In the heart of downtown Altoona, there’s a public park that was dedicated in 1907. Originally part of a farm owned by John A. Wright, the city purchased the land in 1871 for $6,900. Before the growth of Altoona, this was the very center of town. Gospel Hill, as it is known, was home to the evangelists, who used it as a place to preach back when churches where still few and far between.

Gospel Hill has been home to many historic events over the decades. Most notable among them was a 1912 visit from President Taft, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the War Governors Conference that took place in Altoona half a century earlier during the Civil War.

On May 19, 1990, a 30 ft. x 60 ft. flag was erected on Gospel Hill. The flag was one of the first projects of Altoona’s Sesquicentennial Commission. In 1998, the Gospel Hill Flag Fund was established with the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation. The flag still flies proudly to this day, replaced three or four times a year at a cost of $2,000 per flag.

With donations from school students, civic-groups, and generous citizens, we can ensure that Altoona residents and visitors will be warmly greeted by the sight of Old Glory on their way into town for years to come.