Rural Blair County community with a popular amusement park
Founded as a stop on the Pennsylvania Railroad line from Altoona to Tyrone, Tipton is a sleepy Blair County community that has remained largely rural – with one major exception. DelGrosso's Amusement Park and Laguna Splash Water Park in Tipton has been operated by the DelGrosso family for nearly 80 years. The DelGrosso family immigrated to Altoona from Italy in the early 1900s to work in the town's booming railroad industry. They have operated the amusement park since 1946, when they purchased the property from the original owner, Fred Bland. "All of Tipton was a huge, flat hunk of land. There used to be a speedway and an airport strip there, but in time, the park took over most of that property. It's a major water park for this part of the state," says Bob Baranik, lifetime resident of the nearby town of Altoona, about 10 miles southwest. He says that, although Tipton is very close to Interstate 99 and State College (home to Penn State University), it has few commercial or residential developments. "I always say to the county commissioners that they need to get some money in Tipton, but I do think getting water and sewage out there would be expensive."
Roller coasters and hiking in the Alleghenies
DelGrosso's Amusement Park and Laguna Splash Water Park operates between May and September and has roller coasters, kiddie rides and waterslides. Visitors can spot the Park's Italian theme in details like the Leaning Tower of Pisa water feature. The surrounding Allegheny Mountains are visible from inside the park, creating a peaceful and scenic backdrop to the summer fun. Residents can explore the mountains more at nearby state parks, such as Prince Gallitzin State Park and Canoe Creek State Park, both about 20 miles from Tipton. Both parks have miles of hiking trails and swimming lakes set within the densely forested, gently sloping mountain range.
Tipton's keen kayakers can enjoy the calm water of Glendale Lake at Prince Gallitzin State Park.
The Northern Blair County Recreation Center serves multiple communities in the Tipton, PA area.
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DelGrosso's famous Italian food in Tipton
DelGrosso's Amusement Park has most of the community's restaurants, including Pasta Fresca, where visitors create their own pasta, sauce and topping combinations. Since entry into the amusement park is free, purchasing food at DelGrosso's has no extra charge. "They have the best food in the area," says Sue Kuhn, longtime Altoona resident. "The DelGrosso family manufactures and distributes Italian food all over the country, and you can pick up their meals from the park." Baranik says the family manufactures its own brand of pasta sauces in addition to manufacturing sauces for private labels. The DelGrosso Foods warehouse is also located just outside Tipton. For quick errands, there's Rossi's Corner Store or Dollar General. Larger grocery store Martin's is about 6 miles southwest, off Pleasant Valley Boulevard. Tipton has some industry, including a Vitro Automotive Glass plant and ORX Railway Corporation plant, which produces train wheels.
Rossi's Corner Store is a local hub and the only year-round retail option in Tipton, PA.
Tipton's residents can access a plethora of amenities and retail gems in nearby Tyrone, PA.
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Events at DelGrosso's Amusement Park
DelGrosso's Amusement Park hosts its Italian Food and Heritage Festival each year in September. During the celebration, families can purchase ride passes at discounted rates, and festivalgoers enjoy live Italian music and Italian foods, including pastas with the DelGrosso's signature sauces. "Their Italian spaghetti sauce is hard to beat," Baranik says. The amusement park also closes out its season at the end of September with Harvestfest. Crowds flock to close out the summer season at the Park, which has a petting zoo, street entertainers and craft vendors in addition to its regular park rides.
Farmland and suburban housing throughout Tipton
Tipton, although surrounded by mountains, has flat terrain. Houses sit off of main roads like Pleasant Valley Boulevard and Tipton Road rather than in subdivisions, and farmland covers much of the area. "I'm amazed that the Tipton area has not really been expanded to include the amenities to encourage more housing developments," Baranik says, noting the amount of open land. Homes in Tipton include classic suburban styles like split levels and ranches built between the 1950s and '70s. A few Colonial Revivals and farmhouses built in the late 1800s and early 1900s can be found throughout the community. Most homes cost between $125,000 and $275,000, depending on their size and condition.
Tipton is a rural community in Antis Township, part of Blair County, Pennsylvania.
Colonial Revivals built in the late 1800s and early 1900s can also be found in the Tipton area.
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Children attend the Bellwood-Antis School District
Tipton doesn't have any schools within its boundaries. Instead, students attend school nearby in Bellwood, about 4 miles southwest. Children typically start at Lewis M. Myers Elementary School, which earns a B grade from Niche, before continuing to Bellwood-Antis Middle School and Bellwood-Antis High School, which both earn B-minuses. Juniors and seniors at the high school have opportunities to assist teachers at Myers Elementary or intern in the school's athletic department, front office or media center for class credit.
The Bellwood-Antis Middle School in Bellwood is an exemplary rural school.
The Lewis M. Myers Elementary School is an integral part of the Bellwood-Antis school district.
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Getting to Altoona and State College
Tipton's eastern barrier is the Little Juniata River, and just beyond the river is Interstate 99. Interstate 99 takes drivers to State College, 30 miles northeast. Pleasant Valley Boulevard is another major thoroughfare that goes through Tipton, connecting through and beyond Altoona. Tipton is largely car-dependent, but there is some limited public transportation in the form of a few nearby Altoona Metro Transit (AmTran) stops. Freight and passenger trains do, however, regularly pass through Tipton, including Amtrak trains from nearby towns such as Altoona. UPMC Altoona hospital is about 11 miles southwest, and Altoona-Blair County Airport is 30 miles southwest. The closest major city is Pittsburgh, about 100 miles west.
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Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
