About the Chamber:
The Cresson Area sits atop the Allegheny Highlands in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. It is intersected by Pa route 53 and us route 22. The area is located between Altoona to the east and Johnstown to the Southwest.
The Cresson Area consists of the communities of Cresson Borough, Cresson Township and Sankertown Borough. Incorporation dates for the three communities are Cresson 1906, Cresson Township 1893 and Sankertown 1906. Surrounding communities include the boroughs of Ashville, Gallitzin, Lilly, Loretto and Tunnelhill. Surrounding townships include Allegheny, Dean, Gallitzin, Munster and Washington. These communities make up the Penn Cambria School District.
[ picture ] The area was first settled by farmers who were followed by railroaders and coal miners. Today the Cresson Area is a residential community served by small businesses, light industry and farming. The area is also home to two colleges and both a State and Federal prison.

History:
The first settlers to the area were farmers who were later followed by workers for the Portage Railroad, Pennsylvania Railroad and coal miners.
In the early 1800's travel and trade were done by Conestoga wagons. Travel time, using horses and wagons between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh took at least 23 days. In order to decrease travel time and increase trade the Pennsylvania Legislature, In February 1826, authorized the Mainline of Public Works to begin a system of canals between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. However, the Allegheny Mountains stood in the way.
The healthful quality of the climate resulted in the establishment of the Tuberculosis Sanitarium in the early 1900's when fresh air was the cure for that disease. The Sanitarium is now the site of the state Correctional Institution at Cresson.