A Trip to Wopsononock
Hollidaysburg Register
September 6, 1893

“Recently, the writer enjoyed a trip to that famous summer resort on the top of the Allegheny mountains, which is fast gaining a reputation for its health-giving air, excellent water and scenery unsurpassed by any in the United States; we mean Wopsononock. It is remarkable that we have such a beautiful resort, within such a short distance of our town, that is comparatively unknown to so many of our people, especially when it is so easily accessible, and can be visited for such a remarkably small sum of money.

Taking an electric car in the diamond at Hollidaysburg, we were swiftly whirled over the road to the Twelfth street bridge in Altoona. Crossing the bridge, we entered a car on Eleventh avenue and were soon in Juniata, a bright little suburb of Altoona. Here we took the cars on the A. C. & N. R. R. for Wopsononock. The ride up this road is one of the pleasantest we ever enjoyed. The railroad climbs up the steep mountain by a succession of sharp curves, steep grades and dashes of straight track, along the sides of the Mountain, overhung with forest trees, through deep cuts and over trestle bridges, higher and higher, while we gaze down the sides of the mountain, over the tops of the tall trees, into the valley, where the husbandman tills the soil, and the cattle, wandering over the green meadows, look like the little toy animals that came with our Noah’s ark in sweet childhood days. To one of timid nerves, the ride is thrilling indeed, but the spice of danger only lends additional charm to this most delightful ride. The employees on this railroad are courteous, obliging and particularly careful. After a ride of probably half an hour, the engine puffed into the station at Wopsononock.

We were conducted on our arrival, to the hotel, only a short distance away. This building is a large, handsome frame structure of modern architecture, and sets back in a beautiful yard shaded with large spreading trees. The lawn is covered with grass and has a fine croquet ground, while hammocks and rustic seats scattered here and there under the shade of the trees afford the weary traveler a chance to rest his tired limbs. The hotel has comfortable rooms, large halls, a pleasant dining room, and handsome parlors, but its chief charm is the wide verandah which surrounds the whole house. In the grounds, for the use of the excursionists, are a row of swings and a large merry-go-round. An attraction also is the museum, which contains two large sea lions, two wild cats, coons, monkeys, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.

The manager of this hotel is Mr. Charles F. Brown, of Hollidaysburg, and it is not necessary for us to elaborate on the culinary department, for Charley’s reputation as a caterer is well known, and all those who have had the good fortune to dine at the Wopsononock hotel, are loud in their praises of the excellent cooking and admirable service. Mr. brown is a born hotel man, always alive to the interests of his guests, careful, obliging and attentive, and the traveler who stops here at once feels at home.

Frank Dicello’s orchestra is located permanently at Wopsononock, and at all hours of the day can be heard the sweet music of the famous orchestra. Frank furnishes the music for the dances which occur almost every evening. It is unnecessary for us to speak of the excellent quality of the music furnished by Mr. Decillo’s orchestra as this musical organization is well known and has a fine reputation in this community.

A walk of about three-fourths of a mile takes one to the “Point Lookout” and this is usually the first place the visitor goes after landing at Wopsononock. At this place, the proprietors have just erected an observatory. It has four floors, the first to be used as a dancing floor is very large and will easily accommodate six or eight couples. Easy stairs lead to the other stories from which can be had one of the finest views we have ever seen. Points in the counties of Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Centre, Bedford, Somerset and Huntingdon, and even in the State of Maryland, are visible from this observatory. The city of Altoona can be plainly seen as can also the towns of Hollidaysburg, Tyrone, and Bellwood. The spires of churches in Carrolltown, 22 miles away, on clear days can be seen with the naked eye. It is well worth a visit just to get this magnificent view.

Among the pleasant people we met at the hotel, were Thos. H. Greevey and Wm. M Beyer, who are staying here with their families during the heat of the summer. Mr. Patton of Altoona, has built a handsome cottage here and others will follow soon. There could be no better nor more pleasant place for picnic parties than Wopsononock. The accommodations are unsurpassed; the ride is desirable and the fare remarkably cheap. The round trip can be made from Hollidaysburg for 55 cents. The fare from Juniata to the station at Wopsononock and return is only 25 cents. To all who desire a lovely trip, we strongly recommend Wopsononock, the finest mountain resort in Pennsylvania.”