There are a few theories about why the Pennsylvania Railroad chose to name the city after Altona, Germany. One theory is that the railroad's chief engineer, Colonel Beverly Mayer, was from Pennsylvania and had visited Altona, Germany. He was impressed with the city and its railroad system, and he thought that the name Altona would be appropriate for the new city in Pennsylvania.
Another theory is that the Pennsylvania Railroad chose to name the city after Altona, Germany because of the city's location in the foothills of the Alleghany Mountains. Altona, Germany, is also located in a hilly region, and the railroad thought that the name Altona would be a fitting description for the new city in Pennsylvania.
Whatever the reason, the name Altoona has remained the same ever since the city was founded in 1849.