Gallitzin Township appeals to those escaping city life
Gallitzin Township is a rural community located amid the hills and woods of the Allegheny Plateau. The township shares its name with the Borough of Gallitzin, a historic railroad and mining community with more populated neighborhoods and several businesses. While the railroad still has a presence, the hills that long supported industry now offer scenic views for those seeking a slower-paced life. “Well, it is pretty,” says Lynn Murphy, a Realtor with Perry Wellington Realty. “It’s close to Altoona, which is the bigger city there. Or Johnstown, if you go south. It’s like a bedroom community of those two cities. It’s worth it for people if they don’t want to have to put up with being in the city.”
Housing includes ranch-style and Colonial Revival homes
In the township, two-lane roads with no sidewalks pass by homes on spacious, hilly lots. Lots under a third of an acre are common in the borough, but properties in the rural township can easily pass 10 acres. Mature trees surround many homes in the rural areas, and some residents live among dense woods. Houses in the area include ranch-style, manufactured and Colonial Revival homes. House and lot sizes affect costs, and many homes in the borough sell between $70,000 and $190,000. “You can easily get in the $99,000 to $129,000 range,” Murphy says. “I would say, in that area, it would be rare to find a lot over $175,000, unless it’s something special.” Costs are higher in the more spacious rural areas, where several homes sell between $200,000 and $470,000.
Area restaurants serve pizzas, desserts and wine
Restaurants here include the Burger Hut, which has a walk-up window counter and a pavilion with a few tables for patrons who want to eat outside. Visitors to the Woody Lodge Winery can sample wines and snack on meat and cheese plates as they take in views of the natural scenery. The Iron Horse Bar & Grille is a night-time hangout serving pizzas, buffalo wings and beers. The bar offers a place to play pool, and its tables double as frames for local photos and newspaper clippings. Located over 10 miles east, the Altoona and Hollidaysburg area offers grocery and retail shopping with chains like Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Mountain bikers have several destinations
Just east of the township, the Horseshoe Curve Trails system has several miles of forested paths popular among the area’s mountain bikers. Located 15 miles north, Prince Gallitzin State Park offers more mountain biking trails. In addition to bikers, the more than 30 miles of trails across the park’s forests draw hikers and winter snowmobilers. In the heart of the park, Glendale Lake is a boating and fishing destination. Residents looking for indoor activities can join a league at the High Rollers Bowling Center.
Students may attend various Penn Cambria schools
Students may attend several different schools, depending on their grade. Penn Cambria Pre-Primary serves kindergarteners and first graders and receives a B-minus from Niche. Students may then finish their elementary years at Penn Cambria Intermediate and Penn Cambria Middle, both of which get a C-plus. Penn Cambria High School covers seventh to 12th grades and gets a B-minus. In 2024, the high school’s football team won conference and district titles and reached the state semi-finals. The district has plans to add an extension to the high school that will house second to sixth graders.
Annual events include strawberry and apple cider celebrations
Community events include the annual Strawberry Festival in nearby Cresson. In early June, the Cresson Presbyterian Church invites guests to treat themselves to strawberry shortcake and participate in silent auctions. Other popular events in the area include October’s Apple Cider Festival. The Prince Gallitzin State Park event brings in many craft vendors and hay rides.
Commuters have a direct route to Altoona
Many here drive to get around the region, and they have access to a few highways. Pennsylvania Route 36 passes through the area and goes to Altoona. The nearby city has one of the nearest hospitals, the nonprofit and 390-bed UPMC Altoona. About 30 miles south, the Johnstown Airport offers some commercial flights.
Newcomers can expect winter snow
Those new to the area should expect typical winter weather. The area gets roughly 40 to 50 inches of snow a year, much more than in other places like Philadelphia.
