Altoona

Images of America: Pennsylvania

by Anne Frances Pulling

Altoona is a city built by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Cities usually grow to maturity and then sprout suburbs. With Altoona, it was the opposite. The suburban towns are older than the city and form a larger community. In 1849, Altoona was farmland, a little hamlet in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. The site was chosen by the railroad for locomotive repair shops. Situated at the eastern base of the Allegheny Mountains, Altoona was destined to become the largest railroad yard in the world. The complex occupied 217 acres and included two huge roundhouses. Centered around the railroad, the city and its population grew. In this historic city were various shops that provided employment to early settlers and the old furnaces of the ironmasters. Also here were the Logan House hotel, where a meeting of governors saved the Union, and Cricket Field, where great athletes from across the country competed. Over the years Altoona has been visited by not only presidents and statesmen but also celebrities of stage and opera. It is home to the world-famous Horseshoe Curve and to Lakemont Park, which has the world’s oldest roller coaster.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Nancy]

There must have been incredible research done to find the photos for this book. The pictures were clear and well ordered. I wish there had been maps as well.

My complaint is that I have a hard time believing that all those things started in Altoona, PA. I admit I am a transplant, but still . . .

I was buying all of it until I read that in 1880, the first telephone exchange was established in Altoona. I researched that OH cities got their exchanges then, too. When I first read it, I didn't read the "in 1880" part. That's what happens when you read fast.

The whole book is like that. It happened here first. Or, Altoona was one of the first. A few US Presidents have been and stayed in town. Popular entertainers stayed and played in town.

That was then.

It was a good look back.

Unfortunately, many people in Altoona just look back.

[Jeff]

It was neat to read more about and learn more about some of the places we visited today. I feel like I "filled in" pieces of the puzzle of Altoona history, a fascinating history of railroading, immigration, and I even learned about the importance of the governor's conference held there during the Civil War.