Altoona has a deep and rich history involving the railroad, being founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849, later becoming an official municipality in 1854. Throughout is early days and much of the late 19th century, the city primarily catered to the rail industry, having massive growth due to railroad needs during the Civil War. Today, Altoona is called home by corporations such as Sheetz, Boyer, and others; hosts a Penn State University campus, and offers a variety of outdoor attractions.