Altoona Works (also known as Altoona Terminal ) is a large railroad industrial complex in Altoona, Pennsylvania . It was built between 1850 and 1925 by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), to supply the railroad with locomotives , railroad cars and related equipment. For many years, it was the largest railroad shop complex in the world.
58-506: In 1849, PRR officials developed plans to construct a repair facility at a town newly established for this purpose, Altoona . Construction was started in 1850, and soon a long building was completed in the 12th Street area that housed a machine shop , woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, locomotive repair shop and foundry . The 12th Street area facilities were replaced later by the Altoona Machine Shops. The first locomotive
116-774: A 1992 Pittsburgh Steeler intrasquad scrimmage, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference men's and women's college soccer championships, University of Pittsburgh preseason football practices and the 1995 PIAA Soccer Championships. Musical events have included the Beach Boys , Up With People , the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Penn State Blue Band , the Ohio State Pride of
174-722: A City was the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). While the various local railroad shops still employ over a thousand people, they are no longer the driving economic engine of the area like they once were. The top field of employment in Altoona and the metro area is the healthcare industry. Facilities include: UPMC Altoona with its many local facilities that employ thousands, Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital and its several local facilities, James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center , dozens of doctors offices, and over 20 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Altoona serves as
232-757: A Colonel Beverly Mayer of Columbia, Pennsylvania , a civil engineer of the Pennsylvania Central Railway, as the person who named Altoona after the city of Altona in the Duchy of Holstein , which became part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1864 and of Germany in 1871. The German Altona, which is today a district of Hamburg , lies on the right bank of the Elbe and is an important railway and manufacturing center. In 1849, David Robinson sold his farm to Archibald Wright of Philadelphia , who transferred
290-496: A campus located on 58th Street. Altoona is served by the daily Altoona Mirror , which has been in print since 1874. Juniata Shops Altoona Works (also known as Altoona Terminal ) is a large railroad industrial complex in Altoona, Pennsylvania . It was built between 1850 and 1925 by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), to supply the railroad with locomotives , railroad cars and related equipment. For many years, it
348-513: Is common for areas within Logantown and Center City to be expressed locally as "downtown". The Texas Hot Dog was originally created in downtown Altoona in 1918, although the Paterson, New Jersey , Texas Hot Dog location, which opened in 1924, is more famous. The commercial core of the downtown includes many multistory residential, commercial, and mixed-use facilities designed at the turn of
406-676: Is greatest in September and least in February. As of the 2010 census, the city was 93.8% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 2.0% were two or more races. 1.3% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. The 2000 Census reported the following predominate ancestry/ethnicities: German (35%), Irish (17%), Italian (12%), English (7%), Polish (4%), Black or African American (2%), Dutch (2%), Scotch-Irish (2%), French (2%), Scottish (1%), Pennsylvania German (1%), Welsh (1%), Swedish (1%), Slovak (1%). As of
464-534: Is located next to the Juniata Shops on the site of the Altoona Machine Shops. Altoona, Pennsylvania Altoona is a city in Blair County, Pennsylvania , United States. The population was 43,963 at the time of the 2020 census . It is the principal city of the Altoona metropolitan area , which includes all of Blair County and was recorded as having a population of 122,822 in 2020. Altoona
522-407: Is one of the private parochial schools serving grades 9–12. Great Commission Schools is the second private parochial school having grades K–12. Altoona Area High School houses grades 10–12. Altoona High is much larger than Bishop Guilfoyle, graduating around 500 students annually, while Guilfoyle graduates around 70. D.S. Keith Junior High and Theodore Roosevelt Junior High merged in 2008 to become
580-474: Is the linchpin of the Tri-City Region. Its location along I-99 draws from a large trade area over a wide geographic area that extends to State College and Johnstown and over 40 miles (64 km) south along I-99 past I-70 . Altoona draws the retail customers into the region due to its centralized location. Retail areas include: As is typical in many Rust Belt cities, the economic downturn of
638-641: The Eastern League at Peoples Natural Gas Field . In the early 20th century, the Pennsylvania Railroad constructed a large sports complex at the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Seventh Street. It was named Cricket Field in an attempt to appeal to Cricket -loving British investors . Cricket did not catch on with the Altoona populace, so its close relative baseball became the choice for Cricket Field. Well known baseball players as Babe Ruth and Josh Gibson played at Cricket Field, and
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#1732797463949696-714: The Henrietta and Millerstown area. A 17-year-old girl was injured in Henrietta. The damage done by these tornadoes is consistent with winds of 105–110 miles per hour (169–177 km/h). A map made by Ted Fujita in 1974 of all of the tornadoes in the U.S. between 1930 and 1974 shows these two tornadoes mapped as F1 tornadoes on the Fujita Scale . Altoona is one of the dual seats of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown . The Cathedral of
754-978: The Horseshoe Curve , the Railroaders Memorial Museum , the Juniata Shops of the Altoona Works , the Mishler Theatre , the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament , and the Jaffa Shrine Center . One explanation of the city's name is that the word Altoona is a derivative of the Latin word altus , meaning high. That explanation is contradicted by Pennsylvania Place Names. One history named
812-1138: The Leap-The-Dips , located in Lakemont Park . Altoona lies at the base of Brush Mountain within Logan Valley and Pleasant Valley. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.4 km ), all land. Altoona is situated in the Allegheny Mountains . The main sections of Altoona are Downtown Altoona, Center City, Logantown, Fairview, Juniata, Wehnwood, Calvert Hills, 5th Ward, Westmont, Eldorado, East End, Dutch Hill, Pleasant Valley, Hileman Heights, 6th Ward, Mansion Park, Llyswen, Garden Heights, and Highland Park. Some significant neighborhoods are Little Italy, Gospel Hill, Toy Town, Columbia Park, Knickerbockers, and Curtin. Some areas within Logan Township, outside
870-532: The census of 2000, there were 49,523 people, 20,059 households, and 12,576 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,069.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,957.4/km ). There were 21,681 housing units at an average density of 2,219.5 per square mile (857.0/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 96.01% White , 2.49% African American , 0.10% Native American , 0.32% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.24% from other races , and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of
928-486: The movie of the same name . Prior to European settlement, the Altoona area was inhabited by the Iroquois Confederacy . Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in 1849 as the site for a shop and maintenance complex. 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. In late September 1862, Altoona
986-409: The 1920s, claiming the lives of Howdy Wilcox (1919 winner) on September 4, 1923; Joe Boyer (1924 winner) on September 2, 1923; and Ray Keech (1929 winner) on June 15, 1929. Altoona Area School District 's Mansion Park Stadium fields sporting events for both its constituents schools, Bishop Guilfoyle High School and various amateur athletic district events. Mansion Park has also been the site of
1044-515: The 2014–15 school year. Altoona also has several technical schools. The Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center (GACTC) is located on 16th Street next to the high school and offers a variety of technical classes for both Junior High and High School students throughout Blair County, as well as high school graduates seeking a technical degree. YTI Career Institute has a campus in Logan Hills on Fairway Drive. South Hills Business School has
1102-664: The 20th century in a mix of Victorian , Edwardian Baroque , and Neo-Romanesque styles. This style features high ceilings, resulting in taller buildings than is typical for the number of floors. The high ceilings are typically made of either tin or plaster , although sometimes a drop ceiling is utilized. Individual homes originally provided housing to managers and executives of the PRR and have structural similarities to Victorian or Edwardian mansions, but built very narrow and tall. These are sometimes used as double or triple family apartments or even converted into commercial space. Outside of
1160-737: The Altoona Area Junior High School. Roosevelt was torn down and the ground on which it stood was constructed into the new field for the new junior high. D. S. Keith was turned into residential apartments. Altoona is the location of the Pennsylvania State University , Ivyside Park campus, also known as Penn State Altoona . This is the third largest of the Pennsylvania State University Commonwealth campuses . The college has approximately 3,903 students as of
1218-530: The Altoona Machine Shops. The first locomotive was built there in 1866. A total of 6,783 steam , diesel and electric locomotives were manufactured in Altoona between 1866 and 1946. In time, additional PRR repair facilities were located in Harrisburg , Pittsburgh , Renovo and Mifflin , and the Altoona Works expanded in adjacent Juniata . Inventor Alexander Graham Bell sent two assistants to
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#17327974639491276-458: The Altoona Works started a testing department for PRR equipment. In following years, the Pennsylvania Railroad led the nation in the development of research and testing procedures of practical value for the railroad industry. In 1905, a Stationary Testing Plant was installed at Altoona, after originally being installed and used for locomotive testing in 1904, as one of the PRR System exhibits at
1334-469: The Altoona shops in 1875 to study the feasibility of installing telephone lines. In 1875, the Altoona Works started a testing department for PRR equipment. In following years, the Pennsylvania Railroad led the nation in the development of research and testing procedures of practical value for the railroad industry. In 1905, a Stationary Testing Plant was installed at Altoona, after originally being installed and used for locomotive testing in 1904, as one of
1392-429: The Blessed Sacrament was made a cathedral and rechristened from St. John's Church in 1851. The Altoona Mirror newspaper, founded in 1876 by Harry Slep, is Altoona's oldest media outlet. Today, the newspaper has a daily circulation of 32,000 and a Sunday circulation of 39,000. Approximately 13,000 people read the online edition of the newspaper each day. Altoona is home to the world's oldest wooden roller coaster,
1450-766: The Blue Lot near the Wolf Court Building has improved the economic attraction of downtown by offering up to three hours of free parking. A bike path connecting the Campus to Downtown Altoona has also been built. The city is home to the Altoona Curve , a Minor League Baseball franchise. The Curve began play in 1999 and are the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates . The team plays in
1508-723: The Buckeyes Band, the University of Notre Dame Band of the Fighting Irish , the University of Illinois Marching Illini and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Marching Band In early 2010, a new scoreboard featuring a video display board with an improved stadium sound system was erected thanks to the generosity of local sponsors. Altoona has an education system that contains three high schools, two parochial, one public. Bishop Guilfoyle High School
1566-645: The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, and Eleventh Avenue itself. Altoona has several notable churches, including the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at the corner of 13th Street and 13th Avenue, the building on the corner of 12th Street and 14th Avenue that used to house the First Presbyterian Church, and the First Lutheran Church on the corner of 14th Street and 12th Avenue. The Station Medical Center, formerly known as
1624-526: The Cherokee derivation, stating that "Its name is not derived from the Latin word altus nor from the French word alto, as has frequently been asserted and published, but from the beautiful, liquid, and expressive Cherokee word Allatoona." For 60 days in 2011, the city officially changed its name to "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" in exchange for $ 25,000 as part of a marketing gimmick for
1682-545: The Kazmaier Family Building. Recently Sheetz has added another building to Penn State Altoona called The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence on the former site of a department store behind the Amtrak Station. The university provides a flow of resources into the downtown, aiding in revitalization efforts. As an example of the university's value to the downtown's economy, the installation of
1740-599: The Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. Locomotives tested on the plant included T1 4-4-4-4 No.6110 and Baldwin No. 60,000 Use of the testing facilities was discontinued in 1968, and many of the structures were demolished. In May 1877, telephone lines were installed for various departments to communicate with one another. In the 1920s, the site consisted of 125 buildings on 218 acres (0.88 km), and
1798-451: The PRR System exhibits at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. Locomotives tested on the plant included T1 4-4-4-4 No.6110 and Baldwin No. 60,000 Use of the testing facilities was discontinued in 1968, and many of the structures were demolished. In May 1877, telephone lines were installed for various departments to communicate with one another. In the 1920s, the site consisted of 125 buildings on 218 acres (0.88 km ), and
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1856-651: The Pennsylvania Railroad, located at MP 242 on the NS Pittsburgh line, has become a tourist attraction and National Historic Landmark . The curve was built to help trains cross the Allegheny Ridge, a barrier to westward trade. Construction of the Erie Canal in New York 20 years earlier had diverted much port traffic from Philadelphia to New York City, feeding that city's commercial dominance. Because
1914-583: The Station Mall, was a downtown mall built during the 1970s in place of many old railroad shops. The downtown contains most of what is known as Altoona's Little Italy district. Because of the geography of the area, exact or natural boundaries for Downtown are not present. Therefore, Downtown is generally defined by what the city has zoned as Central Business: between 13th Avenue and the PRR Expressway, and from 7th Street to 16th Street. However, it
1972-1096: The United States through the Section of Painting and Sculpture , later called the Section of Fine Arts , of the Treasury Department . Under the Köppen climate classification , Altoona falls within either a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) if the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm is used or a humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) if the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is used. Summers are hot and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 28.4 °F (−2.0 °C) in January to 72.4 °F (22.4 °C) in July, although extremes in temperature have ranged from −25 °F (−32 °C) in 1904 to 103 °F (39 °C) in 2011. Total precipitation
2030-531: The Works, the last in 1946. PRR shaped the city, creating the city's fire departments and moving the hospital to a site nearer to the shop's gates. Today, the fire department employs 65 people and is the largest career department between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. PRR sponsored a city band and constructed Cricket Field, a sports complex. In 1853, the PRR built the Mechanic's Library, the first industrial library in
2088-404: The average family size was 2.98. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males. The median income for a household in the city
2146-410: The city limits but still considered sections of Altoona, are Lakemont , Greenwood , Bellmeade, Westfall, Newburg , and Red Hill . Many of the older districts consist of a mix of rowhouses and individual homes, which were a common building style in railroad towns so-as to provide for worker and manager housing, respectively. The downtown is the cultural and commercial center of Altoona and straddles
2204-521: The commercial core is a mosaic of multistory commercial structures, mixed-use facilities, single story commercial structures, apartment buildings, multi-unit housing, and single-family homes. The U.S. post office in Altoona contains two oil-on-canvas WPA-commissioned murals painted by Lorin Thompson in 1938, titled Pioneers of Altoona and Growth of the Road . Murals were produced from 1934 to 1943 in
2262-517: The corporate home to Sheetz , a rapidly growing convenience store and gasoline chain with over 600 locations in the Northeast. Altoona also serves as the headquarters to the candy company Boyer . Famous for their Mallo Cup , the company was founded in 1936, 42 years after the founding of The Hershey Company in Hershey . Another massive employer is the retail and service industries. Altoona
2320-547: The curve was an industrial link to the western United States, Horseshoe Curve was a primary target of eight Nazi saboteurs who had landed during World War II from U-boats of Nazi Germany 's Kriegsmarine during Operation Pastorius . At its peak in the early 20th century, PRR's Altoona Works complex employed about 15,000 people and covered three miles (5 km) in length, 218 acres (88 ha) of yards and 37 acres (15 ha) of indoor workshop floor space in 122 buildings. The PRR built 7,873 of its own locomotives at
2378-755: The famous railroads. As is typical to a traditional city layout, the downtown is centrally located and contains significant development in all directions. Much of the area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Downtown Altoona Historic District . Popular landmarks include the Mishler Theatre , the Penn Alto Building (formerly the Penn Alto Hotel), the Gable's Building, City Hall,
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2436-595: The nation, which exists today as the Altoona Area Public Library. With the decline in railroad demand after World War II, things began to decline. Many treasures of the city's history disappeared, including the Logan House Hotel and railroad shops. Horseshoe Curve is a popular tourist attraction, particularly for train aficionados. There is a funicular that takes visitors to a viewing area, or it can be reached by climbing 194 steps to
2494-410: The population. There were 20,059 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and
2552-560: The presence of more pedestrian bridges and underpasses across the railroad tracks (connecting the two parts of downtown) than automobile crossings. Penn State Altoona has bought several downtown buildings, including the former Playhouse Theater building, the six-story Penn Furniture building, and the former WRTA building. The university has turned them into the Devorris Downtown Center, the Aaron Building and
2610-470: The property to his son, John A. Wright, who laid it out in building lots, became one of the founders of Altoona, and is considered another person who may have named the city. According to his own statement, he had spent considerable time in the Cherokee country of Georgia . Here he had been attracted to the name Allatoona , which he believed meant "the high lands of great worth." An 1883 publication favored
2668-470: The railroad resulted in the closure of many of the downtown's landmark stores and industries. The simultaneous rise in prominence of the automobile shifted commercial development to the suburbs of Altoona. However, through recent revitalization efforts, Altoona's downtown maintains a significant level of economic vitality and hosts few office and residential vacancies. The downtown maintains a significant focus on pedestrian-oriented development , as evidenced by
2726-581: The shops employed over 16,000 workers. Portions of the complex are still in use by Norfolk Southern Railway (NS). During World War II, PRR facilities (including the Altoona Shops) were on target lists of German saboteurs involved in Operation Pastorius . They were caught before they could complete their missions. By 1945, the Altoona Works had grown to be one of the largest repair and construction facilities for locomotives and cars in
2784-445: The shops employed over 16,000 workers. Portions of the complex are still in use by Norfolk Southern Railway (NS). During World War II, PRR facilities (including the Altoona Shops) were on target lists of German saboteurs involved in Operation Pastorius . They were caught before they could complete their missions. By 1945, the Altoona Works had grown to be one of the largest repair and construction facilities for locomotives and cars in
2842-443: The stadium was also the venue for numerous other sporting events, musical competitions, marching units, and activities. A commercial plaza and the Pennsylvania State Parole & Probation stands today on the site of the former Cricket Field. Altoona was the site of a 1.25-mile (2.01 km) board track called Altoona Speedway from 1923 to 1931. The track was the site of the fatal injuries of three Indianapolis 500 winners during
2900-576: The top. On May 22, 1949, at about 6 pm, a tornado moved through the southern part of Altoona. According to the Altoona Mirror , the tornado touched down near Sugar Run Road in the Canan Station area of Allegheny Township and cut a 100-yard (91 m) swath of destruction through the southwestern portion of Altoona. Houses lost shingles and there was extensive tree damage in the Eldorado and Llyswen sections of town. Another tornado touched down in Morrisons Cove , 20 miles (32 km) south of Altoona. Houses were unroofed and barns were destroyed in
2958-424: The war, Altoona was known as a valuable city for the North. Altoona was also the site of the first Interstate Commission meeting to create and design the Gettysburg National Cemetery following the devastating Battle of Gettysburg . The centrality and convenience of the town's rail transportation brought these two important gatherings to the city during the war. Horseshoe Curve , a curved section of track built by
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#17327974639493016-471: The world. In 2019, the shops employed nearly 700 employees. After a series of layoffs between 2019 and 2021, NS reduced the staff at the Juniata locomotive shop to about 450 employees. The mass layoffs began on November 7, 2019 (95 employees) again in May 2019 (50 employees) and another round in July 2021 (86 employees) reduced the workforce in Altoona by nearly 36% as part of Norfolk Southern's new long-term business plan. The Railroaders Memorial Museum
3074-467: The world. In 2019, the shops employed nearly 700 employees. After a series of layoffs between 2019 and 2021, NS reduced the staff at the Juniata locomotive shop to about 450 employees. The mass layoffs began on November 7, 2019 (95 employees) again in May 2019 (50 employees) and another round in July 2021 (86 employees) reduced the workforce in Altoona by nearly 36% as part of Norfolk Southern's new long-term business plan. The Railroaders Memorial Museum
3132-405: Was $ 28,248, and the median income for a family was $ 36,758. Males had a median income of $ 28,851 versus $ 21,242 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 15,213. About 12.9% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over. Historically, the sole economic force driving the growth of Altoona into
3190-455: Was built there in 1866. A total of 6,783 steam , diesel and electric locomotives were manufactured in Altoona between 1866 and 1946. In time, additional PRR repair facilities were located in Harrisburg , Pittsburgh , Renovo and Mifflin , and the Altoona Works expanded in adjacent Juniata . Inventor Alexander Graham Bell sent two assistants to the Altoona shops in 1875 to study the feasibility of installing telephone lines. In 1875,
3248-527: Was established in 1849 by the Pennsylvania Railroad . Having grown around the railroad industry, the city has worked to recover from industrial decline and urban decentralization experienced in recent decades. The city is home to the Altoona Curve baseball team of the Eastern League , which is the AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team. They play at Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona. The Altoona Symphony Orchestra has called Altoona home since 1928. Prominent landmarks include
3306-400: Was home to the War Governors' Conference which brought together 13 governors of Union states. This body gave early approval to the Emancipation Proclamation . The town grew rapidly in the late 19th century, its population approximately 2,000 in 1854, 10,000 in 1870, and 20,000 in 1880. The demand for locomotives during the Civil War stimulated much of this growth, and by the later years of
3364-439: Was the largest railroad shop complex in the world. In 1849, PRR officials developed plans to construct a repair facility at a town newly established for this purpose, Altoona . Construction was started in 1850, and soon a long building was completed in the 12th Street area that housed a machine shop , woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, locomotive repair shop and foundry . The 12th Street area facilities were replaced later by
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