Pittsburgh’s Soldiers & Sailors Hall Preserving Military History
January 5, 2018
Increase Your Chances of Surviving a House Fire
January 30, 2018Cambria County was formed in 1804 and was once a part of Bedford, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties. It is not certain why the name Cambria was chosen for this new county, but the Latin name for the country of Wales is Cambria. Coal is abundant in the Cambria county, and perhaps that is why the county took the name of Wales, which is known for coal mining. The county seat is Ebensburg, and its largest city is Johnstown. Here are some of the attractions found in Cambria county:
Allegheny Portage Railroad
This National Historic site preserves Pennsylvania’s first railroad to cross the Allegheny mountains. A series of inclined planes connected on either end to portions of the Pennsylvania Canal. Before the railroad, it took 23 days to travel from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh by Conestoga Wagon. After the railroad, it reduced that time to four days. There are several buildings to explore at the site.
Johnstown Flood Museum
The Johnstown Flood Museum is a history museum dedicated to the Flood of 1889, which took more than 2,000 lives after the local dam failed. Located in the former Cambria Public Library, the museum chronicles the events of the flood through exhibits and media. Read more about the flood here.
Johnstown Inclined Plane
Pittsburgh isn’t the only place in western Pennsylvania home to an incline. Johnstown boasts one of the steepest funiculars with a 70.9% grade. The Johnstown Inclined Plane has been in operation since 1891 and still transports riders between the city of Johnstown and the borough of Westmont on Yoder Hill.
Laurel Ridge State Park
Located adjacent to Ohiopyle, Laurel Ridge State Park is a 13,625 acre-park and includes the 70-mile long Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. In addition to hiking, the park offers cross-country skiing, camping, and snowmobiling. The park is particularly beautiful when the numerous mountain laurels and rhododendrons are in .
Prince Gallitzin State Park
Pittsburgh isn’t the only place in western Pennsylvania home to an incline. Johnstown boasts one of the steepest funiculars with a 70.9% grade. The Johnstown Inclined Plane has been in operation since 1891 and still transports riders between the city of Johnstown and the borough of Westmont on Yoder Hill.
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art
This museum has five locations and one of them is in Johnstown. Located on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art features the works of local, regional, national and international artists.
