Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 46

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036

USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 46

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

LAKEMONT PARK.

Simultaneous with the construction of the Logan Valley line, the company in 1892 laid out and beautified a fine park with a large ar-

tificial lake at a point midway between Altoona and Hollidaysburg which they called Lake- mont. The park is laid out in a spot which nature tried to hide by surrounding it on all sides with rugged hills and mountains, but the skill and good taste of the architect and land- scape artist have transformed it into a won- derfully beautiful woodland garden, with grateful shade, pleasant walks, a handsome theatre, a splendid structure known as the Casino, a merry carousel, figure-eight, minia- ture railroad, shute-the-shutes, and other amusement features, and a wealth of floral adornments, with a shimmering lake to mir- ror and multiply all this magnificence; and thus it happens that the fame of this once un- heard of and neglected backwoods hollow has traveled far and wide until Lakemont is now a familiar word all over the state. Every summer the pretty park is the objective point of many excursions from neighboring cities and towns, while the citizens of Altoona and Hollidaysburg resort to it naturally and unan- imously as one of the few breathing spots in the county where there is room for all, and where every necessity and comfort and every rational entertainment and amusement is pro- vided.

The park consists of 113 acres, of which thirteen are covered by the lake. Besides sev- eral springs that come to the surface in the park, fresh spring water is piped from Brush mountain, near by, and distributed through the grounds. The Casino stands on the side of the lake and may be approached by boat, a landing being provided for that pur- pose. Here band concerts are given daily during the summer season. When illuminated at night the Casino can be seen from nearly every part of the grounds and across the lake, and resembles some enchanted fairy castle. In front of the Casino is a beautiful fountain. Theatrical companies give choice entertain- ment twice daily throughout the summer in the theatre. One hundred arc lights illuminate the park at night. They are suspended at in- tervals where most needed all over the grounds, the effect of the lights among the

328

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

heavily foliaged trees and on the smooth sur- face of the lake being indescribably beautiful. The park is always sufficiently policed, day and evening, but the restraint of an officer is seldom required, the patronage of the park be- ing remarkably free from rowdyism. Boating is one of the most popular diversions, particu- larly in the evening when the sun has spent his force ; and on big occasions, such as excur- sion days or special celebrations, the keeper of the boats is one of the most important officials on the grounds. During the winter, when the lake is converted into a glitter of ice, skating is a popular diversion with the thousands who enjoy this exhilerating sport.

CITIES OF THE DEAD.

Altoona is a beautiful and healthful place in which to live, but its inhabitants are not immune from the ravages of the Grim Reaper, so ample provision has been made for burying the dead, and few more beauti- ful cities of the dead can be found anywhere than those which have been provided by the residents of Altoona. They are all laid out on the adjoining hillsides, and almost all of them disprove the statement that a city of the dead cannot grow into great beauty without having great age. From their lo- cation on the hillsides, all of them are dry and all of them are kept in first-class condi- tion by their managers.

Fairview Cemetery .- This solemn city of the dead covers an area of eighteen or twenty acres of elevated ground, on the northern suburbs of Altoona. The land was purchased from John Kough and James Trees. On March 3, 1857, an association was formed, which on October 28, same year, procured a charter. Rev. Henry Baker was made the first president; Rev. A. B. Clarke and George R. Everson, vice- presidents ; Theodore A. Stecker, secre- tary; J. B. Hileman, treasurer; G. W. Pat- ton, M. Clabaugh, C. C. Mason, A. A. Smith, M. T. Dill, A. C. Vauclain, Austin McGraw and John Hamilton, trustees.

Changes in its management, of course, have occurred from time to time.

Since the cemetery was laid out improve- ments have been constantly made. The money derived from the sale of lots instead of being applied as dividends to stockhold- ers, or projectors, has been expended in rendering the grounds attractive. In 1875 water pipes were laid for conveying water to the premises at no little expense and 'labor to the association, for the benefit of lot-holders. The grounds and improve- ments have been fully paid for, and, conse- quently, no incumbrances exist on the prop- erty. A receiving vault has been con- structed on the grounds to supply the ur- gent necessities of those who may not be prepared for permanent interment.

Andrew McFarran, an elderly gentleman, became the first inhabitant of this city of the dead. He was buried on March 17, 1857, since which time over 9,000 have fol- lowed him to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns."

Altoona being for many years without parks or pleasure grounds, Fairview ceme- tery was long a place of resort, during spring and summer, not only for those who thronged thither to view the graves of their friends, but for those who sought tempo- rary relief from the harassing cares and vex- ations of business. Fairview cemetery has the honor of having the only soldiers' monu- ment in the city. This was unveiled July 4, 1867. It cost $4,000, and it is on record that the money to pay for it was raised in Al- toona, then with only about 10,000 inhab- itants, in four days. The monument is erected on the apex of the hill, and it is an object of attraction, more on account of the patriotic memories which cluster around it and its prominent location, than any intrin- sic merit exhibited in the emblazonment of its shaft. Fine exhibitions of sculpture are visible on every hand and neat iron railings surround many of the lots.

The present officers of the association are as follows: President, S. M. Griffith; vice-

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presidents, J. C. Hughes and M. H. Canan; secretary, D. S. Keith; treasurer, W. F. Eberle; trustees, Thomas M. Goodfellow, David A. Little, D. H. Crawford, H. C. Dern, H. K. McCauley, J. W. Smith, Alton Clabaugh, and T. Blair Patton; superin- tendent, A. M. Yingling.

Oak Ridge Cemetery .- In 1878 a number of citizens of Altoona, believing that a necessity existed for the establishment of another ceme- tery, determined to form themselves into an association for that purpose. There were sev- eral reasons for this, the principal one of which was that a general desire existed to have, for convenience, a cemetery on the east side of the city. The best location and the most suitable grounds were found to be on the farm of G. T. Bell, of whom nine acres were bought and enclosed with a substantial fence. The ground is beautifully situated, with a southeastern exposure, overlooking Pleasant valley, and presenting romantic views of mountain scenery The soil is of a fertile sandy loam, perfectly dry, sloping gently to the southeast, making the drainage perfect, and being well adapted to the rapid growth of trees, shrubbery and flowers.

The association was incorporated on De- cember 16, 1878, under the name and title of Oak Ridge Cemetery association, and is con- ducted by a board of managers, who are not allowed any compensation for their services. By the terms of the charter all money derived from the sale of lots must be used in paying for the ground and in improving and beautify- ing it. After this has been done the moneys received shall be invested in good securities, and the interest accruing shall constitute a perpetual fund for keeping the cemetery in good order.

Oak Ridge became a popular burying ground from the start and it is now a beauti- ful place. Beautiful trees border the main driveway on both sides and the handiwork of the sculptor is in evidence on every side. A few years ago, in 1904, a large addition was made to the cemetery, the lots in the original plot having been practically all sold. The

original officers were as follows: President, Joseph Dysart ; secretary, H. B. Kendig; treas- urer, Theo. H. Wigton; managers, Joseph Dysart, George S. Eaby, John W. Cherry, Jonathan Foreman, John Boynes, G. T. Bell and Richard J. Crozier.

The following persons were the incorpo- rators of the association: Joseph Dysart, Theo. H. Wigton, William B. Bartley, S. M. Sellers, H. B. Kendig, G. S. Eaby, John W. Cherry, Walter Bell, Wm. M. Findley, Louis Walton, M. H. Mackey, John W. Hooper, Robert M. Bartley, C. W. Mason, W. J. D. Graham, Joseph C. Metzgar, J. Cain, Joseph Davis, J. W. Gardner, Charles J. Mann, Charles Cavender, Jonathan Foreman, R. J. Crozier, John Dailey, S. I. Fries, John R. Garden, John Boynes, Jesse Smith, R. L. Gamble, G. T. Bell, J. Chester Wilson and J. S. Leisenring.

The officers of the association in 1910 are as follows: President, E. F. Amick; secre- tary, Fred A. Bell; treasurer, A. P. Rupert ; managers, R. A. Houck, A. A. Johnson, C. M. Piper, John W. Plummer, A. H. Stump and S. M. Irwin; auditors, S. M. Sellers and D. L. Potter; superintendent, M. L. Wolf.

Greenwood Cemetery .- Greenwood Ceme- tery association was formed on October 26, 1895, the incorporators being John Loudon, W. S. Lee, A. C. Shand, L. G. Lamade, Dr. S. L. McCarthy, John Orr, G. W. Fasic, John D. Bloomhardt. A permanent organization was effected by the election of the following officers: President, John Loudon; secretary, J. D. Bloomhardt; treasurer, George D. Bech- tel; solicitor, John K. Patterson; engineer, A. C. Shand.

Greenwood cemtery is located on a hill near the village of Greenwood, about two miles east of the city. The location was selected after a very careful investigation by Mr. Shand, who is an engineer of national fame, at present holding the position of chief engineer of the Pennsylvania railroad company. The ground is underlaid with limestone and is thus absolutely dry. The popularity of the ceme- tery has steadily grown and between 500 and

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

600 bodies now repose in it. Many improve- ments have been made during recent years and it contains some of the most beautiful monu- ments to be found in the county.

The present officers are as follows: Presi- dent, C. A. Wood; vice president, W. S. Lee; secretary, J. D. Bloomhardt ; treasurer, W. W. Miller; solicitor, Thomas C. Hare; engineer, A. C. Shand.

Rose Hill Cemetery .- The most recent ad- dition to Altoona's cities of the dead and the one which is rapidly becoming the most beau- tiful, is the Rose Hill cemetery, organized October 28, 1904, and chartered November 26, 1904. It is situated back of Kettle street and Pottsgrove avenue, East End, and em- braces an ideal tract of land. The grounds were laid off and improvements begun in the fall of 1904. The cemetery can be reached from all parts of the city by the City Passen- ger street cars, the Third avenue line carrying passengers at present to within a short dis- tance, and on the completion of the extension of the street car line will go direct to the gates of the cemetery.

Rose Hill cemetery is a modern burying ground in every particular, presenting more the aspect of a park than a cemetery. Mac- adam driveways of easy grade have been carefully constructed to afford easy access to all parts of the grounds. The lawns have been cultivated; the old shade trees preserved and many new trees planted, giv- ing the cemetery the appearance of a beau- tiful, well-cared for park. No chains or rail- ings are allowed to mar the appearance of the lawns, and the lot boundaries, marked by marble and granite posts, are even with the surface of the ground.

A sightly but unobtrusive office build- ing, with wide porches, has been erected in the center of the cemetery. In it is the of- fice of the cemetery and also many conven- iences for visitors. From this building a commanding view of the surrounding coun- try is afforded. The affairs of the cemetery are looked after by men of experience and ability, who are fully aware of the responsibil-

ity and trust they have assumed. The nat- ural advantages and improvements are sup- plemented by faithful and intelligent man- agement.

The popularity of this cemetery among the people of the city and surrounding country is apparent when it is stated that in the six years since its organization, there have been 850 burials. At the organization the officers were as follows: President, Charles Baltzell; vice-president, Dr. M. J. Buck; secretary-treasurer, J. T. Baltzell; with these gentlemen as directors. Charles Baltzell died in 1908 and the officers are now as follows: President, Dr. M. J. Buck; vice-president, T. A. Sharbaugh; secretary and treasurer, J. T. Baltzell, these gentle- men constituting the board of directors.

St. John's and Calvary Cemeteries .- The first purchase of ground for a Catholic cem- etery was made in 1857, being a lot of ground lying in the Second ward. Before the second body was laid to rest in the new cemetery it was seen that the location was not desirable, and also that the grounds were too limited to meet the wants of a large Catholic community. It was con- cluded, therefore, to make a second pur- chase. In 1858 the ground which consti- tutes the present St. John's cemetery, sit- uated on the east side of the city, between Tenth and Twelfth streets and east of First avenue, was secured at a cost of about $4,000.

For more than twenty years St. John's was the only Catholic cemetery in the com- munity and it filled up rapidly. By the year 1889 the lots were all disposed of and the church authorities began to look around for ground for another cemetery. They finally selected a tract located in Pleasant valley, about a mile and a half east of the city and a cem- etery was laid out and consecrated, since known as Calvary cemetery. The two are under one management, it being known as the St. John's & Calvary cemetery associa- tion. William McGarvey is president; William Hughes, secretary; James P. Wy-

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rough, treasurer; James Morgan, superin- tendent; Rev. Morgan M. Sheedy, Rev. N. J. O'Reilly, Rev. Thomas P. Smith, Patrick Ryan and James Stephens, directors and John Johns, sexton.

Since St. John's cemetery can no longer be used except by those who previously owned lots, Calvary cemetery is being taken up rapidly and upwards of 600 burials have been made in it. The road leading to it has been macadamized and the cemetery greatly beautified during the past year or two by the authorities.

Among those whose remains repose in St. John's cemetery is the late Bishop John Tuigg, to whose memory a beautiful monu- ment has been erected in the cemetery.

St. Mary's Cemetry .- In 1879 the Ger- man Catholic congregation bought ground lying close by St. John's cemetery, for about $2,000, where they have since been laying their dead to rest. The location of this cemetery is excellent, sloping to the east and it has received the painstaking care and attention characteristic of the German peo- ple.

Eastern Light Cemetery .- About the year 1865, John Ferguson, George Hooper and John Alexander purchased a lot of ground, fronting on Tenth street, adjoin- ing Oak Ridge cemetery, for $94.60, to be used as a burial place for the colored people of the city, regardless of religious sect.

Added to the cost of the ground, the im- provements swelled the amount to about $300. The first stockholders consisted of the projectors already named and George W. Jackson, Henry Johnson, George Payne and Allan Hurley. About 400 persons have been buried in this cemetery. Little care has been taken of it and it generally pre- sents the aspect of a wilderness.

The first cemetery in Altoona was laid out adjoining the old Union church at Un- ion avenue and Sixteenth street. It was in existence before the town was conceived and when Altoona was laid out and began to grow, the bodies were removed and buildings were erected on the ground. An- other old cemetery in which repose the bodies of some of the old time residents of the community is located at the suburb of Collinsville. It is now seldom used.

Other cemeteries in the vicinity are Mt. Sinai cemetery, the burying ground of the Hebrews; Grandview cemetery, which was quite recently laid out on the farm of D. D. Coleman, northeast of the city; Hutchi- son's cemetery, on the Hutchison farm, where anyone is privileged to bury free of charge; Asbury cemetery, between Rig- gle's and Homer's gaps, where a Methodist church was erected in 1840, and where many old-time residents were buried; Mau- rer's cemetery, in Juniata Gap; Hutchin- son's cemetery, near Eldorado and Carson valley cemetery, at Cross Keys.

CHAPTER XXII.

ALTOONA'S INDUSTRIES.

The Railroad Shops-Machine Shops-Car Shops-The Juniata Shops-East Altoona Engine House-South Altoona Foundries-The Strike of 1877-Altoona's General Industries- The Car Works-Iron Company-Silk Mill, etc .- The Gas Works-Electric Lighting- Altoona Theatres-Hotels-Breweries.

THE RAILROAD SHOPS.

The city of Altoona is a creation of the Pennsylvania railroad company. The yard and shop sites and offices and residence lots were laid out in 1849. The erection of the shops was begun early in the year 1850. They were composed of a two-thirds round house, containing eight tracks, to be used for storage of locomotives. One portion of this round house was partitioned off for a paint shop, and another for the making of freight car repairs. There was also a machine shop, a car shop and a locomotive repair shop in a long one- story building, with a wing at its west end de- voted to foundry purposes. These were all the shops at Altoona when the road was opened through between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, February 15, 1854.

The reason for placing the shops at this point was that here the character of the traffic changed, owing to the necessity of heavy grad- ients crossing the mountains, thus making Altoona a natural terminal point where trains from the east were either broken up or where the additional pushing or helping locomotives required to handle the unbroken trains were put on. As a consequence of the large equip- ment terminating at this point, it naturally fol- lowed that the shops should be extensively de- veloped as a point for general repairs and, subsequently, for the construction of new

equipment, so that at the present time all new rolling equipment, other than a small portion purchased from builders, is constructed in the shops in and near Altoona.

While none of the original buildings exist, the shops have been continually added to, un- til now they comprise, taken together, the largest railroad shops in America. The an- nual capacity of the present shops is 300 new and 1,800 repaired locomotives, 300 new pas- senger equipment cars, and 3,600 new freight equipment cars. The total number of em- ployes of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the Altoona shops, offices and yards is 13,032.

The Altoona shops embrace five general de- partments, as follows: Altoona Machine shops, Altoona car shops, Juniata shops, East Altoona engine house and South Altoona foundries. They cover a yard area of 242.39 acres and embrace a floor area of 2,089,463 square feet, or 48.03 acres.

Altoona Machine Shops .- The Altoona machine shops comprise all that body of buildings extending from below Twelfth street to Sixteenth street. Here are located buildings having an aggregate frontage of more than three miles, all constructed of stone or brick, and occupied by the best machinery for locomotive building and re- " pairing that modern ingenuity can devise. The machine shops include thirty-six de-

332

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partments, the total floor area being 689,961 square feet, or 15.83 acres, while the area of the shop yard is 23.8 acres. The number of men employed in all the departments is 4,153.

Master Mechanic I. B. Thomas, subject to direction from the superintendent of mo- tive power, is in charge of the machine shops. This position was held for many years prior to 1904 by George W. Strattan, now retired. W. B. Norris is the general foreman and Fred A. Bell the chief shop clerk. The buildings in which are located the thirty-six departments, with their di- mensions and area are as follows :

feet sq. feet

Bunk house

20x 83

1,660

Locomotive testing plant.

48x155

7,440

Oil house

30x75 & 15X 50 3,000

Gas producer building.

25x 95

2,375

Sand shed

24× 95

2,280

Lead Jining room

37x138

5,106

Brass foundry

59x149

II,202

Hammer shop

99x250

39.770

Miscellaneous shop

75×140

10,500

Engine house, diameter 296 ft.

Locos. handled daily 155.

Coal wharf

78x133

Blacksmith shop

68x225

14,739

Frame shop (4 stories) .

60x342

82,080

Spring shop

50X107

4,964

Boiler house No. 2.

68x 70

4,387

Power plant

70x103

6,761

Tank shop (3 stories)

64x266

40,49I

Wheel shop

70x277

20,251

Flange shop

66×128

7,953

Boiler shop

84x263

Flue shop

44X17I

Boiler house No. I.

44×119

5,236

Machine shop (2 stories)

60x320

38,400

Machine shop (2 stories)

70x260

36,400

Machine shop (4 stories)

70x202

56,560

Erecting shop No. I 66 x350

23,100

Erecting shop No. 2.

66×399

26,334

Erecting shop No. 3

94x404

37,976

Storehouse and office (4 stories) . . . 40x135

19,536

Laboratory and test room (4 stories) 40x70

10,906

Fire engine house (2 stories)

41X 62

4,522

Paint shop

37×435

16,095

Cab and pilot shop (2 stories)

70X13I

18,340

Locker and wash room .. 30x 82 2,460

Altoona Car Shops .- On the west side of of the railroad tracks, in the southern section of the city, is located the yard enclosing the immense round house and the construction and repair car shops. They cover an

area of 65.64 acres, while the floor area of the buildings is 738,495 square feet, or 16.9 acres. There are thirty departments giving employment to 3,974 men. Here are manufactured and repaired passenger, mail, parlor and sleeping cars. Like the Altoona machine shops, it is a giant plant, one of the largest of the kind in the world, but their magnitude cannot be comprehended by this statement. It is necessary to see them run- ning at their full capacity to realize their extent and capabilities. During the past decade great changes have taken place in this department. Wooden cars, both freight and passenger, are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, and this has greatly changed the character of the work in the car shops. Instead of carpenters and wood carv- ers, there are now steel workers, machin- ists and blacksmiths employed here.

W. F. Eberle has been general foreman of the shops since November, 1904.

Among those who have served as fore- men in the various departments of these shops are Andrew Kipple, freight car shop; Levi Geesey, passenger car shop; John L. Burley, cabinet shop; James Sharp, machine shop; C. C. Mason, trimming shop; Harry A. Folk, smith shop; Walter K. Beatty and George L. Freet, planing mill; Fred S. Ball and Simon H. Walker, paint shop; Daniel Houseman and William E. McKee, outside laborers; Colonel John Piper, Alexander Smith, Andrew Vauclain, George Hawkes- worth and Thomas Myers. Colonel Piper was the first general foreman, and was suc- ceeded by Mr. Levan, the position being thus filled by but three men.

The buildings in which are located the thirty departments, with their dimensions and area are as follows :

Paint stock room

feet 50x 74

3,337

Passenger car paint shop.

134x465

62,284

Elec. transfer table and pit.

77x380

29,260

Buffing-room

40x 90

3,219

Planing-mill No. I.

91X314

28,574

Bolt shop

40x300

12,187

Storage building

54x388

20,952

Freight car paint shop.

109X512

55,808

Power plant

74×120

8,880

69,434

Bolt shop

75×140

10,500

Storage building (2 stories)

50X100

9,107

10,480

22,092 7,524

sq. feet

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HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

Boiler house

63x 76

4,410

Boiler house

63x 76

4,788

Planing-mill No. 2 ..

74×365

25,310

Shed for finished lumber

50x 75

3,750

Blacksmith shop

74×492

35,505

Machine shop

74x138

10,212

Cabinet shop

74×455

33,670

Upholstering and trimming shop

74×363

51,017

Office and storeroom (2 stories)

40X170

12,29I

Passenger car shop.

. 134x278

37,252

Fire engine house.

33× 73

2,409

Freight car shop, diameter 433 ft.

145,626

Truck shop

58x254

14,732

Oil house

34x 46

1,978

Shed for finished lumber.

50x35I

17,550

Steel car shop.

90x550

47,598

Crossarm building

57X115

6,555

Undried lumber shed. .50X100 & 100x260

31,000

Dry kilns (2 stories)

70x 90

12,600

Dried lumber shed.

. 50x75 & 100X120 15,750

Lumber yard

. .

The Juniata Shops .- The Juniata loco- motive shops are located a short distance from the eastern boundary of the city of Al- toona and were erected in 1889 and 1890. Their total floor area is 281,273 acres, or 6.45 acres, and the number of men em- ployed about 1,600. These men are em- ployed solely on the production of engines, steam and electric, for the Pennsylvania railroad. Originally built with an esti- mated capacity of 150 new engines per year, more than double that number can now be turned out. The first engine turned out of these shops was a class R, the date being July 27, 1891.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 46

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036