Here in 1811, Andrew Henderson and Robert Allison built the second iron furnace in present Blair County. Elias Baker became three-fourths owner in 1836, and in 1844 (as he prepared to build his Greek Revival mansion nearby) he became full owner. The . . . — — Map (db m203099) HM
Founded 1849 as a terminal for westward expansion of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It soon became a major railroad center of the nation. Scene of the War Governors' Conference, 1867. — — Map (db m52337) HM
This mountain lion has stood proudly on the campus of Altoona Area High School since May, 1972. Heinz Warneke, the sculptor of the Penn State University Nittany Lion, was hired by the AAHS Alumni Association to create a similar piece as a tribute . . . — — Map (db m53752) HM
This bell was originally used by the
Altoona Volunteer Fire Dept. at this site
from 1870-1925. In 1925, the bell was placed
on display by the Blair County Historical Society
at Baker Mansion. It was returned to this site on
Sept. . . . — — Map (db m176179) HM
You are standing at the center of what was once the greatest railroad shop complex in the world - the Altoona Works of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Established in 1850 along with the town of Altoona, the railroad shops eventually sprawled across . . . — — Map (db m53725) HM
This fine example of Greek Revival Architecture was the home of Elias Baker, a leading ironmaster of the region. Built in 1846, it is now the museum and home of the Blair County Historical Society. Located on the hill opposite this point. — — Map (db m52338) HM
Erected 1844-1847. Architect, Robert Cary Long, Jr. Residence of Elias Baker, Ironmaster, and his family, 1848 to 1914. Museum of the Blair County Historical Society since 1922. Entrance to mansion from street in rear. — — Map (db m52342) HM
"Bathhouse U" became a popular nickname for the Altoona Undergraduate Center when it moved to Ivyside Park in 1948. The huge two-block-long dressing room - with its 4000 swimmers' locker baskets -- was remodeled into the AUC's "Main . . . — — Map (db m135611) HM
To honor these citizens of Blair County
who were awarded their nations highest honor
the Congressional Medal of Honor
J. Levi Roush - U.S.A. - Civil War
John Hickman - U.S.N. - Civil War
William P. MacLay - U.S.A. - Phillippine . . . — — Map (db m135604) WM
To all
Sons of Blair County
who served this nation
in time of war,
this road of memory
is gratefully dedicated
for all time
Dedicated Nov. 12, 1933
Rededicated Nov. 11, 1992 — — Map (db m53757) WM
On June 12, 1912, Luther G. Smith, a
locomotive engineer for the
Pennsylvania Railroad, founded the
Brotherhood's Relief and
Compensation Fund (BR&CF). The
BR&CF, a non-profit corporation
established in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, . . . — — Map (db m280718) HM
Here stands foundation stones, a piece of the upper corner truss and the dedication plaque from the 7th Street Bridge that was constructed at this location from 1912 to 1913. This bridge served Altoona for 91 years and became part of many . . . — — Map (db m135588) HM
Conestoga Wagon
The Conestoga wagon is a heavy, covered wagon that
was used extensively during the late eighteenth century.
It was often large enough to transport loads of freight up
to 6 tons and was drawn by horses, mules . . . — — Map (db m226897) HM
The Downtown Altoona
Historic District
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m135607) HM
The small Pine and Elm buildings are the only two buildings left from the Ivyside Amusement Park. The Elm Building also wins the prize as the most remodeled building on campus. Originally the shooting gallery for the Ivyside Park, the building held . . . — — Map (db m135614) HM
At this location
March 16 1867
First PRR YMCA organized
Second railroad YMCA in USA
Erected March 16 1951
75th anniversary — — Map (db m135591) HM
With the vision of universal freedom
for all mankind
this tree is dedicated to
CW2 Sheldon Schultz
and all
Prisoners of War
and
Missing in Action — — Map (db m53754) WM
Inscription of photo at top of marker GP9 #7048, momentarily off-duty, cools its wheels at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania engine terminal.
Caption of next photo Pennsylvania Railroad GP9 #7048 replaced the K4 locomotive as a trackside . . . — — Map (db m55659) HM
FDRs Sec. of the Interior 1933-46. Builder of public works, ardent conservationist, fierce fighter for human rights, advocate of government as an agent for the public good. This is the site of his boyhood home. — — Map (db m52344) HM
has been placed on the
National Register of
Historic Railroad Landmarks
1854 - 2004
The first railroad to cross the
Allegheny Mountains between
Harrisburg and Pittsburgn,
with a maximum grade of 1.87%,
was engineered by J. Edgar . . . — — Map (db m52526) HM
Designed and built under the direction [of] Pennsylvania Railroad chief engineer and, later, company president, J. Edgar Thomson. Horseshoe Curve opened February 15, 1854. It was 366 meters across and 1310 meters long with a 1.8 percent grade. . . . — — Map (db m52488) HM
Lancaster native and Altoona businessman and promoter. Built and managed theaters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 1906, he built the opulent Mishler Theater here for stage shows, musical performances, live theater, and vaudeville. — — Map (db m52345) HM
The Community Arts Center parking lot is located on the site of the former Ivyside Park Swimming Pool, once the world's largest concrete pool filled with three million gallons of water. The giant pool measured in at 650 feet long, 186 feet wide, and . . . — — Map (db m135616) HM
The Juniata Shops
By 1889, the Pennsylvania Railroad had outgrown the capacity of the shop complex here at 12th street. Soon the facilities here would be complemented by new buildings in the nearby borough of Juniata, not yet a part of the . . . — — Map (db m135585) HM
Erected by citizens of Juniata in honor of the young men and the young women of this town, who served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps and with the American Red Cross in the Great War of 1917-1918.
Stars indicate the names of those . . . — — Map (db m135617) WM
400 Feet north of this marker is the site of the lead mines
These mines furnished much of the lead used by General Washingtons army during the revolution. — — Map (db m307327) HM
Built here in 1902 by E. Joy Morris of Philadelphia, it was among some 250 side-friction figure eight roller coasters in North America. It became the last known ride of this type and the world's oldest known operating roller coaster. A National . . . — — Map (db m52346) HM
At the famous railroad hotel on this site was held the Conference of Northern War Governors, September 24-26, 1862. Governor Andrew Curtin of Pennsylvania called the meeting which united forces behind Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation. — — Map (db m52347) HM
This section of Logan Valley Mall, Altoona, Pa.
Originally opened: November 3, 1965
Destroyed by fire: December 16, 1994
Reopened: May 23, 1996 — — Map (db m135576) HM
Built in 1882, this Master Mechanics Building housed then, as it does again today, stories of what made the Pennsylvania the most important railroad in America and a cornerstone of the industry.
First-Rate Mechanics
Each Pennsy operating . . . — — Map (db m52604) HM
Erected in honor of the Soldiers and Sailors of the Spanish American War This projectile was fired from one of the guns of the fleet of the U.S. Navy at Santiago Cuba June. 23. 1898. — — Map (db m53751) HM WM
This was the original (1850-54) PRR main line. After Horseshoe Curve was opened, this became the Hollidaysburg Branch (now Conrail's Cove Secondary Track).
From 1850 to 1854, the original PRR main line extended through what is now Altoona to a . . . — — Map (db m52528) HM
In commemoration of the many dedicated and devoted veterans and citizens of the Altoona community whose hard work, vision and spirit led to the growth of Penn State Altoona and its relocation from downtown Altoona to its present site at Ivyside Park . . . — — Map (db m135612) HM
The PRR built its first repair facilities here in 1850 and opened its first track to Altoona during the same year. By 1925, Altoona was home to the nation's largest concentration of railroad shops, with 16,500 people employed in several locations. — — Map (db m20998) HM
"The Pennsy wanted to make the track areas and stations look good. They gave out prizes to different sections for beauty and upkeep."
- Lou Johnston, Posy Gang member
A Hint of Nature in a Mechanical World
Among the hundreds of jobs on . . . — — Map (db m53728) HM
"You had to be a waiter - a good one - to work in the Dining Department. You worked 16 and 17 hours a day. Half the time we had to sleep in the dining car."
- James Corbett, Dining Car Waiter
For passengers, eating aboard a train was always an . . . — — Map (db m311798) HM
"Freight was different. The railroad started doubling up on the trains something fierce - 160-car trains. It would take you a week to get to the other end of them."
- Vince Farabaugh, Locomotive Engineer
Yardmaster John Conlon remembers one . . . — — Map (db m52629) HM
Over 300,000 skilled tradesmen went on strike against United States railroads to defend gains by unions during World War One. The Pennsylvania Railroad shops in Altoona led the anti-union opposition. The bitter struggle led to the 1926 Railway Labor . . . — — Map (db m52867) HM
The Reflecting Pond originally served as the warming dam for the Ivyside Park Swimming Pool. The freshwater pool was fed by Spring Run and the cold spring water was warmed in the warming dam before entering the pool. The warming dam, originally 15 . . . — — Map (db m135615) HM
One of the more unusual pieces of railroad equipment is the "scale test weight car" such as displayed here. Railroads charged their customers based upon the weight of goods shipped. After a car was loaded, the railroad moved the car to a railroad . . . — — Map (db m53750) HM
In 1952, Bob Sheetz opened the doors to the first Sheetz convenience store, located on 5th Avenue in Altoona, Pa. For decades, he led the company with a pioneering spirit and a deep respect for employees and customers.
Today, we . . . — — Map (db m176160) HM
The "Silver Chief" was created by sculptor Rob Fisher of Bellefonte, PA in 1978 and was given to the City of Altoona by the Downtown Altoona Progress Association. The figure is made of stainless steel and Fiberglass and is attached to an antique . . . — — Map (db m135608) HM
Died For Their Country
(South face)
(Top Center Column) Capt. Henry Wayne Capt. T. L. McGlathery Capt. P. T. Keys
(Left Column) Lieut. Geo. W. Burley Lieut. P. Morris J. Kelly G. R. Everson Jr. G. M. Loudon J. . . . — — Map (db m95886) WM
The Three Sisters played an important part in the development of the early colonies.
The Three Sisters originate from Native American legend. According to the legend, CORN, BEANS, and SQUASH are three inseparable sisters that can only grow . . . — — Map (db m226846) HM
These two track cars were used for two different purposes. The Grey Brookville Locomotive, No. 2681, was built in 1941 and served at a clay quarry at Massilon, Ohio. It had a 60 HP Ford V-8 engine, it was retired in 1961. The Yellow Conrail car, No. . . . — — Map (db m135582) HM
This 1870s view of Horseshoe Curve looks north past the rubble-strewn trackside area where you are standing, to show a coal hopper and a track along the hillside. These are evidence of coal mining activity along Kittanning Run. The shanty in the . . . — — Map (db m55541) HM
U.V.L. Composed of Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, of the Union Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. during the War of the Rebellion who volunteered prior to the First of July 1863, for a term of three years, and were honorably discharged for . . . — — Map (db m176181) WM
In honor of
S/Sgt. Robert E. Laws C.M.H.
Dedicated to the men and women who honorably served their country...
World War I Veterans
American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Disabled American Veterans
Society of 28 Division . . . — — Map (db m135606) WM
This memorial is dedicated to the Altoona service men & women who have paid the ultimate price for our country
[Plaques with names listed under with specific wars mentioned from left to right:]
World War I
Korean War
World . . . — — Map (db m135589) WM
Dedicated to the men
and women of Blair
and Bedford Counties
who have served their
country in the Armed
Forces of the United
States of America
[Additional plaque on another side of the memorial]
This memorial is . . . — — Map (db m135610) WM
Two groups of veterans who had served in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and China merged into the American Veterans of Foreign Service on September 13 - 15, 1905, at the Eastside Theatre in Altoona. The new group was a forerunner of the V. F. W. . . . — — Map (db m135605) HM
Caption of drawing at top left The GE P42DC produced by General Electric Transportation Systems.
Caption of drawing at top right Norfolk Southern SD40-Es usually come up in pairs. And often on both ends of long freight trains . . . — — Map (db m55540) HM
William Nesbit lived with his wife Sarah and children on 10th Avenue in Altoona. He was president of the State Equal Rights League, which helped secure passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments.
In his travels, he met leading black men of the . . . — — Map (db m181627) HM
