USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > A history of Blair county, Pennsylvania. From its earliest settlement, and more particularly from its organization, in 1846 to June 1896 > Part 5
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St. John's Roman Catholic Church and Convent, from corner Thirteenth Avenue and Thirteenth Street, Altoona, Pa,
Soldiers' Monument, Fairview Cemetery, Altoona, Pa. Erected in 1867,
High School Building, Seventh Avenue between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets, Altoona, Pa.
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Wopsononock Resort Hotel, on the Summit of Wopsononock Mountain, Six Miles from Altoona, on the Altoona, Clearfield and Northern Railroad.
Blair County Court House, Cor. Allegheny and Union Streets, Hollidaysburg, Pa. Erected at a Cost of $110.000. Dedicated July 2d, 1877.
Electric Light.
Modern Conveniences.
Hot Water Heat. Reasonable Rates.
JAS. W. GROMILLER,
PROPRIETOR, UNITED STATES HOTEL, Wayne and Juniata Streets, Hollidaysburg, Pa.
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JUNIATA RIVER ES
Point View. on the Juniata River 10 Miles Fast of Hallidayshure 18 Miles his Rail from Altmann
Altoona Members of the Blair County Bar Association and Judge Bell, taken in front of the Court House, March, 1896.
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BLE & CO. DAYLIGHT ARTMENT
Eleventh Avenue from Fourteenth Street, Looking East to Eleventh Street, Altoona, Pa.
Scenes at Horse Shoe Bend, on Pennsylvania Railroad at Kittanning Point, Six Miles West of Altoona.
* BROAP ·· AVE .··· · ·
· PRESBYERIAN ·· CMURCM .
· ALTOONA · · PA ·
. REV.M.N CAMPBELL PASTOR
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" .ROBINSON Q.CROCKETT. . ARCHITECTS
Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church, corner Broad Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street, Altoona, Pa. Robinson & Crockett, Architects.)
WESTMONT
300 CHOME LOT- $200 TO $500.
View of Westmont, a Suburb of Altoona. Looking Southeast From Main Line of Pennsylvania Railroad.
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J.MANZ. B. EnISHI.
Observatory at Lookout, Wopsononock, on the A., C. & N. R. R., 4 Miles from Altoona in a direct line.
Masonic Temple, cor. Eleventh Street and Twelfth Avenue,
General George Potts, First Mayor of Altoona.
BEEZER BRES. ARCHITECTS.
One of Beezer Bros.' Cottages, Llyswen, on A. & L. V. R. R., One and a Half Miles from Altoona.
Fourth Ward School House and High School Building, corner of Seventh Avenue and Fifteenth Street,
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Timmen
FEMALE DOGS TRI-
Dormitorrifat
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MALE DEPARTMENT
PLANS Y FIRST STORY
PIANO Y SECOND STORY
STEWARDS RESIDENCE
David Kinch. S. J. Breth.
W. T. Howard. Thos. Hurd.
Theo. Burchfield. C. J. Mann.
D. A. Gilland. E. H. Turner.
Ex-Mayors of Altoona City.
TYRONE AND ALTOONA BUSINESS CARDS.
Farm right for best ad- justable Farm Gate and pat- ent Spiral Spring Fence. Gates and Fence material for Sale Agents wanted.
E. R. BRINDLE, 139 Fourteenth Street, Tyrone, Pa.
G. H. BURLEY, Pres. JOSHUA BURLEY, Sec'y.
Tyrone Plumbing, Heating and Supply Company.
Steam and Hot Water Heating a Specialty. Estimates on Steam and Water Heating given on short notice. Our new pat- ent Heater ready for the market. 2123 West Eleventh Street.
STORE
Box
4 ×6 GROCERY
O, say ! Do you think we can hold it down ? We are going to try. Our goods are first-class and we sell cheaper than any store in the city. All we ask is an investi- gation.
Store Box 4x6 Grocery. TYRONE, PA.
A. A. SMITH & SON Established in 1872.
The Old Reliable Grocery. 22 West Tenth Street, Tyrone, Pa.
M. A. GREEN, CONTRACTOR and CONSULTING ENGINEER.
Office, Room No. 13 Masonic Temple, Altoona, Pa. Automatic Engines, Boilers, Heaters, Complete Electric and Power Plants, Mine Supplies, Haulage and Hoisting Engines, Wire Rope, Sheaves, Pumps, etc.
EIGHTH WARD HOTEL,
GEO. B. McMAHAN, Proprietor, 600, 602 and 604 Seventh Avenue, Altoona, Pa.
G. C. ROBB,
SURGEON DERTIST.
Rooms No. 214-215 Mateer Building, Eleventlı Avenue, Altoona, Pa. -
ALTOONA BUSINESS CARTA.
A. M. Krick. Manufacturer and Wholesale and Retail Duale in Confections and Ice Cream, 1118 Twelfth street, Altoona, Pa.
1. A. Johnson. Tin Roofing, Spouting, Heavy Sheet Iron Work and Hot Air Furnaces, 1218 Eighth avenue, Altoona, Pa.
E. D. Boate. East Side Tailor, 121612 Eighth avenue, Altoona, Pa.
Myers Bros .. Florists, Growers of First Class Flowers, Altoo- na and Eldorado, Pa.
J. L. Exline, Fancy Wall Paper, Paper Hanging and House Painting, 1202 Eighth avenue, Altoona, Pa.
J. E. Wallace. Cash Grocer,liberal discount on orders of $2.50 and upward, Corner Eighth avenue and Fourteenth street, Altoona, Pa.
Troy Laundry. Thomas Scrimger, Proprietor, 1314 Eighth avenue, also Green avenue and Eleventh street. Telephone Connections. Work done on short notice.
II. C. Myers. 1218 Eleventh street, Altoona, Pa. Plumbing, Gas and Steam Fitting.
Philadelphia Medicine Co .. 1211 Eleventh street. The original cut rate medicine store, Altoona, Pa.
Dr. J. W. Carter, Dentist. 17 Masonic Temple, Altoona, Pa.
Sherman House. 1406 Tenth avenue, Altoona, Pa. $1.25 to 2.00 per day. Thomas J. Burke, Proprietor.
D. W. Aiken. Agent for Gottschall Remedies, 704 First ave., Altoona, Pa.
Model Laundry, 1412 Tenth avenue, Altoona, Pa. Harry Otto, Proprietor. Branch, 1024 Green avenue.
J. A. Brown. News Dealer, Tobacco and Cigars. 806 Seventeenth street, Altoona, Pa.
M. A. Keough. dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Notions, Wood and Willowware. 1310 Thirteenthi st., Altoona, Pa.
E. E. Walls. 1008 Eighth avenue, Altoona, Pa. Fine Groce- ries, fresh Butter and Eggs always on hand.
HI. B. Mauk. 2020 Broad street. Shaving and Hair Dressing, Ambidextrously done.
G. W. Stiffler. Vegetable Gardens, home grown Vegetables in season, Lettuce a specialty, Eldorado, Pa.
ALTOONA BUSINESS CARDS.
R. S. Westbrook. Manufacturer and Shipper of Ice Cream. No. 1601 Eleventh avenne, Altoona, Pa.
Jacob J. Schell. Manager of Schell Transfer, moving of Safes and Pianos a Specialty, 126 Third avenue. Altoona, Pa.
J. W. Bloom. Shaving and Hair Dressing Parlors, 5021 Sixth avenue, Altoona, Pa.
William Glenncy. Plumber, Steam and Gas Fitter, Repair- ing Promptly Attended to, 140; Tenth street, Altoona, I'd.
E. R. C. Blackburn. Dentist, 13161 Eleventh avenue; res idence, 1404 Eighteenth street. Altoona, Pa.
S. G. Heverly. Blacksmith, Horse Shoeing a Specialty, 2320 Eighth avenue, Altoona, Pa.
T. W. Ofto. 924 Seventeenth street, Altoona, Pa., Furniture. All goods at rock-bottom prices.
J. D. Fay. Fancy and Imported Groceries, Calvert Block, Elev- enth street. Altoona, Pa.
Harry Banks. Barber, 1022 Chestnut avenue, Altoona, Pa.
(. S. Taylor. Druggist of 20 Years' Experience, 100 Lexington avenue, Altoona, Pa.
Altoona Dairy Co .. the Butter Market of Altoona, 1024 Green avenue, Altoona, Pa.
G. W. Benson. Barber, 1414 Tenth avenue, Altoona, Pa.
Shields Bottling Co .. 321 Seventh avenue, Altoona, Pa. Julius Burke, Proprietor.
W. S. Livingston. No 202 Chestnut avenue, Altoona, Pa . Butcher.
John MeAlarney. Shoemaker, Soy Seventeenth avenue, Al toona, Pa.
H. W. Miller. Barber, 2026 Eighth avenue, Altona Pa.
R. B. Vaughn. 2025 Eighth avenue, Altoona, Pa. General Merchandise.
George Breisacher. gos Eleventh avenue, Altona Pa. White Star Grocery and Produce Co)
Duke & Arthur. Liverymen, Si Green avenue. Altypya. P. Bell Telephone 1252. Phaniv Telephone 40%.
Mattress Manufacturing Co .. 315 Greene nue. AAltoona, Pa , Phoenix Telephone 59'
TYRONE BUSINESS CARDS.
J. H. READER. J. T. READER. A. E. HOFFMAN Reader Bros. & Hoffman, MANUFACTURERS OF
& Steam Boilers, Eclipse Hot Air Furnace.
Works adjoining the A. G. Morris & Son's Foundry and Machine Shop. Telephone 103. We are prepared to build Boilers Steam and Hot Water House Heating, Boilers, Stacks and all kinds of Tanks. The Reader Spark Arrester, Chutes for convey ing coal and stone, etc. Barrow Hopper and Sheet Metal work in general. Repairing a specialty and at short notice. We guar antee satisfaction. J. H. READER, Mgr., Tyrone, Pa.
The Tyrone Times.
VOLUME XVII. TYRONE, P.A. $1 00 PER YEAR.
HARRY A. THOMPSON, Editor and Publisher.
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NEWSPAPER AND JOG PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. PHOUNK TELEPHONE
TyroneBrewingC
TYRONE, PA,
Pure Lager Beer and XXXX Porter.
CITY HOTEL, CHAS. WOODIN, Prop. First-class Livery and Bar Attached.
Central Hotel, G. M. WAPLE, Prop. Tyrone, Pa.
ALTOONA AND BELLWOOD BUSINESS CARDS.
CHICKERING PIANOS
F. A. WINTER,
Largest Music House. Every- thing known in Music. 1425 Eleventh ave , Altoona.
D. D. Coleman. r. Aled Coleman.
Odorless Excavating Co.
Guarantee 50 gallons to every barrel in removing contents of privy vaults C'all at MeGrath's coal of- five 1004 Green ave .. or address Box 38, Altoona. Correspondence prompt- ly answered. Coleman Bros.
Goleman Bros.,
Small Fruits,
Box 39, Altoona, Pa.
J. E. WALLACE, CASH GROCER,
Figlith Avenue and Fourteenth Street, Altoona, Pa. Liberal discount on orders of $2.50 and upwards.
Good Sample Rooms. All modern Conveniences for the Travel ing Public.
CENTRAL M. CARROLL, Prop. Bellwood, Pa.
BELL HOUSE,
Bellwood, Pa. LAWRENCE LEHRSCH, Proprietor. First Class Accommodations at Moderate Rates.
Boecking & Meredith. Druggists, Soda Bicarb, Bellwood, Pa.
Innes's Drug Store, one of Bellwood's Pioneer Establishments Main Street, corner Cambria. Buy your Drugs here.
J. W. Houck. Furniture and Hardware, 123 Main st., Bell wood, Pa.
THE MORNING TRIBUNE, published every day except Sunday, also wek, ly. Latest telegraphic reports. Book and Job Office complete. Den a Pitcairn, Twelfth street, bet. 11th and Pih Aves, Altoona, P.L.
THE ALTOONA TIMES, morning democratic newspaper, daily accept day-all the news. Also, Book and Job Printing. Potter. free. Kil ley & Co. 1226 Eleventh avenue, Altoona, l'a.
ALTOONA GAZETTE, published every evening, except Sunday dally and weekly, by the frette Co., 1:25 Eleventh avenue, Atoona, l'a. Book and Job Printing.
THE MIRROR, an evening daily. Book and Job Print ne 11 the best pas sible style. H. & W. H. Shop, publishers, 1014 1th Ave, Alton , Pa.
TYRONE BUSINESS CARDS.
U. G. Crampton. Barber Shop, 1119 Pennsylvania avenue Tyrone, Pa.
George A. Walker. Staple and Fancy Groceries, and Fruit in Season, Pennsylvania avenue, between Twelfth and Thir- teenth streets, Tyrone, Pa.
Friedly & Kaup. Fresh and Cured Meats, Pennsylvania avenue, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, Tyrone, Pa.
Keystone Hotel. F. J. Miller, Proprietor, First Class Bar Attached, Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
Empire House. C. A. Baumgardner, Proprietor, First Class Bar Attached, Pennsylvania avenue and Eleventh street, Ty rone, Pa. $1.00 to $1 50 per day.
John W. Hunter. Barber Shop, West Tenth street, Tyrone, Pa.
George C. Davis. Manufacturer of Brick, Tyrone, Pa.
The J. S. Gillam Co .. Wholesale Groceries, Tyrone, Pa.
J. J. Wilmore. Manufacturer Carriages, Wagons and Gen- eral Blacksmithing, South Logan avenue. Tyrone, Pa.
Stevens. Owens & Pascoe. Attorneys at-Law. Tyrone, Pa. A. A. Stevens, G. L. Owens, W. L. Pascoe.
J. K. Bottori & Co .. Staple and Fancy Groceries, Notions, etc. Corner Washington avenue and Tenth street, Tyrone, Pa
HI. W. Cutler, Plumber, ILI West Tenth street, Tyrone, Pa.
Willis, the Barber, First National Bank Building, East Tenth street, Tyrone, Pa.
Dr. James A. Witten. Dentist, Study Block, Corner Pen1- sylvania avenue and Tenth street, Tyrone, Pa.
A. R. Markel. D. D. S., 1114 Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa. Matt. L. Allison. only exclusive Job Printer. Commercial work a specialty. Tyrone, Pa.
Michael Lond. Blacksmithing in all its branches. Horse Shoeing a specialty, Blair avenue, between Tenth and Herald streets, Tyrone, Pa.
A. P. Lancaster. Barber Shop, 1346 Logan avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
HI. C. Sprankle. dealer in Staple and Fancy Groceries, Coun- try Produce. Cor. Pennsylvania ave. and 14th St., Tyrone.
TYRONE BUSINESS CARDS.
Tyrone Herald. Daily and Weekly, Tyrone, Pa.
J. H. Holtzinger for Photos, Views and Tin Types, 1235 and 1237 Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
A. F. Martin. Merchant Tailor, 1044 Pennsylvami avenue, Tyrone, Pa. Clothing made at popular prices.
Prof. W. L. Lighty. Sixteenth street and Columbia avenue, Tyrone, Pa., Composer and Arranger of Music for Bands, etc.
Dr. D. J. Appleby. Physician and Surgeon. 1251 Pennsyl- vania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
Hicks & Troutwine. Fresh Shad and Meats, corner Logan avenue and Fourteenth street, and Washington avenue and Tenth street, Tyrone, Pa.
Mock & Buck. Staple and Fancy Groceries, 29 West Tenth street, Tyrone, Pa.
W. E. Hoffman. manufacturer of Ice Cream, Water Ices and Bakery Goods, 1342 Logan avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
Frank Gardner. Staple and Fancy Groceries, West Fifteenth street and Adams avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
J. T. Plummer. Staple and Fancy Groceries, corner Twenty- first street and Columbia avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
Pennsylvania House. Troutwine Bros., Proprietors, Pen sylvania avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, Tyrone.
William Boffey. Tailor, Cleaning and Repairing in the most artistic style, 1226 Pennsylvania avenue. Tyrone, Pa.
HI. H. Stratiff. Guns and Sporting Goods, Bicycles and Bicy cle Repairing, 1212 Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
John Longenbacher & Son. Fresh and Smoked Meats 1116 Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
William Vogt. Clothier and Furnisher, Southeast Corner Pennsylvania avenue and Eleventh street. Tyrone, Pi.
John M. Kienzle. Bakery, Confectionery and Grocery. Cigars and Tobacco, Tyrone, Pa.
Sprankle Bros .. Fresh and Salt Meats West Tenth street Tyrone, Pa.
John D. Cox. Guns and Sporting Goods, Bicycles and Bievele Repairing. Tyrone, Pa.
J. C. McConaby. Boots and Shoes, Fint Repming a Spe cialty, Tyrone Pa.
J. M.C. Davis. Livery and Sale Stalls West Tenth Street (in alley / Tyrone, Pa
TYRONE BUSINESS CARDS
G. B. Shellenberger. Livery and Boarding Stable, Alley F, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, Tyrone, Pa.
Ward House Barber Shop. George W. Bryant, Proprietor, Tyrone, Pa.
Dr. Thaddeus Stine, Dentist, Blair County Bank Building, Tyrone, Pa.
Andrew H. McCamant. Attorney-at-Law, Blair County Bank Building. Tyrone, Pa.
W. G. Scott. House Furnishing Goods, Flynn Block, Penn- sylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
George H Garner. Prescription Druggist, Flynn Block, Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
D. G. Owens, General Merchandise, Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
Samuel Cosel. Clothier and Furnisher, Flynn Block, Pennsyl- vinia avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
(. R. Thompson, Barber Shop, Blair County Bank Building, Tyrone, Pa.
W. H. Agnew. High Grade Photography, Pennsylvania ave- 1111e, near Depot, Tyrone, Pa.
Dr. Elmer Crawford, Dentist, Walsh Building, 977 Penn- sylvania avenue, Tvrone, Pa.
J. A. Hoffman. Builder of Wagons and Vehicles. Repairing a Specialty. East Tenth street, Tyrone, Pa.
Martin. the Tailor, Fine Tailoring a Specialty, 1044 Pennsyl- vania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
Captain D. R. Miller, Pension and Claim Agency and Notary Public, Herald Building, (second floor) Tyrone, Pa.
J. Luden Henry. Engineer and Surveyor, Herald Building, ( second floor) Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa
J. W. Fisher. Stoves and Tinware, 1010 Pennsylvania ave- nue, Tyrone, Pa.
Hicks & Templeton. Attorneys-at-Law, 984 Pennsylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
Gray's Tailoring Establishment. 1113 Pennsylvania avenue, C. G. Gray, Agent, Tyrone, Pa.
Brindle & Moore. Groceries, Provisions and Country Pro- duce, Pennsylvania avenue. Tyrone, Pa.
Dr. B. J. Fulkerson, Physician and Surgeon, 1117 Penn- sylvania avenue, Tyrone, Pa.
Cities and Towns of the County.
ALTOONA-LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION.
Altoona is situated about thirty miles southwest of the geo- graphical center of the great state of Pennsylvania, just at the eastern base of the Allegheny mountains; near the headwaters of the Juniata river ; the. " Blue Juniata " of Indian song and legend, and on the Pennsylvania railroad. It lies in the upper or western end of Logan valley, or "Tuckahoe" as this vicinity was called in early days, in the central part of Logan Township, in Blair County. By rail it is 117 miles east of Pittsburgh and 235 west of Phila- delphia, although an air line would be one-fourth to one-third less. Baltimore and Washington are 150 miles southeast and Buffalo 200 miles directly north, but by rail the distance to these points is nearly twice as great.
Originally laid out in a narrow valley, it has filled this and climbed the hills on either side and grown in all directions, so that a large part of it is built on hills of moderate elevation. The city lines as now established embrace a territory two and one- fourth miles long and one and one-fourth miles wide ; but it is built up as a city a distance of four miles long and two miles wide. Less than fifty years old, it has grown with such surpris- ing rapidity that it is now the eighth city in the state, in popula- tion, and second to none in material prosperity.
The lowest ground in the city is 1120 feet above the level of the ocean and the hills rise 100 to 150 feet higher, making the site and surroundings picturesque in the extreme and furnishing innumerable points of observation, from which nearly the entire city may be taken in at one view; yet in few places are the ascents so abrupt as to interfere with the laying out and grading of streets and avenues. The railroad passes through the heart of the city from northeast to southwest and the avenues are laid out parallel with the tracks. Crossing these at right angles are thoroughfares of equal width denominated streets; and both streets and avenues are given numerical names, beginning at a base line and number- ing in regular order from that. First avenue is near the south- eastern boundary of the city and First street near the northeastern limit. To this general rule there are some exceptions, but on the whole the city may be said to be regularly laid out.
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62
Semi-Centennial History of Blair County.
In the central part of the city, on the lower ground are lo- cated the railroad company's machine and locomotive shops. freight warehouse, passenger station and an immense hotel, around which the business of the city clusters, this being the "hub;" although the ever increasing business of the road has necessitated the building of additional sliops at two places in the eastern suburbs.
Altoona is unique in having its site away from any consider- able stream of water, but to the northeast a short distance is the Little Juniata, and to the southwest Mill Run, both of which furnish a considerable quantity of pure mountain spring water, while still farther to the west and south are Kittanning and Su- gar Run streams, the former being the source of supply for the city water system.
The character of the buildings of Altoona is very creditable; considering her youth. There are 7,000 to 8,000 dwellings with- in city limits, inhabited by 36,000 industrious, frugal, well-in- formed, cheerful and happy people, while 2,000 more houses and 8,000 more people are just without the corporate lines. All taken together make one thriving city of 44,000 inhabitants; and the time is not far distant when its boundary lines will be extended to include then all.
Aside from the business blocks, which are nearly all brick, about three-fourths of the buildings are frame, a few are stone, and the remainder brick or brick cased; nearly all are neat and confortable; many are more than this; while not a few are pala- tial in architectural design and finish, the home of wealth and re- finement. Eleventh avenue, on the northwest side of the rail- road, from Eleventh street to Seventeenthi street, is the great com- mercial and mercantile center, where real estate and rents are highest. Here are the banks, newspapers, postoffice, the great dry goods stores and hotels, with the passenger station but one square distant. The wholesale establishments are principally on Eleventh street between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, and Green and Eleventh avenues between Seventh and Ninth streets. The manufacturing district, aside from the railroad shops, is on Ninth and Margaret avenues, west of Seventeenth street; and this is also the location of the retail coal trade and dealers in builders sup- plies, lime, sand, brick, terra cotta pipe, etc. Other business centers of considerable importance are Twelfth street and Eighth avenue, Eighth avenue and Ninth street and Fourth street and Sixth avenue. The most desirable residence locations are on
63
Semi-Centennial History of Blair County.
Twelfth avenue between Eleventh and Sixteenth streets, and Broad avenue, formerly Broad street, between Nineteenth and Twenty-seventh streets, and Fourteenth avenue near Eleventh street.
The street car lines, City Passenger and Logan Valley, motive power electricity since 1891. traverse Eleventh avenne from Ninth to Eighteenth streets, Seventeenth and Bridge streets from Elev- enthi to Eighth avenues, down the later to Fourth street, thence to Sixth avenue and out Sixth to First street and beyond to Bell- wood junction; the entire length of Chestnut avenue from Elev- entli street to First street, and beyond to Juniata borough one mile, and Bellwood seven miles northeastward; on Union and Broad avenues, from Eleventh avenue to Thirty-first street, near the new suburb Westmont; from the corner of Seventeenth street and Eighth avenue to Seventh avenue, out Seventh avenue to Twenty-sixth street, and along the street to Fifth avenue ; from the corner of Twelfthi street and Ninth avenue along the avenue to Thirteenth street, along the street to Fifth avenue and along this avenue to Thirty-first street, and southeastward to Lakemont Park three miles, and Hollidaysburg, the county seat, six miles.
There are now over eight miles of finely paved streets in the city, including the three kinds most popular, asphaltum, concrete block and vitrified briek, extending over a large part of the best business and residence portions of the town, and the coming sea- son will see this largely augmented. Altoona is well sewered; having a sewer system, recently completed, capable of meeting the requirements of a city of 100,000 inhabitants.
Altoona is supplied with water from two mountain streams which empty into the gathering and storing reservoirs at Kittan- ning Point, a picturesque spot six miles west of the city, within the circle of the famous "Horse-shoe" bend of the Pennsylvania railroad and under the very shadow of the Alleghenies' crest. The drainage area is wood covered mountain sides and the water consequently pure and cold and sweet. It is brought to Altoona through large iron pipes by force of gravity which is sufficient to carry it to all residences in the city. The water works are owned and managed by the municipality.
The city building is situated on the corner of Twelfth street and Thirteenth avenue. Here the mayor has his office, the police headquarters and city prison are here, and the office of water su- perintendent and street commissioner as well as the council chambers, where common and select councils meet regularly twice
64
Semi-Centennial History of Blair County.
a month. The other city officials have their offices in rented roonis pending the erection of a magnificent new City Hall to cost $100,000.
Altoona, although the metropolis of the county, containing more than half the total population, is not the county seat, not having been in existence when that was established at Hollidays- burg, then a thriving borough. The court house and county offices are easily accessible, however, by electric cars which arrive and depart every quarter hour between six o'clock in the morn- ing and ten o'clock at night,
The society of Altoona is excellent, and the people are of more than average intelligence; the undesirable foreign element, so predominant in some cities, is almost entirely absent here. The citizens of foreign birth are mostly German and English, of the educated class, and are among the most respected. There is a church building to every eight hundred of population, nearly all denominations being represented, Catholic, Protestant and Jewish, all well attended. The public schools are of the best and there are beside, a number of parochial and private schools, kinder- gardens and commercial schools.
Every citizen of Altoona lias a business, profession, or trade, and works at it; few drones or idle people are found in this busy hive of industry. As might be expected where industry reigns, the people are law abiding, peaceful, moral; criminals are few, crimes rare, litigation not popular. While there are a number of legal gentlemen resident here it is a noticeable fact that most of them depend more upon the results of successful business ven- tures for their income, than on fees received from legitimate law practice.
While from its elevation, it might be inferred that the climate would be severe, the facts are otherwise; the mountains break the force of the north and west winds and the winters are seldom more rigorous than on lower levels in the same latitude elsewhere, and the usually prevailing weather of spring and fall is marvelously deliglitful. The air is so pure and stimulating, so full ot ozone, that to those in good health mere existence is a delicious luxury and even the invalid enjoys living until the last.
On the whole Altoona is a veritable "geni of the mountain," beautiful to view and pleasant to live in; its excellent qualities are only beginning to be appreciated and understood. As time passes it will continue to grow in size and in the affections of those who have their homes here, or who for limited periods visit the place, to feast their eyes on the beauties of nature so lavishly displayed, and breathe the pure invigorating air.
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