Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission

It was created in 1988 as a means for "recognizing, preserving, promoting, and interpreting the cultural heritage of the 9-county region in southwestern Pennsylvania associated with the three basic industries of iron and steel, coal, and transportation.

"[2] Tourism development efforts were to take advantage of the region's scenic, natural, and recreational areas and will include these resources as integral to the planning process.

Much of the project's background was based in a 1985 National Park Service (NPS) study of the region entitled Reconnaissance Survey of Western Pennsylvania Roads and Sites.

The NPS study identified the cultural resources at Johnstown and Altoona as focal points for new tourism initiatives.

[3] Early in AIHP planning, Altoona was identified as the focal point around which the story of rail transportation could revolve.