Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
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Hollidaysburg skyline
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Location of Hollidaysburg in Blair County, Pennsylvania (left) and of Blair County in Pennsylvania (right)
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Map of Blair County highlighting Hollidaysburg
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Blair County |
| Settled | 1768 |
| Incorporated (borough) | 1836 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.33 sq mi (6.03 km2) |
| • Land | 2.33 sq mi (6.03 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,011 ft (308 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,641 |
| • Density | 2,421.03/sq mi (934.73/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Zip Code |
16648
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| Area code(s) | 814 |
| FIPS code | 42-35224 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1214942 |
| Website | http://hollidaysburgpa.org |
Hollidaysburg is a small town, also called a borough, in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is the main town, or county seat, of Blair County. Hollidaysburg is located along the Juniata River, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Altoona.
This town was once an important port. From 1834 to 1854, it was a key stop on the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. Here, the Juniata Division Canal connected to the Allegheny Portage Railroad. This made it a busy place for trade and travel.
Today, the center of Hollidaysburg is often called "The Diamond." This is where buildings and parking areas form a diamond shape. It's a popular spot for parades, festivals, and other town events. In 2020, about 5,641 people lived here.
Contents
History of Hollidaysburg
Hollidaysburg was first planned out in 1796. It was named after Adam and William Holliday, who were Irish immigrants and founded the settlement. By 1814, it had a few houses and a tavern.
The town became a major transfer point between the Pennsylvania Canal and the Portage Railroad. This made it a gateway to western Pennsylvania. The canal and railroad helped Hollidaysburg grow a lot in the 1830s. In 1836, it officially became a borough.
When Blair County was formed in 1846, Hollidaysburg was chosen as the county seat. This meant it became the center for government and law. Many politicians and lawyers moved to the borough, helping it to thrive.
In 1903, the Pennsylvania Railroad built a large switching yard here. This is where train cars are sorted and moved. US 22, a major road, was also directed through the borough. The Pennsylvania Railroad also built the Hollidaysburg Car Shop. This shop helped with the busy work of the Altoona Shops. Years later, Conrail also built a car recycling plant on the same land. Today, the Hollidaysburg Reclamation plant and car shop are still working. They are now run by the Norfolk Southern Railway Corporation.
Hollidaysburg Historic District
Hollidaysburg has a special historic district. This district was created in 1989 to protect the town's unique old buildings and history. Rules are in place to control changes, additions, new buildings, and tearing down old ones in this area.
The Hollidaysburg Historic District covers the central part of the borough. It includes about 400 buildings. These buildings are grouped by their importance to history and architecture.
A group called the Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB) helps manage changes in the district. This board has seven members. If someone wants to make changes to a building, they need to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). The HARB reviews these requests and gives advice to the borough council. The council then makes the final decision. If approved, a COA is given, and a permit is issued for the work.
The Hollidaysburg Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Two important buildings in the district are the Blair County Courthouse and Highland Hall.
Geography and Population
Hollidaysburg covers an area of about 2.4 square miles (6.03 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
The population of Hollidaysburg has changed over the years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 1,896 | — | |
| 1850 | 2,430 | 28.2% | |
| 1860 | 2,469 | 1.6% | |
| 1870 | 2,952 | 19.6% | |
| 1880 | 3,150 | 6.7% | |
| 1890 | 2,975 | −5.6% | |
| 1900 | 2,998 | 0.8% | |
| 1910 | 3,734 | 24.5% | |
| 1920 | 4,071 | 9.0% | |
| 1930 | 5,969 | 46.6% | |
| 1940 | 5,910 | −1.0% | |
| 1950 | 6,483 | 9.7% | |
| 1960 | 6,475 | −0.1% | |
| 1970 | 6,262 | −3.3% | |
| 1980 | 5,892 | −5.9% | |
| 1990 | 5,624 | −4.5% | |
| 2000 | 5,368 | −4.6% | |
| 2010 | 5,791 | 7.9% | |
| 2020 | 5,641 | −2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 5,368 people living in the borough. Most residents were White (98.19%). About 20.5% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age was 42 years. The median income for a family was $43,209. About 8.8% of the population lived below the poverty line.
Education in Hollidaysburg
Students in Hollidaysburg attend schools in the Hollidaysburg Area School District.
Emergency Services
Hollidaysburg has its own police, fire, and ambulance services to keep everyone safe.
Hollidaysburg Police Department
The Hollidaysburg Police Department is located in the borough building. It has eight full-time police officers. They use three Dodge Charger patrol cars and one Dodge Durango. Officers work 24 hours a day, responding to over 4,000 calls each year.
Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department
The fire department is called the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department. It is an all-volunteer department and has been serving the community for over 100 years. About 20 active volunteers respond to fires, car accidents, medical calls, and other public service needs. They use four fire vehicles and respond to about 500 calls each year.
Hollidaysburg American Legion Ambulance Service
Ambulance services are provided by the Hollidaysburg American Legion Ambulance Service. This service started in 1939 with one volunteer ambulance. Today, it has grown a lot. It employs full-time and part-time staff, including EMTs and paramedics.
The service operates four ambulances 24 hours a day. They cover Hollidaysburg and several nearby towns and townships. They also help ambulance services in parts of Bedford County. The service responds to about 5,500 emergency calls and non-emergency transports each year. Their fleet includes 8 ambulances, 4 wheelchair vans, and 1 medic response vehicle. The main station is on Scotch Valley Road in Hollidaysburg.
Notable People from Hollidaysburg
Many interesting people have come from Hollidaysburg:
- Jeff Bower — A leader and coach in the NBA (National Basketball Association).
- Charlie Brenneman — A professional mixed martial arts fighter.
- James S. Frazer — A judge on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- Hedda Hopper — A famous Hollywood gossip columnist.
- Maxwell Hunter — An aerospace engineer who designed aircraft and spacecraft.
- Adam Huber — An actor.
- Harold L. Ickes — Served as the Secretary of the Interior for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Betty James — She came up with the name for the popular toy, the Slinky. Her husband, Richard T. James, invented it.
- Sam Lafferty — An NHL (National Hockey League) player for the Vancouver Canucks.
- Wallace McCamant — A jurist, which means a legal expert or judge.
- Samuel Rea — Was the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1913 to 1925.
- Luke Rhodes — A long snapper for the Indianapolis Colts in American football.
- Wade Schalles — A two-time NCAA collegiate wrestling champion.
- Red Whittaker — A roboticist, meaning someone who designs and builds robots.
- Daniel Hale Williams — An African-American surgeon and a pioneer in cardiac surgery (heart surgery).
See also
In Spanish: Hollidaysburg para niños
