Links to the Past . . .

Central Pennsylvania and Blair County boast a multitude of rich historical and cultural attractions to enjoy and learn from.  Ranging from colonial, industrial, military, and social history, this vast array of sites and resources is a cherished commodity among citizens of the area and beyond.  We hope you will come visit our region and enjoy its many treasures.

Regional Historical Attractions:
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site – Our local national park!
Alto Model Trail Museum – A large display featuring a number of class model trains.
Altoona Association of Model Railroaders – A fantastic display to be enjoyed by all.
Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum – Local museum dedicated to the PRR.
Baker Mansion – One of the oldest and grandest homes in the region, built in 1849.
Canal Basin Park – Museum and playground in Hollidaysburg’s former canal district.
Canoe Creek State Park – Natural park that was also the site of old lime kilns.
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park – A popular park in continuous operation since 1946.
Explore Altoona – The convention and visitor’s bureau for Blair County.
Fort Roberdeau Historic Site – Reconstructed 1777 Revolutionary War fort.
Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark – An 1854 engineering marvel.
Indian Caverns – A mythical local cavern, open for tours since 1929.
Keirn Family WWII Museum - A wonderful attraction at St. Francis University.
Lakemont Park – Opened in 1894, site of the world’s oldest wooden roller coaster.
Old Bedford Village – A wonderfully reconstructed historical community.
Penn State Altoona Film Series – Enjoy free cinema on select Sundays!
Pennsylvania State Historical Markers in Blair County
Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania – Walk or bike in the footsteps of our old rails.
Royer Mansion – One of the finest antebellum homes in the region.
Quaint Corner Children’s Discovery Center – An interactive children’s museum.
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art – Featuring wonderful artistic collections.
Tyrone History Museum – Located in the town’s historic train station.
The Wall That Heals – Scale recreation of the Vietnam War Memorial.

Regional History Websites & Resources:
Altoona Downtown Walking Tour PDF
Altoona, Pennsylvania Historical Marker
Altoona Works – A rich historical resource of the railroad in the city.
Blair County Civil War Soldiers – A partial list of local soldiers, 1861-1865.
Blair County Genealogy – A wide array of local historical sources.
The Blair County Genealogy Project
Bellwood-Antis photos of the Altoona Speedway
Bill Pennsy’s Railroad Photographs – An amazing visual resource!
Canal Basin Historical Marker – Placed in historic Hollidaysburg.
Charles Mishler Historical Marker
Claysburg, PA History – Guide to local sites around southern Blair County.
Early Settlement of Antis Township - Article discussing the founding of Bellwood.
Firebase Eagle – Proposed Altoona museum dedicated to Vietnam War.
Genealogy of Blair County – Compilation of census, bible, and cemetery records.
The Great American Stations – The Tyrone, PA Train Station.
Greater Pennsylvania Military Preservation Association, Inc. – Living History group.
Harold Ickes WPA Historical Marker – Learn about one of FDR’s top men!
Harold Ickes WWII Historical Marker
History of Altoona, Pennsylvania – What made this town?  Find out here.
History of Amtran – Regional transit history.
History of Baseball in Altoona – From the Society for American Baseball Research.
History of Boyer Candy in Altoona
History of Bellwood, Pennsylvania
History of the City of Altoona and Blair County – Online book.
History of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
History of Gardners Candies in Tyrone, PA
History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties – Online Publication.
History of Morrisons Cove in Blair County
History of Plummer’s Hollow
History of the Sheetz Corporation – A Blair County proud company!
History of the Slinky Toy – Made in Blair County for many years.
A History of the Wopsononock Railroad and Resort
Hollidaysburg Canal Basin History – The National Park Service.
Horseshoe Curve: A Vital Link – Teacher Lesson Plan.
Leap-The-Dips Roller Coaster Historical Marker – Read all about this iconic ride.
Library of Congress – Blair County photo, blueprint, and map resources.
Local History Resources – From the Altoona Area Public Library.
Logan House Hotel Historical Marker – Learn about the former gem of Altoona.
Logan Township History – Historical synopsis beginning in the 1740s.
Mayors of Altoona, Pennsylvania – From the Political Graveyard.
Operation Pastorius – The failed attempt of Nazi saboteurs to infiltrate the area.
Penn State Altoona Historical Synopsis – Discover the story of the campus.
Pennsylvania Civil War Trails – Follow the footsteps of the 1860s!
Pennsylvania Railroad Shops Historical Marker
Pennsylvania Stories – From the PA Historical and Museum Commission.
The Railroad in Pennsylvania – Timeline, documents, and history.
Right Place at the Right Time – Altoona history teacher lesson plan.
Roaring Spring Historical Society – Includes the Roaring Spring train station.
Soldiers of Blair County – Online book by Floyd Hoenstine with lists from 1776-1940.
Twentieth Century History of Altoona and Blair County – 1911 online book.
Vaudeville in Altoona – Altoona Mirror article.
Veteran Monuments in Blair County – Pennsylvania National Guard Museum.
War Governors’ Conference Historical Marker – An important event of the Civil War.
Veterans of Blair County – A marvelous compilation of local service members.

Educational & Cultural Institutions:
46th PA Regimental Band – Local unit of Civil War reenactors.
African American Heritage Project of Blair County
Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area – Heritage corridor across central Pennsylvania.
Altoona Community Theatre – Regional organization of actors.
Altoona Curve Baseball - Affiliate team of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Altoona Mirror – Longstanding local newspaper.
Altoona Symphony Orchestra – Sharing music since 1906.
Arts Altoona - A local arts and cultural outreach network.
Bellwood-Antis Historical Society – Dedicated to history of Antis Township.
Blair County Arts Foundation & The Mishler Theatre – Historic theater and plays.
Blair County Courthouse – Historic 1890s structure, site of various memorials.
Blair County Chamber of Commerce – A pillar institution since the early 1900s.
Blair County Genealogical Society – Excellent archive of primary resource materials.
Hollidaysburg Community Partnership
I Love Altoona – Bask in some true community pride!
Jaffa Shrine – Arena, philanthropic organization, and site of much county history.
James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
List of Blair County Schools
Mt. Aloysius College – Catholic college founded in 1853.
Penn State Altoona – Established in 1939, the largest of PSU campuses.
Penn State Altoona History Department – The proud provider of many BCHS interns!
Tyrone Area Historical Society – Dedicated to northern Blair County history.
Tyrone Community Players History
Tyrone’s The Daily Herald – Offering the best news in northern Blair County.
Tyrone Milling Company History
St. Francis University – Franciscan college founded in 1847.
Women’s Club of Altoona – One of the leading civic clubs of the area.

Libraries with Historical Resources:
Altoona Area Public Library
Bellwood-Antis Public Library
Blair County Genealogical Society
Claysburg Library
Hollidaysburg Area Public Library
Martinsburg Community Library
Tyrone-Snyder Public Library
Williamsburg Public Library

Do you have or know of a local history website that is not included on the list above?
If so, please feel free to email us your suggestions. Thank you!

The Blair County Historical Society

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

Horseshoe Curve National Historical Landmark

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Canal Basin Park

Lakemont Park

The Wall That Heals

The Furious Fourth WWII Reenactors

Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum

Fort Roberdeau Historic Site

The Logan Guard Civil War Reenactors

Altoona Curve Baseball

DelGrosso's Amusement Park

Penn State Altoona

Altoona Railroad Excursion