In the past, the borough had foundries and machine shops, a silk mill, car works and classification yards.

Hollidaysburg was first laid out in 1796 and was named after Adam and William Holliday, Irish immigrants who founded the settlement;[5] by 1814 it consisted of several houses and a tavern.

The canal and Portage Railroad spurred industrial and commercial development in Hollidaysburg in the 1830s.

In 1903, the Pennsylvania Railroad constructed a large switching yard and US 22 was directed through the borough.

The site is a major regional employer that is currently occupied by Curry Rail Services and DeGol Industries.

Voters elect a seven-member borough council who serve four-year terms.

The purpose of the ordinance is to preserve the unique architectural and historical qualities of the borough.

The Hollidaysburg Historic District encompasses the central part of the borough.

If approved, a Certificate of Appropriateness is awarded and a zoning permit will be issued for the work.

Located in the district and separately listed are the Blair County Courthouse and Highland Hall.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), all land.

It has nine full-time officers, and a small component of auxiliary police, including one parking meter attendant.

It consists of approximately 20 active volunteers, and responds to fires, vehicle accidents, medical incidents, and other public service details, using a four-vehicle fleet.

The service originally started as a single ambulance, volunteer organization, in 1939, serving the borough.

Over the years, it has grown substantially, and today operates four ambulances 24 hours a day, covering the boroughs of Hollidaysburg, Martinsburg, the town of Williamsburg, and the townships of Blair, Frankstown, Catharine, Woodbury, North Woodbury, and Huston; as well as providing paramedic assistance to ambulance services in several areas of Bedford County.

The fleet consists of 8 ambulances, 4 wheelchair vans, and 1 medic response vehicle.