Altoona

Altoona is a city at the base of Brush Mountain in Blair County, Pennsylvania, sitting between Logan Valley and Pleasant Valley. The city spreads across several hills and valleys with neighborhoods of row houses and brick buildings.

The Pennsylvania Railroad founded the city in 1849 and developed it into a major rail hub that drove the industrial growth of the region. The railroad shops and yards employed thousands of workers over the decades and shaped the economic structure of the city.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament stands as a central religious landmark, serving as one of two primary locations for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

The city lies along major highways in central Pennsylvania and is accessible from Pittsburgh and Harrisburg via regional roads. Visitors can find parking downtown and explore main attractions on foot or by car.

The Horseshoe Curve, a railroad curve in the mountains west of the city, was a target for saboteurs during World War II because of its importance for freight transport. The curve allowed trains to climb a steep grade without using a cog railway.

Location: Blair County

Inception: 1849

Elevation above the sea: 368 m

Address: Altoona, PA, USA

Website: https://altoonapa.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.51936,-78.39683

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:38