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National Register of Historic Places

Horseshoe Curve

Horseshoe Curve is a historic place in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania, listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places on November 13, 1966, and designated a National Historic Landmark. Its National Register reference number is 66000647.

Altoona, Blair County, PennsylvaniaListed November 13, 1966NRIS #66000647★ National Historic Landmark
Photograph of Horseshoe Curve
Photo: Horseshoe Curve via Wikimedia Commons — see the file page for author and license. Image source
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Location 01

Horseshoe Curve

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About this place

What is Horseshoe Curve?

The Horseshoe Curve is a three-track railroad curve on Norfolk Southern Railway's Pittsburgh Line in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The curve is roughly 2,375 feet (700 m) long and 1,300 feet (400 m) in diameter. Completed in 1854 by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a way to reduce the westbound grade to the summit of the Allegheny Mountains, it replaced the time-consuming Allegheny Portage Railroad, which was the only other route across the mountains for large vehicles. The curve was later owned and used by three Pennsylvania Railroad successors: Penn Central, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern.

Source: Wikipedia, text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

The record

Listing details

Name
Horseshoe Curve
City
Altoona
County
Blair County
State
Pennsylvania
Listed on the National Register
November 13, 1966
NRIS reference number
66000647
Resource type
structure
National Historic Landmark
Yes
Coordinates
40.49795, -78.48510
When was Horseshoe Curve listed on the National Register?

Horseshoe Curve was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 13, 1966.

Where is Horseshoe Curve located?

Horseshoe Curve is located in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania at approximately 40.49795, -78.48510. See the map above.

Is Horseshoe Curve a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Horseshoe Curve is designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest federal recognition for a historic place.

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