Altoona

Founded in 1868, Altoona was once just a small town on the prairieat least until the planes, trains, and automobiles came. Trains started crossing this town as planes made their way to the Altoona Airport, and the construction of Interstate 80 on Altoonas north edge brought many tourists. The growing community has become known across the state as the Entertainment Capital of Iowa. Altoona is home to Adventureland Park, Iowas largest amusement park, as well as Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, and it hosted the states first municipal airport, Hanna Air Field. Various innovative individuals called this community home, such as Robert Townsend with his single-pass color printer and George Kurtzweil and his idea to grow the first acre of hybrid seed corn. Altoonas history espouses a unique combination of small-town Iowa traditions and progressive thinkers that make it unforgettable.