Facts About Johnstown, Cambria County, PA
The Milken Institute, an independent economic think tank, ranks Johnstown as 45th in the nation for technology growth and 8th in aircraft parts production.
Johnstown has been described as "the most affordable city in the nation" by Forbes Magazine.
Johnstown has been designated the best small metropolitan area to live in Pennsylvania and the fourth best in the East. -Source, "Best Places to Live" edition, Money Magazine, 1998.
Employment in the Johnstown Metropolitan Statistical Area is approximately 64,000 jobs. In terms of recipients, manufacturing is the largest sector of the local economy, followed by retail trade, representing 30% and 28% of the total, respectively. Significant contributions to the defense and technology industries are being made in the Johnstown area. Northrop Grumman, Lockheed-Martin, DRS Laurel Technologies, Kuchera Industries, and Concurrent Technologies Corporation have provided quality products and services from operations in the Johnstown area. - Source, Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory & Community Profile 2007-2008, p. 37-45, 56.
The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown has been rated the 3rd best college in the Public Comprehensive Colleges and Universities in the North 2005 as rated by U.S. News & World Report magazine. The university enrolls approximately 3,200 students and offers more than 40 majors.
Cambria County is also home to St. Francis University, Mount Aloysius College, Penn Highlands Community College, and Cambria-Rowe Business College, giving area college-bound students excellent options close to home.
Johnstown's Hiram G. Andrews Center is Pennsylvania's largest comprehensive rehabilitation facility for physically-challenged individuals.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) operates a cancer center inside the city. UPMC has been listed for the fifth year in a row on the U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of "America's Best Hospitals"-a distinction awarded to 19 hospitals in the nation but to only one in western Pennsylvania.
The Conemaugh Health System is the largest health care provider in west central Pennsylvania. The group has been recognized nationally for its heart, orthopedics and home health programs. Recently, Memorial Medical Center, Conemaugh Health System's Level 1 Regional Trauma Center received HealthGrades' 2008 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical ExcellenceTM, marking the hospital in the top 5% in the country. Memorial Medical Center has been designated as a UnitedHealth Premium Cardiac Specialty Center 2007-2009, a UnitedHealth Premium Total Replacement Specialty Center 2007-2009, a Highmark Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care 2007, and a HomeCare Elite Top 500 Hospitals 2007. Memorial Medical Center has also received a National Research Corporation Consumer Choice Award among other awards.
Windber Medical Center, 10 miles southeast of the city, has been named one of 15 "Hospitals with a Heart" by Modern Maturity magazine, recognized by AARP as one of 15 hospitals in the nation known for excellence in patient-centered care, and has been named one of the Top Five Innovative Hospitals in America 2007 by Fierce Healthcare. Windber Medical Center is home to the Healthstyles Wellness Center, which won the National 2007 Distinguished Service Award from the Medical Fitness Association.
The Windber Research Institute serves as the first central data warehouse for storing demographic, molecular, and clinical data about breast cancer tissue samples from infected individuals. The Institute hopes to use the information to develop a vaccine to stop the spread or reoccurrence of breast and other forms of cancer. -Source: itbusiness.ca, IT Business Canada, a leading Canadian publication for business, government and healthcare organizations.
The Conemaugh Gap is the second deepest river gorge in the eastern United States. The Gap is created by the Conemaugh River breaking through the Laurel Hill Ridge. It extends for seven miles and is 1,700 feet deep.
Northeast of Johnstown is the site of the Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railway tunnel in the United States. It served as a crucial link in the Pennsylvania Canal System in the 19th century, transporting goods and people across the Commonwealth.
Johnstown is the site of the Johnstown Inclined Plane "the steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world," according to the Guinness Book of World Records, (grade 71%).
In 1976, Universal Studios Hollywood, California selected Johnstown as the site for the making of a movie about hockey, entitled "Slapshot" starring Paul Newman, Strother Martin, Jennifer Warren and Michael Ontkean.
In 1983, Johnstown was selected by 20th Century Fox as the location for the filming of "All The Right Moves," starring Tom Cruise, Lea Thompson, Craig T. Nelson and Christopher Penn.
Johnstown natives include former Pittsburgh Steeler Jack Ham, former Denver Bronco Pete Duranko, Washington Redskin Jeff Hostetler, and Daytime Emmy award nominee actress Natalia Livingston for her role on ABC's "General Hospital." Individuals born in Johnstown include Mary Cover Jones, the "mother of behavior therapy"; Carroll Baker, star of "How the West Was Won"; award-winning opera soprano Donna Zopola-Connolly, and cartoonist and co-creator of Spider-Man, Steve Ditko. Other notable Johnstowners include Tim Kazurinsky, comedian and actor of television's Saturday Night Live and the Police Academy movies, U.S. Congressman John Murtha, presidential photographer Joe O'Donnell, and Michael Strank, World War II hero and one of the six Marines pictured in the famous Iwo Jima flag raising photo.
Prince Gallitzin was the first priest trained and ordained in America. His home and several chapels are open to the public in the town of Loretto. Prince Gallitzin State Park, named after the priest, occupies a large tract of preserved wilderness in northeastern Cambria County. The park has the 1,600 acre Glendale Lake, offering boundless opportunities for boating, fishing, and other aquatic pursuits.
Cambria County is the second largest potato producer in the state of Pennsylvania. Potato lovers can join in the annual PotatoFest held in Ebensburg in early October.
The "Gob" cake sandwich was patented by the Harris-Boyer Baking Company in Johnstown. Some folks know of them as "Whoppie Pies." This chocolate dessert can be found at many church fundraisers and festivals during the summer.
Tourism Facts
Local Tourism's TOTAL Impact: Over $257 million per year! Local money spent per visitor: $281.00 per visit; Local Employment created by Tourism: over 6,500 jobs; Local wages created from Tourism: Over $192 million per year. Local Tax Revenue generated: Over $72 million per year.
Johnstown is the home of the several festivals including: the annual Johnstown FolkFest, attracting over 150,000 visitors partaking in ethnic foods, quality live entertainment, and church tours; the Friendly City PolkaFest which brings nationally known bands and nearly 10,000 Polka lovers to the Friendly City PolkaFest every June, and the Log House Arts Festival, a juried arts and crafts affair that attracts thousands to Johnstown every Labor Day weekend.
The Thunder in the Valleyฎ motorcycle rally is one of Johnstown's fastest growing events with more than 200,000 individuals booking hotel rooms and campsites a year in advance. Always the fourth weekend in June, the rally invites enthusiasts to participate in scenic rides, parades, live bands and entertainment, bike stunt shows, vendor displays, manufacturer exhibits and more.
Noteworthy Firsts and Area Business Accomplishments
Sources: *The People of Cambria County, by Dave Huber, ฉ2003
**IT Business Canada
The first successful use of the pneumatic process in making U.S. steel was made at the Cambria Iron Works located in Johnstown, PA. William Kelly developed the converter type blast furnace that transformed crude iron into steel creating a better, more efficiently made product.*
The first steel rails rolled on order in the U.S. were manufactured by the Cambria Iron Works, an industry leader in rolling mill technology in 1867.*
The first railroad tunnel built in America was part of the Portage Railroad. The Staple Bend Tunnel is located five miles north of Johnstown.*
Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, came to Johnstown and directed relief operations after the Great Flood of 1889. The disaster, in which 2,209 victims perished, was one of the first major tests for the American Red Cross.*
Windber Research Institute serves as the first central data warehouse for storing demographic, molecular and clinical data about breast cancer tissue samples from infected individuals. The Institute hopes to use the information to develop a vaccine to stop the spread or reoccurrence of breast and other forms of cancer. **
Johnstown's Hiram G. Andrews Center is Pennsylvania's largest comprehensive rehabilitation facility for physically-challenged individuals.
Cambria County is the second largest potato producer in the state of Pennsylvania. Potato lovers can join in the annual PotatoFest held in Ebensburg in early October.
The "Gob" cake sandwich patent is owned by Tim Yost of Dutch Maid Bakery, Johnstown. Some folks know of them as "Whoopie Pies."
Johnstown is the site of the Johnstown Inclined Plane, "the steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world," according to the Guinness Book of World Records, (grade 71%).
The Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project became the nation's second largest flood control of its type. Built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the concrete-paved channel extends 9.2 miles along Johnstown's three rivers.
Reilly Coal Mine opened in 1893 in the town of Spangler. That same year, Charles R. Jones opened the Reilly Mine company store, described in the well-known song, "Sixteen Tons," sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Source: Northern Cambria, by Sr. Anne Frances Pulling, 2000.
Entertainers from Cambria County
Sources:
*The Internet Movie Database, imdb.com
**The People of Cambria County, by Dave Huber, 2003
Carroll Baker, Movie Actress
Born in Johnstown, Baker appeared in numerous European and American movies including Giant (1956), The Carpetbaggers (1964), Harlow (1965), How the West Was Won (1962), and most recently, Kindergarten Cop (1990). She received an Oscar nomination for her role in Baby Doll (1956). Baker has performed on Broadway, written three books and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.**
Charles Bronson, Movie Actor
America's "tough guy" Charles Bronson grew up in the town of Ehrenfield. Best known for his rugged looks and intense action scenes, Bronson's career spanned 50 years acting in American and European films. He received notoriety portraying a vigilante, gunfighter, police detective, or hitman in numerous television and theatre movies including roles in The Dirty Dozen (1967), Death Wish (1974), Hard Times (1975), and the Family of Cops television series.*
Chris Columbus, Movie Director, Producer, Writer
Born in Spangler, PA, Columbus has been entertaining movie and television audiences for over two decades writing, directing and producing family favorites such as Gremlins, The Goonies, the Home Alone series, the Harry Potter movie series, Mrs. Doubtfire, Nine Months, Night at the Museum, Christmas with the Kranks, and much more. *
Alan Freed, Music Promoter
Born in Johnstown, Freed was a disc jockey who coined the phrase "Rock n Roll" and was responsible for introducing black music artists to white audiences. **
Tim Kazurinsky, Writer, Comedian, Actor
Best known for his appearances on Saturday Night Live and the Police Academy movies, Kazurinsky was born in Johnstown and continues to act in a variety of films. *
Noteworthy Natives from Johnstown, PA
Television actress, Natalia Livingston, was born in Johnstown. The Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress plays Emily Quartermaine on ABC's daytime soap opera, General Hospital.
Steven Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, was born and raised in Johnstown.
Brand names Starbucks Coffee, Cinnabon and Panera Bread are Heckler Associates-named businesses. Terry Heckler is a native of Johnstown suburb, Windber.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler and Super Bowl champion, Jack Ham was born in Johnstown.
Mary Cover Jones, the "mother of behavior therapy" was born in Johnstown.
Pete Duranko played defensive end at Notre Dame and played professionally with the Denver Broncos, is a Johnstown native. Duranko is currently battling Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Frank Benford, Jr., an electrical engineer and physicist, was born in Johnstown. He is best known for "Benford's Law," a statistical statement about the occurrence of digits in lists of data.
Fiction writer Robert T. Jeschonek, who is best known for his Star Trek novels published by Pocket Books, resides in Johnstown, PA.
Dr. Lawrence F. Flick organized the first American tuberculosis society in 1892. He was a pioneer in the antitubercular campaign and among the first to recognize the disease was communicable. He was born near Carrolltown, PA. *The People of Cambria County, by Dave Huber, 2003
Sgt. Michael Strank was raised in Franklin Borough, Johnstown. A Marine, he was the oldest and highest ranking of the six men who took part in the famous raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima, Feb. 23, 1945. The scene was later used in the Marine Corps Memorial at Arlington. *The People of Cambria County, by Dave Huber, 2003
Johnstown in the Movies
Sources:
* The People of Cambria County, by Dave Huber, 2003
** "Johnstown on the Big Screen" by Mike Mastovich, Johnstown Magazine, May 2007, page 21
Slapshot was released in 1977 and starred Paul Newman who led his failing minor league hockey team to success. *
All the Right Moves was released in 1983 and starred Tom Cruise, Craig T. Nelson, and Lea Thompson. The story depicted a high school football player growing up in a steel town and his ambitions to obtain a college scholarship.*
Academy Award winning movie, The Johnstown Flood, was commissioned by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association to celebrate the opening of the Flood Museum in 1989. It is the only museum-commissioned documentary that has won an Academy Award in the short subject documentary category. **
In 2003, a new documentary "Johnstown Flood," was created, as a part of the PBS series American Experience. The film was narrated by actor Richard Dreyfuss. **
The film shown at the Johnstown Flood National Memorial entitled Black Friday was produced by the National Park Service. Parts of the movie were filmed at Harper's Ferry Center in West Virginia while most footage was taken from a 1926 silent movie, The Johnstown Flood. **
The animated short from 1946, Mighty Mouse and The Johnstown Flood, features our rodent hero using super-hypnosis to turn back time and "save the day." **
