Altoona (/ælˈtuːnə/ al-TOO-nə)[7] is a city in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States.

The settlement of Altoona began in 1881 when the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway selected the site for a new terminal to replace the overcrowded existing terminal in Eau Claire.

[10] The railroad had originally planned to put the new terminal in Fall Creek, but the city of Eau Claire lobbied for a site closer to the existing one, and representatives from Eau Claire and the railroad walked the tracks from Fall Creek to Eau Claire to determine a suitable site.

When the location of present-day Altoona - approximately three miles east of the existing Eau Claire terminal - was found to have sufficient flat land and access to water (via the Eau Claire River), the railroad began construction of the new terminal and the community of "East Eau Claire" was platted in October.

Residents began moving into the community in early 1882 and the railroad terminal became operational in May of that year.

[10] The name choice may also have been influenced by the presence of immigrants from Altona, Germany.

[11] Continued growth in both Altoona and Eau Claire over the past century has left the two cities adjacent to one another, with Fairfax St. and Bus.

County Highway AA generally forms the eastern limits of the city.

To the south, the city limits generally follow Otter Creek.

Altoona is primarily served by the School District of Altoona, and a small parcel is covered by the Eau Claire Area School District.

On November 4, 2014, a referendum passed approving a new energy-efficient elementary school on County Road KB.

Altoona is also home to the studios and offices of Mid-West Family Broadcasting stations WAYY, WEAQ, WECL, WIAL, and WAXX.