterian Church, and the First Lutheran Church. Built in the place of many old
railroad shops was the Station Mall, which has since become the Station Medical Center. Also downtown is
most the city’s Little Italy district and many Penn State Altoona buildings. The Industrial section is between
17th and 37th streets, and is considered part of downtown and contains manufacturing facilities such as
Boyer Candies.
The Dutch Hill and Pleasant Valley areas are on the edge of downtown Altoona and contain historic
neighborhoods from the earliest railroad days. This area still has old fashioned "corner markets" and several
tourist locations. Fairview is an area bordering the downtown area of Altoona that contains some urban
residential housing along with office and retail buildings. The southern end of the city is the Eldorado area,
where the headquarters to Sheetz is located. Logantown is north of downtown Altoona, and includes the
Altoona Hospital. Once its own city, Juniata is a commercial district that became incorporated into Altoona in
the late 19th century. The Greenwood area is a mixture of urban and suburban neighborhoods to the east.
Altoona Sports
Since being founded in 1998, the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate has played at the Blair County
Ballpark in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The team was given the name the Altoona Curve, which is named after
the famous Horseshoe Curve and alludes to a type of baseball pitch, and is a member of the Eastern League.
Prior to the Curve and Blair County Ballpark was the sports complex named Cricket Field which was located
at the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Seventh Street. Built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the early
1900’s, Cricket Field was initially built for cricket but soon saw baseball and other sporting events and
entertainment taking place.
Transportation
The Norfolk Southern Railroad's Pittsburgh Line continues to have a major center in Altoona, and on a
typical day the city will see upwards of 80 trains pass through. When trains reach the historic Horseshoe
Curve, helper engines are used to achieve the extra power required. The primary repair shop for the Norfolk
Southern is the Juniata Heavy Repair Shop Complex, which was originally built by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Also using the Horsing Curve, Amtrak's Pennsylvanian train takes passengers to and from the Altoona
station, stopping in each direction every day.
AMTRAN provides the local bus service for Altoona. Local riders have seen recent cuts in service due to lack
of state funding, although plans are being made to resolve this situation.
Interstate 99 is the main source of road travel to and from Altoona, with it providing access to Interstate 80 to
the north and the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the south. US Route 22 runs east/west and connects Harrisburg
directly to Pittsburgh.
Providing daily flights to Washington Dulles International Airport, the Altoona-Blair County Airport is the
central location for air travel in the region. The airport also provides a number of flights into Pittsburgh
International Airport.
