Downtown Altoona

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Downtown Altoona

by Matthew Villani
(Altoona, PA, USA)

11th Avenue

Here's a picture of downtown Altoona on 11th avenue. Mostly what I remember is that although downtown was past its heyday, it was more active when I was little than it is now. For example, Woolworth's was still open and doing great.

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Downtown Altoona

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Gables
by: Mary

I remember Gables I had my senior pictures done there. Oh downtown Altoona was always decorated for Christmas too. Too bad everything had to move out to the mall. I have been in Pittsburgh since 1979 but still come back to visit and tell the tale of what it used to be like. The Christmas parades were another thing in my childhood memory.

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Memories
by: Maggie

I remember Gable's Department Store well. I remember the Capitol, State and Olympic theatres. I remember what a busy and fun place it was back in the 50's and 60's. I miss it. I live in Altoon now after 40 years and the downtown is like a ghost town. I wish stores were there and not all out at the Mall. I remember the Bon Ton and Meyer Jonassen's when they were in their hey day. I miss it all.

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I'm Pleasantly Surprised To Find The Interest Here
by: Matthew Villani

For those of you who would like to further discuss downtown Altoona and Altoona in general, or perhaps would like to discuss surrounding communities or even general discussion topics while talking about Altoona at other times, be sure to visit my forum that I have created that is affiliated with my budding website.

http://altoonapenna.proboards80.com/

There are some rules, but most of them are common-sense (don't post topics that are inappropriate for mixed company, keep your language PG-13 or cleaner, don't spam, etc). If you would like to join, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, in the Random Discussions forum, we have chat threads every weekend (Thursday night through Monday afternoon) that operate much like a chat room where the rules are a bit relaxed, our current members love those.

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grew up in Altoona 50's & 60's
by: mike

Oh yes downtown Altoona the memories, my mom and dad worked at Gables that is where they met. Any one remember, The New Idea, my sisters and I got our school uniforms there (St Mary's), remember Traubs toy store, McCrorys, Shirley Shoes, Bon Ton, 2 or 3 movie theaters, the State and Olympic I believe were 2 of them, oh yeah Schulmans what a mess my dad got his mailman uniforms there and blue jeans for me and shoes, my dad knew the brothers Max, Yale I think there I always wondered how they ever found anything there it was so unorganized, lots of jewelry stores, brick streets and the farmers market on Green Ave email me and tell me your memories Langdia2@cinci.rr.com

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Memories of Downtown Altoona
by: Patricia

Hi Loretta & David,

Isn't it wonderful to share these memories of good old Altoona? I grew up in Altoona and my dad had a produce business on 7th Ave. and 12th Street, I'll bet you might remember that David.

Yes, Loretta coming from Bellwood in those days seemed like a big trip, I remember going to Bland Park (now DelGrosso's) and traveling down the highway through farm country and seeing all the cows out in the pastures and so much corn growing.

Gable's was the place to go in downtown Altoona, I remember smelling the seafoam candy every time you went through the doors that went round and round. I had to laugh when you mentioned Holly's Loretta, I remember my mom getting our first credit card there and I got to buy peddle pushers and a new top to go skating...ha!

And Shulman's was where all the men loved to go shopping. Always buying work clothes to work in the shops.

Talk about the good old days, I remember every Saturday during summer I'd get $1.00 allowance and go get 2 hot dogs and a coke for $.35 at Coney Island Hot Dogs on 11th Ave. then go to the Olympic and see 5 scary movies for $.25 and buy plenty of snacks and still had change left over for Sunday root beer float at the Meadows.

Just thought I'd share some memories too, it's such fun,

Patricia

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Road trip!
by: Loretta

I can remember as a child when my mother and a neighbor lady would take all of us children to catch the bus in Bellwood and we would go to 11th Avenue in Altoona to spend the day! That was a really big road trip for us in those day! I can remember shopping in Gables and eating lunch at McCrory's five and dime store! We used to sit in a booth and they had the best lunches you could ever imagine! My dad always bought his work clothes, he worked on the railroad, at Schulman's! Years later, I bought my wedding dress at the Holly Shop for a whopping $10! I have great memories of downtown Altoona, thanks so much for letting me share them with you!

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Gable's
by: David Winstead

My first job was at Gable's as a card writer. I made up the cards showing price of item and what it was. Robert Powers was the president then. His son Jamie, was friend and we went to grade school together. His home at the time was on Southey Ave just up from my grandparents home. Gables was the premiere place to go for anything.

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Downtown Altoona Photo
by: Patricia

Thank you Matthew for sharing your downtown Altoona photo with us.

Yes, downtown Altoona was once a goldmine for any business. I can remember when everybody walked through the downtown and the streetcars ran right down the middle of 11th Avenue. Gable's Department Store was like Macy's in NYC.

I wonder how many visitors remember the good old days in Altoona.

Don't be shy, tell us some of your memories.

Patricia (webmaster)

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Downtown Altoona

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