The flag, which was previously flown over the Pennsylvania state Capitol building in Harrisburg, was raised onto a lighted pole Thursday morning at the park in Portage Township, with American Legion Post 430 officers Tim Oatman and Clair Lloyd doing the honors.

About 20 people gathered to watch, ranging from historical society board members and volunteers to local, county and state officials, including state Rep. Jim Rigby, who acquired the flag for the historical society. The pole and the light were funded by the American Legion.

The property, at the intersection of Portage Street and Munster Road, is reflective of the town’s rich history, modern community and its exciting future, said Irene Huschak, the historical society’s president.

Several volunteers, like Joel Offman, have been working with the historical society over the years to beautify the area, Huschak said.

The United States flag was raised on a lighted pole Friday in Kondisko Park, Portage. The pole and the light were donated by the American Legion Post 430 while the flag, which once flew over the state Capitol building in Harisburg, was acquired by state Rep. Jim Rigby. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

Offman said he and his son brought chainsaws and a log splitter to remove tree stumps from the site and used their side-by-side vehicle to haul materials away.

“It’s nice to see this coming along and beautifying Portage,” Offman said.

Others gave their time to develop a butterfly garden at the park, which has several displays that are each important to the area’s history, Huschak said.

One of the displays is a lighted panorama of the Allegheny Portage Railroad’s Inclined Plane No. 2. Another features a portion of railroad tracks on stone sleepers.

According to a sign posted at the site, the 36-mile inclined plane railroad was built because the Main Line Canal System could not cross the Allegheny Mountains.

The town itself was named after the railroad, which traveled over state Route 53 in 1834 as one of the first mountain railroads in the world, Huschak said.

“The headquarters for the Allegheny Portage Railroad in 1834 was right in this area. So, this is important. It shows our history,” Huschak said, adding residents used the railroad to transport goods across the Allegheny Mountains from Hollidaysburg to Johnstown.

In the future, the 9/11 National Memorial Trail will pass through Portage along Route 53, Huschak said, noting the park has a bench dedicated in honor of the trail.

Sharon Shoff, a historical society board member, said they hope to offer walkers and cyclists a place to stop and rest while learning about the area’s history.

By raising the flag Thursday, the historical society aimed to add a patriotic touch to the park, Shoff said.

Fox said “it’s a big deal” to have the park in the community.

“I think people appreciate the work that they’re doing,” Fox said.

Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky said Kondisko Park represents “a little bit of everything” but shows that, by working together, volunteers can “get things done.”

“And Portage is a community of getting things done,” Chernisky said.

“It’s awesome to be here just to experience the patriotism here in Cambria County and in our region,” he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.