A very active city

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like the incline, and I notice that there is a pedestrian bridge over the highway.

 

I have to wonder. Can you tell me if the incline remains in business as an attraction, or is actually used for transportation?

In some respects downtown looks a little better than it did when I was there in 2006; some of the buildings appear to have been spruced up somewhat. Sadly, though, the flatiron building beside the river has deteriorated even farther, losing still more of its cornice and roof. When that one goes, it will be a sad loss to the downtown fabric.

 

Did you visit the National Flood Memorial, at the site of the failed dam? Johnstown has had numerous floods because of its valley location that catches massive runoff from heavy rains, but the 1889 flood commemorated by the memorial is the one that most people refer to when they speak of The Johnstown Flood. The exhibits and film there really helped me grasp the magnitude of what happened then.

 

The incline still is used as transportation, and is part of the city's public transit system. It was opened in 1891, at least partly in response to a need to be able to more efficiently evacuate citizens when flash flooding threatened. It is billed as the world's steepest vehicular incline. As on mass transit systems in most, if not all, Pennsylvania cities, senior fares are paid by state lottery proceeds. All I had to do was show my Medicare card, and I rode free.

 

It's an interesting city and area; in 2006 I stopped by there en route home from Coolspring Power Museum, near Brookville. I intended to ride the incline and spend a couple of hours looking around. I ended up spending the whole day, staying overnight, and spending most of the next day before continuing homeward. I felt like I could have spent still more time there.

I'd call Johnstown many things but "active" wouldn't be one of them from the times I've been there, though certainly better than Altoona.  Hollidaysburg is the true winner of that whole region of Pennsylvania but Johnstown is certainly interesting.

^I might have hit a great day, but the town square and downtown were bustling with people when I was in Johnstown.

Must've been tax-refund time.