YELLer Research Projects

Bryana Morton, 13

Old Logan House

The old Logan House was built in 1853. The Logan House was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad. It was known to all as a famous city landmark and hotel. The hotel’s construction site was later used for a Post Office. Most of the Altoona people thought the building would be razed, and their thoughts were correct. The first register of Altoona’s famous Logan House, containing the signatures of many persons famous in the industry, government, and the arts is the prized possession of Floyd G. Hoenstine.

Jenna Musa, 13

Ivyside Park

A 1930 postcard view of Ivyside Amusement Park shows the warming pond that is now the focal point of the Altoona Campus. The park closed in the early 1940s, a victim of the Depression Years followed by gasoline rationing.

They organized a campaign to raise $50,000 to purchase Ivyside Park, an abandoned amusement park on the outskirts of Altoona. The Harry E. Slep Student Center is one of the sixteen modern buildings built around the reflecting pond, once the warming pond for the old Ivyside Park swimming pool.

Andre Morton, 13

Mishler Theater

Doc Mishler was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on September 30, 1862. Early in 1932 Mr. Mishler’s wife, Molly Grass of Hollidaysburg, whom he had married in 1891 died. And in 1935 he married Alice Gleason Sweeny. On May 8, 1944 at the age of 81, Mr. Mishler died in the Penn Alto Hotel where he had lived for many years. He was survived by his wife who died on July 30, 1956. The Mishler Theater was built in 1906.

Lydia Berry, 13

The Loyal War Governor’s Conference

Held at the Logan House hotel in Altoona, PA on September 24 and 25, 1862. Thirteen northern governors were in attendance. They talked about the war effort, support of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the removal of General George B. McClellan. The conference was hosted by PA Governor Andrew G. Curtin. McClellan was relieved of command less than two months later. The Emancipation Proclamation became law January 1, 1863. Countries such as Britain were prevented from supporting the Confederacy. President Lincoln was able to issue such a document with a new sense of authority and command.