History of Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA

1854 - Altoona
Altoona, a thriving post-village of Blair county, Pennsylvania, on the Central railroad, 244 miles W. from Philadelphia, and 160 miles E. from Pittsburg. It stands at the eastern base of the Alleghany mountain, where the railroad begins to ascend it, and contains the principal depot and work shops of the railroad company. The village was laid out in 1849, and contained in 1851, 80 houses and several large machine shops.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1887 - SINGULAR ACCIDENT. THE BREAKING OF A CAR WHEEL ON THE PENNSYLVANIA ROAD RESULTS IN THE KILLING OF FOUR PASSENGERS.
Altoona, Pa., May 28. - Last night as the fast line west was nearing Kittanning Point the wheel of a car on a train cast burst and the car crashed into two passenger coaches with terrible effect, killing instantly four men and injuring many others. Telegrams were immediately sent to this city for physicians and all that could be procured hurried to the wreck.

The killed are as follows:
D. GRAHAM, son of ex-speaker Graham, Allegheny, Pa.
J. H. STAUFFER, of Lewisville, O.
WYMER SNYDER, a one-legged man, of Shamokin, Pa.
JOHN DORRIN, a newsboy, of East Liberty, Pa.
FRANK McCOE, of 75 East Thirty-third Street, New York City, will die.
CHARLES BEIDELMAN, of Brinfield, Noble County, Indiana, is dying.

The injured are:
A. AGEN, Fayetteville, N. Y., head and side, not serious.
CLARA ALBERT, of Flint, Mich., slightly.
REV. JOHN ALFRED, of Beaver Falls, Pa., slightly.
HATTIE DICKETT, colored, of Alexandria, Vt., not seriously.
REV. E. H. PORTER, colored, of Detroit,... Read MORE...

1895 - Altoona
Altoona, a city of Blair co, Pa., on the Pennsylvania Railroad, at the eastern base of the Alleghany Mountains, 117 miles E. of Pittsburg, 237 miles W.N.W. of Philadelphia, and 132 miles W. by N. from Harrisburg. Here the railroad begins to ascend the mountain by a grade so steep that two locomotives are attached to each train. A branch railroad extends from Altoona southward to Henrietta. Locomotives and railroad-cars are manufactured here in extensive machine-shops belonging to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Four daily and 6 weekly newspapers are published here. Altoona is supplied with water by hydraulic works which cost about $500,000. It has 21 churches, viz., 2 Baptist, 4 Catholic, 1 Church of God, 1 Dunkard, 1 Episcopal, 1 German Lutheran, 1 German Reformed, 2 Lutheran, 5 Methodist, 2 Presbyterian, and 1 United Brethren; also 2 convents, a high school, a public library, 2 national banks, 2 other banks, a rolling-mill, several planing-mills, iron-works, &c. Pop. in 1860,... Read MORE...

1906 - BIG FIRE AT ALTOONA. FURNITURE STORE AND THEATRE DESTROYED - OTHER BUILDINGS DAMAGED.
Altoona, Pa., Oct. 20. - One of the most serious fires that has ever occurred in Altoona started in the new five-story furniture building of OLIVER ROTHERT, and before it was brought under control property to the amount of near $500,000 was destroyed. The ROTHERT building and the new theatre of I. C. MISHLER were entirely destroyed, and the new building of the Order of Elks, which had not yet been completed, was badly damaged. The Altoona Trust company structure and the office building of the Pennsylvania Railroad company, which are on the opposite side of the street, were damaged slightly by fire and water.

The ROTHERT building carried an insurance of $155,000, MISHLER $50,000 and the Elks $20,000. The telegraph and telephone service in the neighborhood of the burned area is interrupted.

After the fire MR. MISHLER announded that he will handle his MISHLER theatre bookings at his Eleventh ave. Opera house here this winter.

Frederick Maryland 1906-10-20
The News
Frederick, Maryland
October 20, 1906

1907 - December 23 - 1st all-steel passengar railroad coach completed, Altoona, Pa

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1916
Altoona, a city of Blair co., Pa., on the Pennsylvania R., at the eastern base of the Alleghany Mountains, 117 miles E. of Pittsburg, 237 miles WNW. of Philadelphia, and 132 miles W. by N. of Harrisburg. Here the railroad begins to ascend the mountain by a grade of 90 feet to the mile, and in 5 miles' distance is carried over the famous Horseshoe Curve. Altoona is situated at an elevation of 1180 feet above the sea. Locomotives and railroad-cars are manufactured here in extensive machine-shops belonging to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which cover an area of nearly 150 acres and give employment to 6000- 7000 hands. Over 300 locomotives, besides several hundred passenger coaches and 5000 freight cars, have been turned out here in the course of a single year. Pop. in 1860, 3591 ; in 1890, 30,337 ; in 1900, 38,973. The city is situated in a bituminous coal region.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1945 - YARD ACCIDENT TAKES LIFE OF RAIL FIREMAN. LUKE A BOYLAN OF LILLY IS STRUCK BY EAST BOUND PASSENGER LOCOMOTIVE.
Altoona, Pa., (AP) - LUKE A BOYLAN, aged 48, of 142 Portage Street, Lilly, a Pittsburgh division locomotive fireman, was killed instantly this morning at 7:18 o'clock when struck by an eastbound passenger train in the Altoona Yard near the Fourth Street Bridge.

Dr. Daniel M. Replogle, Blair County Coroner, and his deputy, Edgar M. Walls, who investigated the fatal accident, reported that the body was found between the No. 3 and No. 4 tracks. Injuries included the mangling of both feet, a broken right arm, possible fracture of the skull and internal injuries.

The report of the accident prepared by Pennsylvania Railroad officials and corroborated by Coroner Replogle after questioning of train crews and yard employees, indicates that MR. BOYLAN, fireman for Engineer L. S. Dodson of 104 Chestnut Avenue, had gone to the nearby Wertz tower to learn when his freight train would depart for the west.

He was presumably returning to the locomotive to report to the engineer when struck... Read MORE...

1953 - March 1 - WTAJ TV channel 10 in Altoona, PA (CBS) begins broadcasting

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Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Altoona:
Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark:

Start your journey with a visit to this iconic landmark. It's a great spot for train enthusiasts, offering a panoramic view of trains navigating the famous Horseshoe Curve.

Railroaders Memorial Museum:

Delve deeper into the region's rich railroad history by exploring this museum. It showcases the evolution of railroading with exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.

Lakemont Park:

Enjoy a fun day out at Lakemont Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States. From roller coasters to water rides, there's something for everyone.

Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum:

Another gem for railroad enthusiasts, this museum focuses on honoring the men and women who built, operated, and maintained the railroad industry.

Altoona Symphony Orchestra:

Check the local schedule for performances by the Altoona Symphony Orchestra. A night of classical music can be a delightful change of pace.

Baker... Read MORE...