Eastern Light Cemetery

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Site Brief:

Founded: 1864

Location: Altoona, PA

Additional name(s): N/A

Affiliate group(s):

• Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds

 

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History:

Eastern Light Cemetery in Altoona was created in 1864 and the land which fronts 10th Street and Oak Ridge Cemetery was purchased by John Ferguson, George Hooper, and John Alexander for African American citizens of Altoona. In addition, to these men, George M. Jackson, Henry Johnson, George Payne, and Allan (or Allen) Hurley were its first stockholders. It houses the remains of 6 USCT soldiers, the remains of the first Black high school graduate of Altoona High and the remains of the youngest son and his wife of Blair County's best known Underground Railroad conductor.

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Resource links:

• https://sites.psu.edu/harriettgaston5/2020/08/02/cemeteries-in-blair-county-and-blair-county-african-americans/

• https://sites.psu.edu/harriettgaston5/2020/08/02/bios-of-usct-soldiers-buried-in-eastern-light-cemetery/

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BCN Contact Information:

Blair County Branch NAACP #2252

admin@blairconaacp.org