1922 Map of Altoona

About this map

The massive urban grid of Altoona dominates the southern landscape of this 1920s survey, showing the city at its industrial height as a major hub for the Pennsylvania railroad. This network of tracks, shops, and yards snakes northward through the valley, connecting satellite communities like East Altoona, Bellwood, and Tipton. The map illustrates the dramatic relief between the flat valley floor and the steep escarpment of Allegheny Mountain, which dictates the path of every road and rail line. Beyond the industrial corridor, the map is dotted with dozens of small rural institutions such as the McKnight School, Martz School, and the Sahmbin Rest School. Higher elevations reveal smaller settlements like Blandburg and Lloydville, alongside the winding route of the Altoona Northern railroad as it climbs through the gaps. From the sprawling Grandview Cemetery to the numerous reservoirs providing water for the growing population, this sheet captures the complex geography of Blair County.