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Lakemont Park and Blair County Ballpark

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1893 park; 1999 stadium, Louis D. Astorino and Associates. Frankstown Rd. (PA 1009) at Lakemont Park Blvd.
  • (William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (William E. Fischer, Jr.)
  • (William E. Fischer, Jr.)

In 1893, the six-year-old Altoona and Logan Valley Electric Railway Company opened Lakemont Park on 113 acres. The park included a thirteen-acre artificial lake and a wood-framed casino. It was accessible to both Altoona and Hollidaysburg residents by a trolley that ultimately expanded into an interurban line linking several central Pennsylvania cities. Today, the park has over thirty rides and a waterslide park. Lakemont Park is also home to Leap the Dips of 1902, a National Historic Landmark and the world's oldest and the last remaining side-friction roller coaster. The ride begins with a push from the attendant and reaches a rollicking ten miles an hour at its fastest. It was restored by private donations between 1997 and 1999, and reopened. The park is adjacent to the Blair County Ballpark, home of the Altoona Curve baseball team that is affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The stadium, designed by Louis D. Astorino and Associates, seats 6,200.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Lu Donnelly et al.
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Data

What's Nearby

H. Dean Allison Insurance Agency (Llyswen Station)
Blair County Convention Center
Knickerbocker
Blair County Historical Society (Elias Baker Mansion)
Woman's Club of Altoona (Allegheny Furnace)

Citation

Lu Donnelly et al., "Lakemont Park and Blair County Ballpark", [Altoona, Pennsylvania], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/PA-01-BL22.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of PA vol 1

Buildings of Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Lu Donnelly, H. David Brumble IV, and Franklin Toker. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2010, 333-333.

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