Tyrone’s residential community is convenient and accessible
Located at the junction of Bald Eagle Creek and Little Juniata River, Tyrone is a small borough in Blair County surrounded by rolling hills and thick trees. The community is primarily residential, with a small selection of shopping, dining and nearby recreation. Multiple highways and public transportation services connect the area to nearby larger cities as well. “There are a lot of people who, for generations, have stayed here. If you grow up here, you stay.” says Virginia Lee Frank, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Advantage Realty, who lives in Tyrone. “It’s a bedroom community to both Altoona and State College, and it’s within about a 30-minute drive to them.”
Streets of single-family homes spanning decades
Most homes in Tyrone are lined along gridded streets with alleyway access and street parking. Properties are accompanied by small front lawns with sidewalks in front of them. Traditional two-story homes are common close to downtown. Many have Victorian-inspired architecture and were built from the 1900s to the 1920s. There are also American foursquares with a front porch and overhang. Cape Cods from the 1940s to 1960s are found farther out from the borough’s center. These houses are single-story and have dormer windows. There are also midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes in the area.
Prices range from $60,000 to $300,000, depending on property age, size and condition. “Home prices are less [compared to Altoona], and it’s mostly single-family. You might find a duplex, but there aren’t any townhouses or condos,” Frank says. Nearly 40% of residents are renters, while the rest own their home.
Commercial corridors with locally owned shops and restaurants
Tyrone has multiple areas of commerce throughout the borough. Its downtown area along 10th Street has a handful of shops and restaurants. Gardners Candies sells sweet treats, and Original Italian Pizza serves subs and pasta dishes. Hardware and auto parts stores are found along Penna Avenue’s commercial corridor. There’s also Jamie’s Diner, with its breakfast menu and comfort food. Save A Lot is the area’s primary grocery store.
Additional shopping and dining options are dotted along Pleasant Valley Boulevard’s commercial corridor to the west. Tyrone Sandwich & Six Pack Shop specializes in grab-and-go deli sandwiches. There’s also The Village Pantry, a country store that sells groceries and serves food at its cafe. Fast-food options include Pizza Hut and Domino’s. Altoona is about 18 miles south with national retailers and the Logan Valley Mall.
Tyrone’s multiple modes of transportation
Downtown Tyrone’s sidewalks and cross walks encourage walkability. When it comes to public transportation, the Altoona Metro Transit (Amtran) has a bus route through Tyrone with stops along Washington Avenue and 15th Street. There’s also the Tyrone Amtrak train station on Pennsylvania Avenue. Interstate 99 travels east of the borough and merges with U.S. Route 220. They can both be used to reach Altoona, about 18 miles south, and State College, around 30 miles north. Commuters also have access to Pennsylvania Route 453, which travels east and west through the area.
Penn Highlands is a hospital located on the southwest edge of Tyrone. State College Regional Airport is roughly 28 miles away with non-stop flights to major U.S. cities.
Celebrating Tyrone’s history, culture and community
The railroad industry plays a major role in Tyrone’s history. As such, the Tyrone Area Historical Society & Museum is located in an old train station. The museum explores the area’s past through exhibits showcasing artifacts and photos.
The Tyrone Irish Heritage Festival takes place in March every year and pays homage to the borough’s early Irish settlers. Festivalgoers can enjoy live music performances, a parade and authentic Irish meals. The Tyrone Yuletyme Christmas Celebration is another popular event in December that includes a tree lighting ceremony, followed by a parade and craft and vendor show.
Staying active in community parks
Reservoir Park is one of Tyrone’s few recreational spaces, outfitted with a playground, picnic pavilions and an amphitheater that hosts live entertainment in the summer. Parkgoers can walk along paths following a creek and enjoy the wildlife surrounding a manmade pond. Nearby is the Tyrone Community Pool, which is seasonal and has two water slides. Swim lessons and community pool parties are hosted throughout the summer. Tyrone Historic Railroad Park is located across from the borough’s history museum and Amtrak train station. Its grassy field has picnic benches and a model train to climb on and explore. A Little League baseball field is found on First Street.
B-rated public schools in Tyrone
The borough is served by the Tyrone Area School District, which enrolls about 1,800 students across its three schools. Tyrone Area Elementary School earns a B grade from Niche, while Tyrone Area Middle School has a B-minus. From there, students can attend the C-plus-rated Tyrone Area High School. The high school offers six career-oriented programs, including accounting technology, carpentry and production industries technology.
