High-end Altoona neighborhood developed by the Baker family
Mansion Park is an Altoona neighborhood known for its high-end homes, the Baker Mansion homestead and Altoona Area High School's Mansion Park Stadium. Baker Mansion in the neighborhood was completed in 1849 by Elias Baker, an iron tycoon who was among the first Europeans to settle Altoona in the 1830s. During World War I and the 1920s, Elias's son, Sylvester Baker, helped plot the land for Mansion Park and facilitated the area's development near the trolley line. Although most of the homes in Mansion Park aren't actually mansions, it's "still the fanciest section of Altoona," says Dr. Michael Farrow, an Altoona native and historian at the Blair County Historical Society.
Mansion Park is not that far away from Downtown Altoona.
Take your best friend for a walk around Mansion Park.
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Large front lawns inspired by the City Beautiful movement
Homes are a mix of Colonial Revivals and American Foursquares built in the 1920s and midcentury modern homes built after World War II. Farrow explains that the discrepancy in home styles is a result of a downturn in construction during the Great Depression. "When the crash came, there were empty lots through the 1930s. They built new houses after the war, so you have a mix," he says. Average home values in Mansion Park are $374,000, the highest of anywhere in Altoona, though prices can range from $250,000 to $400,000. Homes in Mansion Park tend to have large front lawns with sycamore trees and mature shrubs, and many backyards have pools. These large plots with greenery are a departure from the 1800s-era houses in central Altoona, which are often directly behind the sidewalk with little or no front yard. "The deeds of these homes in Mansion Park say they have to be set back from the sidewalk," Farrow says. He explains that the Bakers were inspired by the City Beautiful movement of the 1890s and early 1900s that spurred the development of famous green spaces like Central Park and the National Mall. "Looking down the street, all you see are grass lawns, and it looks like a park. That was the idea," he says.
Mansion Park features tall trees that provide shade for your home.
Mansion Park is full of large lots and many trees.
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Events and history at Baker Mansion
Elias Baker, who came to Altoona when the town was undeveloped, lived in his Greek Revival homestead from 1849 until his death in 1864. The Blair County Historical Society purchased the home in 1941 and has since worked to preserve and restore the residence's history. The society still operates out of the Baker Mansion and offers tours of the home on weekends throughout the summer. It also hosts events on the property, including monthly historical lectures, Sundays on the Lawn concerts in the summer, and kid-friendly Mansion Movie Nights on the lawn.
Baker Mansion was the home of the Baker Family of Mansion Park and is now a museum.
Elias Baker of Mansion Park was part owner of the nearby Alleghany Furnace.
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A state-of-the-art high school football stadium
Students in Mansion Park may begin at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, which earns a C grade from Niche, before progressing to C-plus-rated Altoona Area Junior High School and C-plus-rated Altoona Area High School. The high school is about 2 miles northeast of Mansion Park, but the high school stadium – Mansion Park Stadium – is within the neighborhood boundaries. Farrow explains that the stadium's location was a cornfield before the Baker family sold the land in 1930 to the school district to build the facility. “[Altoona Area High School] has a successful football program. It's almost like a college stadium. The bleachers are heavy-duty steel, and it's one of the few high schools in the state with two fields," says Bob Baranik, lifelong Altoona resident and board member of Amtran, Altoona's public transportation authority. "The neighborhood is really proud of it." In addition to football practices and games, the high school girl's and boy's soccer teams also play and practice at the facility.
Altoona Area High School serves the student population from all over Mansion Park.
Baker Elementary School teaches high level curriculum for Mansion Park students.
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Recreation at Mansion Park and Prince Gallitzin State Park
Altoona Area High School's athletic facilities are open to the public outside of events and games. In addition to the Mansion Park football stadium, the grounds include two baseball fields, a track and tennis courts. Park Hills Golf Club, 3 miles south, has an 18-hole semi-private course. Lakemont Park is also nearby off Interstate 99 and has mini golf, batting cages and Leap the Dips (the world's oldest operating roller coaster, which did not operate in 2024 but may reopen in future seasons). Residents can visit several state parks in the surrounding Allegheny Mountains, including Canoe Creek State Park, 10 miles east, and Prince Gallitzin State Park, 18 miles west. Prince Gallitzin State Park spans over 6,000 acres and has 26 miles of shoreline along Glendale Lake. Boaters, fishers and swimmers enjoy the peaceful water surrounded by gently sloping, densely forested mountains.
Mansion Park is a great place for your workout while spending time in the Mansion Park area.
Mansion Park residents love to take an adventure through Prince Gallitzin State Park.
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Nearby Knickerbocker Tavern and more
Mansion Park is mainly residential, but popular shopping and dining options are nearby. Knickerbocker Tavern, in a circa-1904 rowhouse complex on 6th Avenue within the Knickerbocker Historic District, serves craft cocktails and elevated American fare. Inside, the floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace and crystal chandelier preserve the building's history, and the outdoor patio covered with creeping vines feels like a secret garden. The corner of Union Avenue and Pleasant Valley Boulevard has chain restaurants like Olive Garden and Red Lobster, as well as local spots such as The Athenian Cafe serving Mediterranean food. For errands, there's a Dollar General in the neighborhood and Martin's grocery store just south off of Logan Boulevard.
Mansion Park folks love the Knickerbocker Tavern on 6th Avenue.
Head down Union Avenue from Mansion Park and enjoy The Athenian Cafe.
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Mansion Park's flat terrain and getting around
Although surrounded by mountains, Mansion Park has relatively flat terrain. This made it a popular area for development, but the neighborhood can be vulnerable to flooding; Mill Run stream goes through the neighborhood. Interstate 99, east of Mansion Park and running parallel along Altoona, takes drivers 45 miles northeast to State College, home to Penn State University, and connects to US-22 just south of Altoona. US-22 takes drivers 90 miles west to Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania Route 36 also runs north-south through Mansion Park. Local hospital UPMC Altoona is 3 miles north, and Altoona's small downtown area is 2 miles north. Downtown also has an Amtrak Station. Altoona's public bus system, Amtran, stops along 5th and 6th Avenues and Logan Boulevard, taking riders to destinations like Penn State Altoona, downtown and Logan Valley Mall.
Take a trip to Mansion Park and see what you are missing.
Amtran takes you all around the Altoona area and back home to Mansion Park.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
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Trish Gesswein,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Prince Gallitzin State Park
Mansion Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Mansion Park
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mansion Park, Altoona sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Mansion Park, Altoona over the last 12 months is $271,375, up 9% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$261,500
Median Single Family Price
$261,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$107
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Median List Price
$274,950
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
11%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
76
Median Year Built
1954
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,302
Significantly above the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,503
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Trish Gesswein,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
271
Median Age
44
Population under 18
24.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$94,166
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$133,581
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
40.8%
Advanced Degrees
11.5%
% Population in Labor Force
52.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
44/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
59/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
