Tunnelhill, Pennsylvania
Cambria County Blair County
42-77808
Tunnel Hill is a municipality ( Borough ) in Pennsylvania. In the 2000 census it had 409 inhabitants in an area of 1.2 km ².
Geography
The settlement is located in the Allegheny Mountains directly on the Eastern Continental Divide. With 701 m Tunnel Hill is one of the highest places in Pennsylvania. Just below the place run three railway tunnel in the Pittsburgh line from Norfolk Southern.
The western part of Tunnel Hill is part of Cambria County, while the eastern half is located in Blair County. Directly west lies the small town of Gallitzin. Together, the two towns have a connection to the south by leading U.S. Highway 22
History
The first European settlers arrived around 1840 in the area of Tunnel Hill. Big changes were made from 1850 onwards, as same started two railway companies with the tunnel under the present village. The name of Tunnel Hill established itself after the opening of the post office in 1856. Upon completion of the ultimately successful path of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the town developed mainly by the coal mining and coke production. As of December 5, 1876 Tunnel Hill from the Gallitzin Township was spun off and became an independent borough. 1890 reached the place with 730 inhabitants, its highest population. Especially after the Second World War ended with the dwindling coal industry back the resident population. In April 1968, part of the adjacent Allegheny Township was incorporated, making the population remained stable for the time being.