City Of Altoona history

H. D. SOYSTER & COMPANY-Wholesale Cigars, Stogies & Pipes, 1814 Margaret Avenue.

Blair county was created in 1846 and named for John Blair, a local settler.

In 1849, the Railroad began developing the community that became Altoona - as a staging area for the construction of the rail line.

It is likewise one of the very oldest established having been founded in the year 1852 by the late W. Williams, father of the present proprietor.

In 1854 the railroad was opened through to Pittsburgh.

He has been a resident of Altoona since 1862 and his first position as a clerk paid him fifteen dollars per month, and established in business on his own account about thirty years ago.

In 1864, the first stretch of railroad using steel for the rails was built between Altoona and Pittsburgh.

Warren S. Lee founded the business in 1870, and his son, Mr.

CANAN-KNOX SUPPLY COMPANY-Successor to John A. Canan & Co.-The oldest established supply house in the city, having been founded in 1871 by the senior member of the company, Mr.

The business has been established since 1880, was founded by Mr.

Altoona Hospital opened on January 1, 1886, on land donated by the Pennsylvania Railroad in a wooden building that cost less than $17,000.

He has reason to feel proud of his success and his patrons today are numbered among his best friends. It has been operating a store in Altoona since 1889 and it is by far the largest and most important tea and coffee enterprise in this section of the country.

The business of this house was established in 1895 and was first conducted by L. F. Hinman & Sons.

He has been established in the business for some twenty-one years, having occupied his present location since 1896, and enjoys a large patronage.

THE G. W. SHAFFER STORES-Established 1897, G. W. Shaffer, General Manager.

THE ALTOONA TRUST COMPANY-The record of this establishment since the business was founded in 1901 shows a steady and solid development.

New location, near Margaret Avenue and 19th Street-formerly at 1902 Margaret Ave.

Mobus established this business in May, 1904, and since that time he has gained a patronage of many of the best dressed gentlemen of the city.

The business of this concern was established in 1906 and it may be said that the company took the town by storm, as it were, and began making success at once, and the trade has kept increasing by leaps and bounds to the very present day.

He has been at the above location since January 1st, 1911, and was formerly on Chestnut Avenue.

The Altoona campus of Pennsylvania State University (Penn State Altoona) was founded in 1939.