About Us
Our Mission
The mission of Blair Township government is to provide superior municipal services with an emphasis on integrity, efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Township elected officials and staff will serve as advocates for its residents and strive to position the Township for future growth and as a desirable community in which to live and work.
About Blair Township
Blair Township is situated in south-central Blair County and encompasses an area of slightly less than 9,000 acres. Topographically, Blair Township has contrasting features, with high points and steep ridges that divide the Township from the southeast, with the central and northwest areas characterized by a fairly level plain crossed by the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River and containing major transportation corridors. This topography has served to significantly influence growth in the Township, in particular residential growth. Although pockets of residential development continue to occur in distinct areas of Blair Township, the most significant concentration continues to be in the general area of “Penn Farms”, north and south of Newry Lane. Not surprisingly, Blair Township has experienced fairly robust population growth, mirroring the growth in new home construction. The Township’s population growth has been steady despite the County’s population overall erosion as evidenced in both the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census. Blair Township’s 2010 Census population was established at just under 5,000 persons. This same Census also showed Blair Township’s economic characteristics as very strong relative to housing values and median and household income levels. Despite its overwhelmingly residential nature, Blair Township has a stable economic base comprised of agricultural, industrial and business enterprises. A goal of the Township continues to be strengthening and stabilizing its economic base as a strong basis of continued growth. At the same time, there exists a strong desire on the part of Township residents to retain a rural atmosphere, retaining high quality agricultural lands by relieving development pressures on these farm lands.
Blair Township, A Brief History
While Blair Township’s origination may be somewhat sketchy, the genesis of the Township is likely as follows. What is now Blair Township was first settled in 1773 and was originally part of Frankstown Township, which at that time was part of Huntingdon County. It was January 1839 when a commission was set up by the Huntingdon County Court to “enquire into the propriety of establishing a new township from the existing Township of Frankstown”. The first report was made by the commission in April 1839, and a second report in August. Finally, a report was made and approved in the November session of the court. Three Township Commissioners were appointed: George L. Cowan, Job M. Spang, and Jacob L. Martin.
Newly-formed Blair Township had the distinction of being one of the smallest existing townships. Surrounded by three boroughs: Hollidaysburg, Gaysport, Newry, and a portion of Duncansville, Blair Township contained no towns of any size, only the small villages of Catfish, Vicksburg, and Reservoir. The population, including Duncansville and Newry, was 1,176. By 1880 it was 1,426, and in 1900, excluding Duncansville and Newry, it had grown to 1,043 persons. According to the 2000 Census, Blair Townshiph has 4,587 residents. Some early settlers were Patrick Cassidy, who founded Newry, and Henry Campinou, and Michael Fetter, who owned a gristmill located near the site of the “Homestead Office Complex” along Old Route 22. In order to provide water for the canal at Hollidaysburg, a reservoir was built south of the borough and extending over two miles. It later became a resort area with cabins and cottages appearing along the shore. The water also provided recreation and food in the form of fish. Fishing was allowed in any manner and it was a common place even in the later years to see wagon loads of fish hauled to markets in Hollidaysburg and Altoona. The spring rush flooded the land owned by the railroads; the dams were then lowered and eventually washed out.
Education
Blair Township falls within the Hollidaysburg Area School District (HASD).
The Hollidaysburg Area School District is a midsized, suburban public school district based in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. It serves the boroughs of Duncansville, Hollidaysburg, and Newry, and the townships of Allegheny, Blair, Frankstown, and Juniata. The district encompasses approximately 120 square miles.
The Hollidaysburg Area School District operates two secondary and three elementary schools: Hollidaysburg Area High School, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School, Charles W. Longer Elementary School, Foot of Ten Elementary School, and Frankstown Elementary School.
HASD is noted for its high academic standards as well as its diversity of sports and activities that include Band, Drama, Tiger Wires Newspaper, Mock Trial, and Foreign Language Clubs, just to name a few. Interscholastic sports include:
Boys
Baseball – AAA
Basketball – AAAA
Cross Country – AAA
Football – AAA
Golf – AAA
Indoor Track & Field – AAAA
Soccer – AAA
Swimming & Diving – AAA
Tennis – AAA
Track & Field – AAA
Wrestling – AAA
Girls
Basketball – AAAA
Cross Country – AAA
Golf – AAA
Indoor Track & Field – AAAA
Soccer (Fall) – AAA
Swimming & Diving – AAA
Softball – AAA
Girl’s Tennis – AAA
Track & Field – AAA
Volleyball – AAA
Parks & Recreation In/Near Blair Township
Chimney Rocks
Chimney Rocks is a natural wonder of Blair Township: a prominent limestone formation containing one hundred and twenty perches. The gray silent wall of rock was the location from which signal fires of Indians burned flaming messages to the warriors watching in the valley below. A bronze marker was placed on the Pulpit Rock on October 17, 1924. This promontory point is now known as the “Look Out”. The tribes of Indians that lived, hunted, and traveled through Blair Township included the Delawares, Muncies, Nanticokes, Shawnees, and Tutleloes. The Chimney Rocks site has historically provided Hollidaysburg Borough and Blair Township residents, as well as numerous visitors, a dramatic panorama view of the Borough and Township. A 20-foot highlighted star is placed there during the Christmas holiday season. The stunning limestone pillars atop the ridge had been visited informally by almost every resident with the physical ability to climb the face. Many residents will ask one another if they have ever sat in the Chief’s seat, which is a rock pad atop the limestone pillars. Local lore claims the Chief of the local Native American tribe would sit in this area and view his tribe. In 1994, Chimney Rocks and the surrounding property were purchased by the Borough of Hollidaysburg although it is located in Blair Township. The site was then extensively developed to provide for ease of access. Currently the site consists of picnic areas where concerts and other community activities take place. Many of the trails have been improved, and handicap access is available to the picnic areas and one of the overlooks. Safety measures such as handrails and public restroom facilities have also been added, making Chimney Rocks an ideal stop to relax and enjoy this dynamic vista.
Pavilion Rentals: The pavilion at the park is available for rental for weddings, picnics, group outings, or family reunions, etc. to both residents and to non-residents. There is a security deposit and an applicable rental fee.
For more information, please contact Hollidaysburg Borough through the Borough Manager’s Office.