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Charles J. LaMark of Altoona submitted this 1949 aerial photo of the Cricket Field in Altoona. Nestled between Altoona Hospital, Logantown and the Pennsylvania Railroad Shops, the ball diamond and bleachers are visible just off Chestnut Avenue. The pathways and the many trees display a beautiful green space in the tree park. The park had bench seating and lighting along all the pathways. Closer to Howard Avenue toward the hospital were swings, a sliding board, see-saws and a wooden bandstand for musicians. The ballpark completely closed in 1961 and the tree park became fully devioured in the following decade by Blair Medical Center.
Readers are encouraged to send or deliver old local photographs of general interest for use in Yesteryear. Information about people and places should be included. Photos must be 30 years old or older and should be sent to Yesteryear, Altoona Mirror, P.O. Box 2008, Altoona, PA 16603, or emailed to community@altoonamirror.com. For more information, call Brenda Carberry, community news coordinator, at 814-946-7459.
Rabbi Nathan N. Kaber of Altoona was to attend the dedication of the Union House of Living Judaism new National Center of Reform Judaism Oct. 28 in New York City. The Union House was founded in 1872 and this was the first such center in the United States.
Mid-State Bank sponsored a downtown record hop
Mid-State Bank sponsored a downtown record hop for teens at the Penn Alto Hotel, with John Harrison of WFBG Radio spinning the records. The event was filmed for the bank’s time vault to be opened in
100 years.
Altoona Police set up a safety radar stop near Irving Elementary and Keith Junior High Schools and said many cars were speeding. Tickets could not be issued because police were using radar, which state law prohibited using for traffic tickets.
A group of residents of the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home were upset with the home when it limited them to three beers and not being allowed to order them themselves at the bar on a monthly visit to the Tyrone VFW and then the canceling of the visits. The state Department of Military Affairs said the VFW was not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Altoona Water Department was asking Altoona voters
The Altoona Water Department was asking Altoona voters to approve a new Mill Run Dam at a cost of $3.5 million that would also include other water improvement projects. A study showed that Altoona would need much more water than it currently uses.
Three Altoona brothers serving in the Army had a reunion in Japan: Maj. Thomas, S/Sgt. Walter and S/Sgt. Rhymer Myers. All three were veterans of World War II. Two other brothers were also in the service: 2nd/Lt. Orvis and Cpl. Robert, as well as husbands of two of their sisters.
Former Altoona Congressman James E. Van Zandt oversaw the planting of two Medal of Honor trees on the grounds of the Altoona VA Hospital, one for Tyrone native, the late William A. Sitman and one for Robert E. Laws, the area’s only living medal winner.
The Altoona Jaycees teamed with the Altoona CB
The Altoona Jaycees teamed with the Altoona CB Radio Club. Logan Township Police, Vaul Rouzer chief and Altoona Police, Dan Disabato chief, were to provide a Halloween patrol to ensure safety for the kids trick of treating.
Amtrak police were investigating an incident at the Altoona Transportation Center when a New York City man was pulled off the train for making some kind of a threat. He was taken to the Community Crisis Center at Altoona Hospital. Amtrak had heightened security since the 9/11 attacks.
The Blair County Election Board, which had almost 500 workers staffing the voting precincts making from $58 to $85, approved a $5 increase in pay. The workers opened the polls, conducted the election for 13 hours and submitted the results.
Five businesses were inducted into the Blair County
Five businesses were inducted into the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame in ceremonies at the Blair County Convention Center: Manpower Inc., Park Furniture, Stiffler McGraw, Teeter Group and the former Little Shop/Country Mouse.
Two local contractors were recognized for Excellence in Construction by the PA Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors: Leonard S. Fiore Inc. of Altoona and Earthmovers Unlimited Inc. of Kylertown. They were now eligible to compete at the national level.
National, world news on this date
In 1929, a massive sell-off at the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange led to chaos as stockbrokers couldn’t keep up with trade requests. Though the market recovered some losses by the end of the day, “Black Thursday” marked the beginning of the Wall Street Crash of 1929.
In 1931, the George Washington Bridge, connecting New
In 1931, the George Washington Bridge, connecting New York City with New Jersey, was dedicated. It was the world’s longest suspension bridge at the time.
In 1929, former Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall was convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for oil field leases at Teapot Dome in Wyoming and the Elk Hills and Buena Vista oil fields in California. As a result of the “Teapot Dome scandal” Fall would become the first U.S. Cabinet member to be imprisoned for crimes committed while in office.
In 1999, golfer Payne Stewart and five others were killed when their Learjet lost cabin pressure, flew hundreds of miles off course on autopilot, and crashed in a field in South Dakota. Stewart was 42.
Local news compiled by Tim Doyle. National, world news from The Associated Press.
Source: www.altoonamirror.com
