Location(s)

            The town of Duncansville was founded along the Allegheny Portage Railroad and the Portage Iron Works.  The ironworks had one of the earliest rolling mills and nail factories in the Juniata Iron region, and by 1833, its estimated 140 workers produced fifty tons of iron per day.  At least two foundries operated in Duncansville during the time of the APRR.

            An important hotel was located on this level.  The Mountain House was situated about one mile west of Hollidaysburg, near the spot where the New Portage Railroad met the Pennsylvania Railroad at the Y-Switches (near present day North American Communications).  Following the demise of the New Portage Railroad, the Mountain House was dismantled and moved to the summit, where it was rebuilt and became a popular summer resort.  But soon the hotel was again closed and dismantled.  Part of it was once again moved and rebuilt as the employee quarters for the “new” Mountain House, located at Cresson, closer to the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

            The route of the APRR through Duncansville follows the existing railroad grade about a block south of Main Street.  This is also the grade of the New Portage Railroad.