Altoona, Pennsylvania

Altoona is a city located in Blair County, Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 49,523.

History

A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a construction complex. It was incorporated as a borough in 1854. The town grew rapidly in the late 19th century, its population approximately 2,000 in '54, 10,000 in '70, and 20,000 in '80.

Related Topics:
Railroad - Pennsylvania Railroad - 1849 - Borough - 1854 - 19th century - '70 - '80

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The demand for locomotives during the Civil War stimulated much of this growth, and by the later years of the war Altoona was known as a valuable city for the North. It was considered by Confederate General Robert E. Lee as a target during the Army of Northern Virginia's mid-1863 entry into Pennsylvania, before being repelled at the Battle of Gettysburg. Also notable is the Union's War Governors' Conference, held at Altoona's Logan House.

Related Topics:
Locomotive - Civil War - Confederate - Robert E. Lee - Army of Northern Virginia - 1863 - Battle of Gettysburg - War Governors' Conference

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Notable is the Horseshoe Curve, a famous curved section of track owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad, now a tourist attraction and National Historic Landmark, and its funicular. The Curve was used to raise trains to a sufficient altitude to cross the Allegheny Ridge to the west, beyond which was the steel town of Pittsburgh and the rest of the western United States. The Horseshoe Curve, because of it being the industrial link to the western U.S., was a primary target of eight Nazi saboteurs whom infiltrated the United States early in the war (1942) by being dropped off by Kriegsmarine U-Boats. These spies were of German heritage and were chosen because of their having lived in the U.S. for so long. The group's leader became unnerved by the plot to destroy military and civilian targets (especially Jewish businesses) and turned in everyone in his team. He was the only one to escape execution. The team would arguably have succeeded (or caused considerable damage) had he not turned them in, for the FBI had clues given to them by a Coast Guard watchman, but had no leads and no suspects early on.

Related Topics:
Horseshoe Curve - Tourist - National Historic Landmark - Funicular - Altitude - Allegheny Ridge - Steel - Pittsburgh - United States - Nazi - Saboteurs - 1942 - Kriegsmarine - U-Boat - German - Military - Civilian - Jewish - Execution - FBI - Coast Guard

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In the early 20th century, the Railroad's Altoona Works complex employed at its peak some 15,000 people and covered three miles (5 km) in length, 218 acres (880,000 m²) of yards and 37 acres (150,000 m²) of indoor workshop floor space in 122 buildings. The PRR built many of its own locomotives at the Works, some 7,873 in all, the last being constructed in 1946. Things began to decline steadily from that point, and most of the plant is now long gone.

Related Topics:
20th century - Altoona Works

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Altoona is also one of the dual seats of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown as the location of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, which was made a cathedral and rechristened from St. John's Church in 1851.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic - Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown - Cathedral - 1851

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In 2000, Altoona became sister cities with St. Pölten, Austria.

Related Topics:
2000 - St. Pölten - Austria

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