One explanation of the citys name is that the word altoona is a derivative of the latin word altus, meaning high. Including sketches of the shops of the pennsylvania railroad co ebook written by james h. Transportation revolutions in altoona by brian black and p. The pennsylvania railroad surveyed possible routes and arrived on a valley floor at the base of the allegheny mountains in 1849 that was primarily occupied by the david robeson farm.
Soldiers of blair county online book by floyd hoenstine with lists from 17761940. The nations railroad heart by david moltkehansen getting a move on. Altoona, opened to traffic on february 15, 1854, and it enabled a railroad line. In 1849, the railroad began developing the community that became altoona as a staging area for the construction of the rail line. An illustrated history of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1876 by william egle, m. Page 265 history of the city of altoona and blair county, including sketches of the shops of the pennsylvania railroad co. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read railroad city. Altoona postcard history series kindle edition by david w. Although the city of altoona was founded in 1849, it was not until 1851 that a church was built and a permanent catholic parish was established, primarily to provide for the spiritual needs of the laborers helping to. Altoona works also known as altoona terminal is a large railroad industrial complex in altoona, pennsylvania. Read about the early history of pennsylvania, its oil history, its cultural evolution, and much more. Altoona is a city built by the pennsylvania railroad. Uncover the story behind over 100 unique locomotives and priceless pieces of the pa railroad historical collection at the railroad museum of pennsylvania.
Twentieth century history of altoona and blair county 1911 online book. In this riveting book, the author brings history alive with the. The actual view of track trains is limited to about 140 meters of track, but of course you can hear the engines. A passion for history inherited from her father drives her writing and a love for pennsylvania sustains it. Railroad maps pennsylvania historical and museum commission. Discovering the railroaders memorial museum in altoona. Due to the covid19 situation the railroaders memorial museum and horseshoe curve nhl is using extreme caution for the wellness of our patrons and supporters.
Tom and joes altoona, pa my favorite breakfast place. It contains original scholarship and fresh interpretations that set the standard in railway research. The horseshoe curve chapter, national railway historical society nrhs, is a tax exempt, nonprofit organization which engages in projects to preserve and maintain historical equipment and information relating to the rail transportation industry, particularly as it applies to central pennsylvania. The line attracts sightseeing passengers and also handles coal shipments from mines at daugherty. For anyone that has even a mild interest in history or trains, altoonas horseshoe curve is a fascinating place to visit when traveling in blair county, pennsylvania. Altoona was founded by the pennsylvania railroad prr in 1849 as the site for a shop and maintenance complex. This building was built in 1882 and was once an extensive testing laboratory for the railroad.
Feb 29, 2020 history and genealogy of altoona and blair county, pennsylvania, usa. Altoona and the pennsylvania railroad historical society. It eventually replaced the timeconsuming allegheny portage. Rodney dangerfield at his best on the tonight show starring johnny carson 1983 duration. Her first book, redfield farm was the story of the underground railroad in bedford county, pennsylvania.
Erie railroad and the delaware, lackawanna and western railroad. Taking an amtrak train is about seven hours in airconditioned and heated train cars. History of altoona, pennsylvania altoona is a city in western pennsylvania, located in blair county about 100 miles east of pittsburgh. History of the city of altoona and blair county, altoona, pa. If your ancestor worked for another railroad line or industry not subsumed by the prr, consult the research guide page entitled state archives collections relating to railroads. Altoona history instructor jared frederick presents the story of altoona within. Park benches, lighting as well as some covered shelters connect overhead pedestrian bridges that span over the tracks. Note from the editor by tamara gaskell miller note from the president. The history of blair county, pa, is recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this new 19 page booklet, reprinted primarily from three hardtofind books. Cities usually grow to maturity and then sprout suburbs. We have decided to delay our season opening to may 1st tentatively. The societys mission is to further scholarly learning and interest in the pennsylvania railroad prr and its predecessor companies by stimulating and encouraging the collecting, researching, recording and preserving of all technical, historical and practical information concerning the prr and to make this information available to interested. Choose our history of pennsylvania books at arcadia publishing. The book includes a history of the bridges that stood before it, details about the.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading altoona postcard history series. A must for blair county homegrown and railroad buffs. Horseshoe curve and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Check out tripadvisor members candid pictures and videos of landmarks, hotels, and attractions in altoona.
Online shopping from a great selection at books store. The pennsylvania railroad in 1874 established the department of physical testing under the direction of the superintendent of motive power theodore n. History of the city of altoona and blair county, library. Drenched in civil war and railroad history, altoona also repurposed several of its historic landmark structures to. Right place at the right time altoona history teacher lesson plan. Our collections include books, newspapers, business and organizational records, postcards, and photographs. See more ideas about pennsylvania history, history and genealogy. In addition, management placed the shops at mifflin in a subordinate role to those at harrisburg and altoona. Library history the history of the altoona public library this is the history of the creation of the altoona area public library from its humble beginnings of a room atop a ticket office to the threestory, fullyequipped structure that stands today. Special history study prr shops and works altoona, pa. National railway historical society, and he serves as its chapter historian. Altoona and the pennsylvania railroad between a roar and a whimper. Blair county pennsylvania history rp from 3 rare books.
We have a solid collection of railroad history books and photographs. Amtrak ride on horseshoe curve, railroaders museum. Four historic neighborhoods in altoona, pennsylvania ebook written by. Check out the nearby railroaders memorial museum or allegheny portage railroad. The allegheny ridge was a major barrier to the completion of an eastwest railroad across pennsylvania. Good for kids learning about altoona and the pa railroad.
As people arrived for employment opportunities, the railroad company purchased the robeson farm, laid out the plan of a town, and named it altoona. This museum, which is located within the old master mechanics building of the pennsylvania railroad. It was built between 1850 and 1925 by the pennsylvania railroad prr to supply the railroad with locomotives, railroad cars and related equipment. Horseshoe curve chapter, national railway historical society. Altoona, pa alt the pennsylvania railroad established altoona in 1849 as a base for its rail operations over the alleghenies. Ewing page images at hathitrust oration delivered by hon. Railroad employees pennsylvania historical and museum. By 1850, the railroad had been constructed from harrisburg west to altoona. The curve itself is about 2,375 feet 700 m long and 1,300 feet 400 m in diameter. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on february 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on april 3, 1867, and february 8, 1868 altoona.
Located in downtown altoona, the railroads memorial museum is housed in the former master mechanics building of the pennsylvania railroad. Railroads built civil engineering and architectural landmarks in pennsylvanias cities and countryside including probably the most widely known horseshoe curve near altoona, and stations, bridges, and tunnels in every part of the state. Altoona action is a hardcover book featuring 30 years of railroading in. And believe me, theres no better place to enjoy railroad history than altoona, a city in southcentral pennsylvania with a rich railroad heritage. This railwalk was built with the idea of train watching. Digital books on pa penn state university digital collections william penn document. Jerry jaye wright, the pennsylvania railroad companys influence on baseball in altoona, pennsylvania, 18621884, north american society for sports history proceedings and newsletter, 1989, 30. Sleber the loyal war governors conference by timothy van scoyoc. Pennsylvania railroad, baldwin class builders photograph dated altoona works photo no. Altoona pa images of america anne frances pulling on. Thank you to the city of altoona, mayor oconnor and the entire city council for the continued support of the altoona area historical society and the altoona area historical museum.
Horseshoe curve is a threetrack railroad curve on norfolk southern railways pittsburgh line in blair county, pennsylvania. Roaring spring historical society includes the roaring spring train station. The town thrived as a gem of the pennsylvania railroad, which constructed some. Also, in 1867, the railroad constructed a new enginehouse of 44 stalls at altoona along with a fireproof oil house for the storage and mixing of oil products, a brick sandhouse, and the.
Altoona action is a hardcover book featuring 30 years of railroading in and around the city of altoona, pennsylvania. In recent years, we have seen an increasingly urgent need to find a way to capture the information about our past from books that are crumbling with age. The altoona area public library offers local history books in digital format to preserve the history of the area. Upon incorporation of the pennsylvania railroad in 1846, officials immediately began drawing up plans for their railroad s maintenance facilities as their railroad progressed westward. The pennsylvania railroad developed the city in 1849 as the point where locomotives would be switched on trains crossing the alleghenies. This book brings together photos, historical materials, and company records from. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read history of the city of altoona and blair county. For many years it was the largest railroad shop complex in the world. Upon incorporation of the pennsylvania railroad in 1846, officials immediately began drawing up plans for their railroads maintenance facilities as their railroad progressed westward. The history of baseball in altoona, pennsylvania society.
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