Classroom

<p>After the original courthouse was destroyed in a fire, this stately structure was built in 1876. The current Blair County Courthouse includes five courtrooms, a law library and offices for each of the commissioner. It also houses several other government offices. </p>

More Info

Blair County Courthouse was built in 1876 and was Hollidaysburg's second courthouse. The building continues to serve as the local courthouse today. 

Blair County Courthouse

Take a trip through history with the Historic Downtown walking tour of Hollidaysburg, passing sites such as the Blair County Courthouse, The Diamond/Public Square, Phoenix Fire House, Highland Hall, and The Presbyterian Church. This tour is a work in progress by faculty at Penn State Altoona.  


Historic Downtown Hollidaysburg

Admin

Four particular points of interest within the Diamond are the Capital Hotel, The Hollidaysburg Trust Company building (originially First National Bank), the Condron Opera House, and the American House which no longer resides in the Diamond. An abundance of history and significance lie within these four corners of Hollidaysburg's public square. To get the full story on these buildings, go to the official Hollidaysburg Walking Tour website listed below.

This public square, nicknamed "The Diamond" located at the intersection of Montgomery Street and Allegheny Street. It remained a commercial and social hub of Hollidaysburg for many years during the peak of the railroad and mainline canal operation.  <a href="https://sites.psu.edu/hollidaysburghistory/">click for more</a ...

The Diamond/Public Square

This locations is where the old Firehouse use to be. This was the first home of Phoenix Volunteer Fire company with the steamer in Blair County. This house was destroyed by a fire in 1902.On March 1st 1871 was when Phoenix steam fire engine company was first initialized and then in 1872 the Allegheny Hook and Latter company was formed. in February 1837 the borough purchased its first fire engine built by Jacob in December 1837 the made the first attempt but wasn't successful till 1838 meeting at the U.s Hotel. 1840-1841 was the first company organized called Diamond Engine company.

Old Phoenix Firehouse

Originally named Courthouse Annex, Highland Hall is a four-story building that was built in 1865. It was intended to be a school for both sexes, however was only a school for females. It served as "24-hour radio operator training facility for the Women’s Army Corp, during World War II" (pawalkworks.com). In 1969, Highland Hall became a building used for office space for the county Courthouse Annex. Furthermore, planted on the site, a "moon tree" that was taken into orbit during a Apollo Mission is located here. 
For more intriguing information, click <a href="https://sites.psu.edu/hollidaysburghistory">here</a> !


Highland Hall 

The First Presbyterian Church is situated at 500 Penn St. which is located on the northeast corner of Penn and Walnut street. It has been a church since the start of 1788. The original chapel burned down in 1850, but service still continued in the courthouse. The new chapel was built in 1870 and still stands at its current location. click <a href="https://sites.psu.edu/hollidaysburghistory">here</a> for more information

First Presbyterian Church

Hollidaysburg Post Office

House of the canal contractor Nicholas Hewit, who made a fortune off the canal's construction and use.

Historic Downtown Hollidaysburg

Blair County Courthouse

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Additional Information