Gallitzin, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gallitzin, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Western portal of the Gallitzin Tunnel
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Location of Gallitzin in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
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 Gallitzin, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Cambria |
| Settled | 1849 |
| Incorporated | 1873 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.74 sq mi (1.91 km2) |
| • Land | 0.74 sq mi (1.91 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,225 ft (678 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,536 |
| • Density | 2,078.48/sq mi (802.86/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
16641
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| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-28328 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1215022 |
Gallitzin is a small town, called a borough, located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. It sits right on the Eastern continental divide, which is like a natural line where rainwater flows either east towards the Atlantic Ocean or west towards the Gulf of Mexico. Gallitzin is famous for its important railroad tunnels that help trains cross the Allegheny Mountains. These tunnels made it much easier to travel and transport goods between the eastern and western parts of the country.
Contents
History of Gallitzin
Early Native American Presence
Long ago, around the 1620s, Dutch traders might have visited this area. The town is on a mountain pass that was part of old Native American trails, like the Kittanning Path. The land here was home to the Erie people and Susquehannock peoples. They used these trails for hunting and trading.
By the early 1700s, the Delaware people moved to Western Pennsylvania. They settled along rivers, and one of their main towns was Kittanning. During the French and Indian War, these towns often sided with the French. Later, the Mingo people also lived in this area.
Building the Railroad
As the American Revolution ended, people discovered iron and coal west of the mountains. This led to more settlers traveling through the area. In 1824, a big plan called the Main Line of Public Works started. It aimed to connect Pittsburgh and Philadelphia using canals.
By 1838, this plan changed to include the new and faster railroad technology. In 1845, the Pennsylvania government decided that the new Pennsylvania Railroad must cross the mountains. This is how Gallitzin began, originally called 'Summit Tunnel'.
Gallitzin: A Railroad Town
Gallitzin is about 12 miles (19 km) west of Altoona. It became an official town in 1872. It was named after Prince Gallitzin, who founded the nearby Catholic town of Loretto.
The town grew because of its industries:
- Coal mining: Digging for coal was a major job.
- Railroad yard: The Pennsylvania Railroad had a large area in the town center.
- Coke production: Making coke (a type of fuel from coal) was also important.
Today, Gallitzin still has an active rail yard. It also has two important rail tunnels that lead towards the famous PRR Horseshoe Curve.
Population and Location
In 1900, about 2,759 people lived in Gallitzin. By 1910, this number grew to 3,504. According to the 2010 United States Census, the population was 1,668. In 2020, it was 1,536.
Gallitzin is considered part of the Johnstown area by the US Census. However, many local people think of it as part of the Altoona area because it is closer to Altoona.
Tourist Attractions
Gallitzin is well-known for its historic Gallitzin Tunnels. These tunnels attract visitors who are interested in railroads. The beautiful Horseshoe Curve and the Allegheny Portage Railroad historic site are also close by.
Geography of Gallitzin
Gallitzin is located in the eastern part of Cambria County. It sits on the edge of the Allegheny Plateau. This area has hills and small streams. The land here is different from the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians to the east.
The town is right on the eastern Continental divide. The land drops quickly to the east, creating steep landforms. The total area of Gallitzin is about 0.73 square miles (1.9 km2), and it's all land.
Gallitzin is one of the highest towns in Pennsylvania. Its elevation is about 2,167 feet (661 m) above sea level.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 799 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,392 | 199.4% | |
| 1900 | 2,759 | 15.3% | |
| 1910 | 3,504 | 27.0% | |
| 1920 | 3,580 | 2.2% | |
| 1930 | 3,458 | −3.4% | |
| 1940 | 3,618 | 4.6% | |
| 1950 | 3,102 | −14.3% | |
| 1960 | 2,783 | −10.3% | |
| 1970 | 2,496 | −10.3% | |
| 1980 | 2,315 | −7.3% | |
| 1990 | 2,003 | −13.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,756 | −12.3% | |
| 2010 | 1,668 | −5.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,536 | −7.9% | |
| Sources: | |||
As of the census in 2000, there were 1,756 people living in Gallitzin. There were 700 households and 476 families. The population density was about 2,396.0 inhabitants per square mile (925.1/km2).
Most of the people living in Gallitzin were White (98.86%). A small number of people were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 0.85% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 30.1% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.51 people. The average family had 3.10 people.
The population was spread out by age:
- 23.1% were under 18 years old.
- 9.9% were from 18 to 24 years old.
- 28.6% were from 25 to 44 years old.
- 21.9% were from 45 to 64 years old.
- 16.6% were 65 years or older.
The average age in the borough was 37 years.
Famous People from Gallitzin
Many interesting people have come from Gallitzin, including:
- Robert E. Casey: A former State Treasurer for Pennsylvania.
- Pauline Frederick: A groundbreaking journalist.
- Gertrude McDermott: A Catholic Benedictine nun.
- Don Rittner: An author, filmmaker, and historian.
- Robert Peary: A famous explorer and naval officer.
- Mildred Weston: A talented composer.
See also
In Spanish: Gallitzin para niños
