Readers are encouraged to send or deliver old local photographs of general interest for use in Yesteryear. Information about people and places should be included. Photos must be 30 years old or older and should be sent to Yesteryear, Altoona Mirror, P.O. Box 2008, Altoona, PA 16603, or emailed to community@altoonamirror.com. For more information, call Brenda Carberry, community news coordinator, at 814-946-7459.

Local news on this date

July 4, 1951

The Altoona Mirror, Frank Aigner circulation manager, won a certificate of merit from the International Circulation Managers Association in Washington, D.C., for its news coverage, advertisements and feature articles. It also won for its newspaper carrier (paperboy) service.

July 4, 1976

A steam-powered Reading 2101 T-1 locomotive called the Freedom Train pulling 26 cars with historic memorabilia, including a NASA lunar rover, stopped in Altoona while enroute to Pittsburgh from Harrisburg. It also took on coal and water while in Altoona.

July 4, 2001

The Sorge Funeral Home in Hollidaysburg, Lloyd Sorge owner, broke ground for an expansion that would double its size. The old funeral home, built in the 1950s, would be razed to make room for the new, which would include a family room and children’s room.

July 4, 2016

Fort Roberdeau in Sinking Valley was celebrating its 40th anniversary with Bill and Cara Elder of DeLand, Fla., dressed as President George and first lady Martha Washington. They were retired school teachers.

July 5, 1951

Altoona Jaffa Shrine Illustrious Potentate Homer I. Smith announced that the Jaffa drum and bugle corps, band, Legion of Honor, chanters and patrol, along with hospital and Sons of Mecca floats, would hold a caravan called “Jaffa Shrine on Parade” and travel to DuBois and Punxsutawney, where a banquet, drills and patriotic songs would be sung.

Altoona Police Chief Vaul E. Rouzer and Lt. Harry S. Carey were to represent Altoona at the 38th annual Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association three-day meeting in Philadelphia on July 30 where 600 police officials were expected to attend. Civilian defense was to be the chief topic.

July 5, 1976

Fort Roberdeau in Sinking Valley was officially dedicated and turned over to the Blair County commissioners yesterday as the Tuckahoe Valley Militia fired its Revolutionary War cannon 13 times for the original 13 colonies while Robert Lauver, director of the Blair County Bicentennial Commission, oversaw the ceremony.

The Altoona Chapter of the Railroad Evangelistic Association was to hold a bicentennial open house at the Juniata Pavilion with gospel singing, a guest speaker, a special bicentennial program and light refreshments served.

July 5, 2001

A group called Cluggage’s Rangers were at Fort Roberdeau in Sinking Valley as about 400 people showed up to celebrate the Fourth of July. A speech written by Gen. Douglas MacArthur was read and patriotic music played. A fireworks display was held at Lakemont Park.

PennDOT in Blair County was honored for outstanding achievement in environment protection by the Governor’s Watershed Stewardship Awards, the only winner out of 17 statewide that was in Blair County. AMID & ART Inc. and Southern Alleghenies Conservancy won in Cambria County.

July 5, 2016

The Blair County Planning Commission approved a

$4 million expansion project for the Federal Carbide Co. in Snyder Township, The company was 41 years old and manufactured tungsten carbide tools, dies and parts for various military, aerospace, metal, pharmaceutical and gas/oil firms.

Smith’s Crossing Farm in Bedford County, owned by Alan and Susan Hammond and their son Kaleb, was named one of only 165 bicentennial farms in Pennsylvania. Hammond’s great-great-great grandfather Matthias Smith started the farm in 1790.

Local news compiled by Tim Doyle. National, world news from The Associated Press will return next week.