Downtown Altoona

by Matthew Villani
(Altoona, PA, USA)

11th Avenue

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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starstarstarstarstar 		War Memorial
by: Creossbow

Found this the other day. In the late 40's and early 50's; I lived on those Streets (Pine and Spruce).
The monument grounds were our playground.
It is a monument formed by 28th Street and Pine and Spruce Avenues.
It was in disrepair in my days when I lived in Altoona.
The report was filmed at 28th Street.

http://www.wearecentralpa.com/story/d/story/wwii-memorial-in-distress/16592/_K9zk5XKo0yjejvxsEbHdw
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starstarstarstarstar 		Playmates
by: crossbow

I have been trying to reconnect with some of my childhood playmates from the 50‘s.
Unfortunately two have passed on; which I recently discovered.
Perhaps some may have known them.
Nickolas Rimbeck died 1998 and Robert Bonner I believe was in 1994.
RIP
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starstarstarstarstar 		RIP Guys
by: Anonymous

We moved from Altoona in 1955. I left a lot of childhood friends that had since moved when I
re-visited Altoona in the 60‘s. I knew some went to California and I had attempted for years to connect. One of my friends and classmate was Nickolas Rimbeck. After all these years I managed some kind of connection. The reason I could not find him in CA was he move to Oregon. I finally connected with the name. But too late. I found Nicky’s obituary from Oregon.
Nickolas passed on in 1998 at age 55. I also found out that Robert Bonner, another friend passed on at age 54 in 1996. Another passed on: Charles Schroth; no info other then he is buried in San Bernardino. He was Nicky’s cousin.
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starstarstarstarstar 		pass by
by: Anonymous

A nice town, a few more eateries would be nice. I went to the baseball game.
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starstarstarstarstar 		World War ll
by: Anonymous

A little trivia.

During the second world war the main objective of Nazi sabatoures was;
The Horseshoe Curve.
Fortunately they never got furtther than the NJ beaches before red flags went up.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Altoona Photos
by: crossbow

Here you go; knock yourself out.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0oG7lcdCSVSrQoAAylXNyoA?p=altoona+photos&fr=fp-yie9&fr2=piv-web

Copy and paste
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starstarstarstarstar 		THE MEADOWS frozen custard
by: crossbow

I'm sure all remember "The Meadows". Something new to desserts. "Frozen Custard"
I can remember those nights going out there with my parents.
Guess what. It is now franchaised and one just opened in Delran, NJ.
That is about 5 miles from me.
Gotta go check it out!!!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Reliving Childhood
by: Anonymous

There is nothing left of the old train station; it's just a trailer now. Right down the street was the Coney Island Restuarant.
However on the other side of the existing tracks are still some older businesses. One of them is Benzels' Pretzels. They are still available at most supermarkets in big plastic drum containers.
I still buy them at Shoprite.
The other is Boyer's candies; home of the Mallo Cup with redeemable card coupons.
Some stores here in the east carry them; but you can buy them directly from the factory.

https://boyercandies.com/

Does anyone remember the mural in the post office on 11th Ave and 12th Street.
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starstarstarstarstar 		streetcars
by: crossbow

If you can recall the street car came down I believe 12th Ave and turned onto 11th Ave.
There were two theaters right after that turn. There was I believe Carnegie Restuarant Supply next to one theater which I think was the Olympic and further up was the Logan across from the Coney Island Restuarant. That trolly went down Broad Ave. but there was only on track for both directions. There were two sidings where one trolly would wait until the opposing trolly passed and then it would continue.
I can remember the State and Strand theaters.
Does anyone remember Walgreens and the 5 cent soda. Things were different back in the 40's and 50's. No locks on the doors. The only big worry we had was polio.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Time Machine in Altoona
by: Anonymous

We moved to Altoona in April 1945 the day President Roosevelt died.
We lived there until 1955.
My wife from Philadelphia can't understand why my heart is still in Altoona. Although most of what I remember when I go back in time are now gone.
My father owned the Coney Island Restaurant on 11th Ave. across from the Logan theather. It was called the ALTO before he purchased it. I went back after a few years to visit the restaurant and was devestated to see that the whole block was torn down. Many a Saturdays at the Logan. I would get a quarter and go to the movies and see a serial, two full lengths and buy popcorn and a soda all for $0.25 Summers at Lakemont and Blair Parks where great. Circuses at the Jaffa Mosque could not be duplicated anywhere. I went back for the 150th Anniversary of the Horseshoe Curve. It's no fun now that the PRR steam engines (K4) no longer put up hugh clouds of smoke going around The Curve. Many a winters sled riding off the Railroad embankments.
Who says there is no time machine; one only has to close one's eys and remeber..........
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starstarstarstarstar 		Great Memories
by: Patricia

Hi Rob,

You're right, it's too bad so much of the old Altoona is now gone. The fruit market you're referring to was my dad's fruit market. It was called Walter's Market. I'm sure we must know each other. To be honest, the candy counter you used to buy the penny candy belonged to me...LOL

I remember my dad would pay so many boys in the neighborhood to help unload the fruit from the truck. My dad's name was Elwood and my uncle was half owner, his name was George.

I'll bet you remember the Sun Theater and Lightner's Drug Store. Do you remember the root beer old man Lightner used to make and sell at his soda fountain? I loved that root beer, they used to say the he made it from his old medicine...lol. I know I had a real addiction to it.

So nice to hear from you, and someone that remembers my dad's fruit market. If you or know of anybody that has a picture of his market I'd love to see it. I've been looking for a picture for years so I can paint it. We had a fire in our house many years ago and lost all our pictures.

Patricia
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starstarstarstarstar 		Too Bad It's All Gone
by: Anonymous

I remember the fruit market on 7th Ave and 12th St. Grew up on 6th & 12th. Used to buy all my penny candy there and later worked helping unload trucks of produce. Also remember crossing the old 12th St bridge that then extended all the way out to 9th Ave and the trains' cinders coming up between the boards. Anyone remember the Logan Theater on 11th Ave or the Union Cigar store(great soda fountain in there!)

Rob
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starstarstarstarstar 		good bakery
by: josel jones

josel tell ya this one fine metro area, kinda got the fell of a small new york city. also got some fine looke fillies. only thing when i went down to that bakery i ate a dozen doughnet and had to go back to the crib and sleep all day. man i passed more gas then texico sell that high price juice. tell you one thing, if ya looken ta buy some crack better stay away cause them cops i hear will hang your sorry behind at high noon.
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starstarstarstarstar 		nice town
by: Anonymous

oi mate, just visited your fair city and had a blast. i'm from australia. if your ever in northern territory stop by and will put a few shrimp on the barbee.
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starstarstarstarstar 		BEST OF MY LIFE
by: PAMELA

We lived in Altoona until i was 14 moved to wv my heart has always been in altoona. The movies The Dances At Saint Marys Roosevelt JR High school christmas in Altoona Best Ever We Live Close enough to visit from time to time and i still love the wonderful city



























































































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starstarstarstarstar 		Gable's train displays
by: Ken

Years ago, at an obscure auction, I purchased the large trees that decorated the model train displays at Gables. As a child during the late 50's and early 60's my parents would give me a couple of bucks to buy something for everyone in the family. They would turn me loose on 11th avenue and tell me to meet them at Gables at a given time. I always ended up at the train display. Thus began my collection of model trains.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Fond memories of Downtown Altoona
by: Anonymous

I remember going shopping with my mother and sister starting in Gables(Oh the great smell of the cashews roasting when you entered).We loved the basement bargin floor.I still remember the shoe repair shop down there and the smells of the leather and glues.We would go to Walgreens for our lunch which consisted of a full course turkey dinner for .50.The Holly shop would have specials on dresses,2 for $5.00.For a special birthday my father took me to the New Idea and bought me a flowered suit!!I felt so special carrying it in the box they provided.Then we went to Wolf's to pick out my birthstone ring.They had a jewelery counter when you first entered the store.It was fun going into Texas hot dog and watching the man load his arm up with hot dogs and ladle on the sauce.Back then they were 3 for a dollar.Lots of memories from the 50's and 60's in good old Altoona.
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starstarstarstarstar 		My Memories
by: Bob Jones

I remember downtown so well from my childhood in the late 50's and early 60's.
I spent a lot of time in Gable's.
My Grandmother retired from there after twenty years about the time it was sold.
I loved Christmas shopping in Downtown Altoona.Before the malls. yuk!!!
I'm sure those Saturday afternoon movies were hot to sit through but we didn't care.Didn't know any better.
All the 5&10's, Bon Ton, and Traub's toy store.
I miss it all.
I'm in Fla. now but the memories have followed me.
Altoona will always be home to me.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Gable's Windows
by: Sue

My sister did windows in the mid '60s. Mr. Pennypacker was head of the windows when she was hired.
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starstarstarstarstar 		window dresser
by: Anonymous

does anyone know who created the displays for the windows for gables in the 1950's
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starstarstarstarstar 		There it is!
by: Alexandria

There's our classic "Matt" photo! :) Happy to find you put it up here, I love it.

Remember, don't ever give up on your dreams, one day Altoona will be just the way you envision it will be.

We have to go over for a visit, I'm sure it will be lots of fun, and will be great to meet up with you.

Take care!
Alexandria
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starstarstarstarstar 		Where to find photos of Downtown Altoona
by: Sue

Living in Texas, I miss my hometown. Luckily, Acadia Publishing, (2A Cumberland St. Charleston,SC 29401.) prints books about towns across America.
They are part of a series called Images of America. Among them are:

ALTOONA. 2001. Sr. Anne Frances Pulling.
ISBN:0-7385-0516-1

AROUND BLAIR COUNTY.2002.Sr. Anne Frances Pulling.ISBN: 0-7385-1024-6

ALTOONA AND LOGAN VALLEY ELECTRIC RAILWAY. (Images of Rail Series.) 2005. Leonard E.Alwine and David W.Seidel. ISBN 0-7385-3897-3.

The best in my opinion, is the Postcard History Series, ALTOONA. 2010.David W. Seidel.Acadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-7261-1.

Altoona bookstores carry them all. I hope you can find them.
They sure bring back memories. SUE
P.S. (You can order online ...www.arcadiapublishing.com.)
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starstarstarstar 		pictures
by: ed heverly

does any one have pictures of all of downtown during the redevelopement years. my grand father had endress market on 11th ave, across from olympic theater. i walked through all of the rubble during this period in time to go to altoona high. the people in charge back then destroyed the history of altoona when they raised down town.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Altoona Movie Theaters
by: Patricia

Hi Linda,

Yes, I remember the old theaters in downtown Altoona. The Sun Theater was actually on 8th Avenue and 12th Street, my dad had a fruit market on 7th Ave. and 12th Street, I was aloud to walk to the Sun Theater by myself and see a movie when I was pretty young. Of course times seemed so much safer in those days. My favorite theater was the Olympic Theater, I remember my dad would give me $1.00 to go to the movies on a Saturday and I'd stop at Coney Island Hot Dogs and have two hot dogs, a root beer, pay to get in the movies and buy snacks, enough to watch 4 movies. The Olympic always had Saturday special and the theater would be packed full of kids from all over Altoona. Those were some nice memories.

Do you remember the Rivili (can't remember how to spell that ha!) It was on Union Avenue, I remember going there to see "Gone With the Wind". Man did I cry when Charlotte's little girl was killed...ha! Really showing my age here.

Patricia
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starstarstarstarstar 		downtown altoona in 1950's
by: linda

i remember the movie theaters so well. i would like to know if anyone remembers the strand and the lyric sun theaters and where they were in altoona..i also remember a theater called the stand...i think it was on 11th avenue also...i will check back to see if you have an answer...
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starstarstarstarstar 		nice
by: Anonymous

fine pictures.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Downtown Altoona
by: Mark

Great comments and they really bring back memories.

I can remember Saturdays, walking into town from the East End....usually to go to a matinee at the Capitol or State theater.

Everyone would buy their Converse sneakers at Shulman's & at $10.00 a pair.....they were the top of the line.

We would purchase our "Matchbox" cars at the Bon-Ton.....and yes, Christmas was special.

Remember how they decorated downtown & the Gable's windows.....would love to go back!
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starstarstarstarstar 		I know the corner well
by: George Bloom

I know this corner very well, up until 2010 my Uncle Max (Bud ) Schendelmelier lived in the apartment above the corner store, it was a coffee shop, art shop, etc , he passed away at the age of 93, so I would visit him weekly and he would be looking out the corner window first floor as I drove up along the post office/bus terminal to pick him up, his original home was 929 27street for many years! brings back memories!
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starstarstarstarstar 		gables
by: susie

i remember taking my son to gables to see miss patty from romper room on tv in 1967 or 68
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starstarstarstarstar 		Gales
by: Charles Hoff

I remember this store from my early youth. First living in Holidaysburg, then in State College in 1945. It was for many years the only department store I knew. Cinders in the eyes, during WW II, streetcar from Holidaysburg and the Floorwalker, Mr. Little who my parents had to find to get his approval to cash a check.

These trips, to go shopping, usually ended with a meal at The Dutch Kitchen as well.

I guess this is all gone!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Gable yardstick
by: Anonymous

I have a wooden yardstick from William F. Gable. Was in my Dad's things when he passed.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Christmas
by: David

Let get really real here. In Altoona in the 50s and 60s, Downtown Altoona was just like the movie "A Christmas Story." We would trudge in the snow and slushy streets with our parents who go to Gables and drop us off to see Santa while they went off to buy gifts. We always knew Santa was in town by the Christmas Parade. I can still feel my chest pounding by the base drum as it passed by. Today the kids don't know of this magical entrancement that happened when I was a kid, but it still lives on every Christmas as I reflect how it used to be. Oh, my brother and I were just like Ralphy and his brother. Those snow suits where murder.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Gables
by: Anonymous

I remember going there with my mother and seeing all the ladies with their hats and gloves on. i have my fathers credit card from gables and a 50th. anniversary dinner plate also. also a small metal plaque that says The William F Gable Co. Department Store, Altoona. Not sure what its from but it was in my dad's things that i found when he passed away. the plates belonged to my mother and my sister and I inherited them when she passed.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Altoona Memories
by: Hope

I remember DownTown Altoona as a little girl my Grandmother worked at Gables in the Restaurant and on her days off we would go to McCroyes for lunch they had the best french fries with gravy. I also remember going to Schulmens to buy our school uniforms I went to a Catholic Grade school.
Like I said I was a little girl back then and am now in my forties but I do remember Downtown Altoona and it was nice. It needs to be revitalized but it will never be like it was when I was growing up.
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starstarstarstarstar 		The New Idea
by: Susan

I rembember The New Idea.
Before my mom and dad married she worked there as a sales girl. Her dad did the advertising and window displays. That was in the '30's and early 40's. My dad told me the owner set aside a certain amount of clothing for the poorer children who lived up "in the mountains" and that a certain gentleman would send in a list to the store of the children's sizes. Mother would fill those orders and wrap them in paper and string. He ordered good shoes for them, too.
As I got older, (50') we watched the various parades from the upstairs window in the men's department. Most of all, I thought it was really grown up to step up that little step into the ladies department and out of the children's department. Each year, my mother would pick out an Easter dress for me, there. In her working days, mother and the sales girls went "down street" to buy a piece of Fiesta Ware, for about a 10 to 25 cents a piece. After the Japanese hit Pearl Harbor, all the stores put out all the merchandise made in Japan. (At that time, most items were stamped "Made in Japan" or "Nippon." Just a little history here. Thanks so much! Sue

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starstarstarstarstar 		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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starstarstarstarstar 		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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starstarstarstarstar 		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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starstarstarstarstar 		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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starstarstarstarstar 		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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starstarstarstarstar 		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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starstarstarstarstar 		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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starstarstarstarstar 		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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