Some fun facts about Altoona. It's home to the world's oldest wooden Rollercoaster, it was once the railroad capital of the world, Altoona shops once covered 218 acres of land (about 37 acres indoors) and produced over 7500 locomotives throughout its existence, Robert E Lee was originally planning on capturing Altoona due to its railways but decided Harrisburg was a better target due to its proximity to DC, the Horseshoe Curve was so influential to the war effort in WW2 that German sabatours were caught trying to blow it up when one of them turned himself in.

I have only lived in 3 places mainly: Long Island, NY and Seattle, WA. In 1995, I moved back to NY after being in Seattle for most of 15 years. It was too expensive after a year and I didn't know what to do, since I moved all my stuff there. I had a dream about this city, and it was very particular, the things in it. I looked at all places to move and I was partial because my mom was from a small city in Central PA. I had never been to Altoona before, but when I drove there after research, I realized it was the city from my dream. I stayed there and had a great year but I needed to get back somewhere larger, so I moved back to Seattle (which has a ton of weird social problems). I had won the Altoona Writer of the Year prize (called something like that, from the writers club that meet at the library) while I was in Altoona. They are a nice bunch of people there.

Nice job (covering Altoona); I grew up there and you brought back a lot of good memories (plus I worked at Boyer Candy-team smoothie)

My father, John Grazier, was manager of the Penn Alto Hotel in the 1830s. before I was born.

🍿👏👏👏 "It's good to see a tour guide who see the glass half full"

I'm so exciting for Georgia Congrats for 100sub (:

I am from a town close altoona called Roaring spring it is nice to see someone take interest in the history of altoona

I am from Europe and been to Altoon a few years ago. It always bring a smile to me everytime I see a video like this!

Just found this, thanks for the vid. I love seeing small cities across the country. Enjoy your travels (and do more please).

I live in Altoona, next time you come through I can show and explain a lot more.

The best part about Altoona, is leaving Altoona. Congratulations. Most of us won't make it outta here.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, I have not lived in Altoona since the 1980s, it's always good to revisit the sights of through videos. Thank you for filming.

thanks for this video. Brings back fond memories grew up in Altoona, I am one of those who relocated for work but would have stayed if I could.

I move to this area and I like it. I lot of history like you said. Nice video 👍👏👏

Nice. I’ve wanted to visit a number of pa towns. I have yet been to Altoona

Keep up the good work, even though i knew where you were this entire video. (Went to the middle school for a few years then moved back to clearfield)

No one told you about up coming rivalry with Rutters?

Thanks for the video! I grew up in nearby Claysburg and worked in Altoona a number of years. Some of my dad's relatives are still there, the ones who are still living. By the way, I live in Lynchburg, Va. now and the Sheetz stores here sell the Mallow Cups! I buy one now and then for nostalgia lol.

3:45 - About 10 blocks of the area between where you are here, and the Altoona Hospital were houses in the 90s, but are now clinics (and parking lots) connected to the hospital. In fact, the deed for the lot where my house used to be is owned by UPMC. 😂 There are still a few holdouts though. I do wonder if that segment of the local economy will take a hit as there are fewer railroad pensioners over time.

Today is my 19th Anniversary of living in Altoona PA,... Moved here from Sydney Australia ;)

I like your vlogs

WOW Altoona has Hustle

Altoona has so much lost history. I lived there for a year and was saddened by all the delipatated old buildings. The cemetery by the hospital was interesting. I didn't realize that cemetery is basically abandoned and it's just volunteers that maintain the cemetery. After a strong windstorm, old dead trees blew over and I was walking my dog through it, yeah I saw coffins popping up through where the trees uplifted them.

You need to go to pacifico bakery by the high school

I’m an altoid and I hate the mallow cup🤣

Wish I could have seen the train go. Over the horseshoes as I was told the front could see it end!?

I’ve never seen someone so fascinated with 17th street super sheetz.. and in this town now, the big competitor is Rutter’s not WaWa

New target 🎯 200sub. Keep up

I live in eastern Pennsylvania and we have Sheetz here too. He doesn’t know. In fact I live in a rare spot where Sheetz and Wawa are in a competing market, Reading/Berks County.

Sheetz vs. Wawa. Steelers vs. Eagles. Bituminous coal vs. Anthracite coal. The 'Burgh vs. Philly. You see Pennsylvania is really two states: the western half belongs to the Mid-West and the eastern half belong to the Mid-Atlantic.

I thought you were Wonderhussy

Poor rejected mallow cups :(

Altoona in Arabic means The tuna

You are full of informations

If you love candy go to sweeties candy in Cleveland Ohio

I was born and raised in Altoona and the surrounding area. Thanks for the mention, but this video was very disappointing. It was enough to make me dizzy! It jumped around so much that the only things I could recognize were Boyer Brothers and the Horseshoe Curve. You didn't do the place justice man!

So I was a manager for Wawa for years. New fact for you, Sheetz was founded by someone who left Wawa to branch off on his own. It's why they are so similar to each other. Also, why they are in such a fierce competition. 😆

Cool looking town but the host - holy shit was that bad.