Braddock Hills, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Braddock Hills, Pennsylvania
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Borough
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Scene along Brinton Road
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| Etymology: Edward Braddock | |
Location in Allegheny County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Allegheny |
| Settled | 1753 |
| Incorporated | May 2, 1946 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.96 sq mi (2.47 km2) |
| • Land | 0.95 sq mi (2.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,102 ft (336 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,730 |
| • Density | 1,824.89/sq mi (704.87/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
15221
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| Area code(s) | 412 |
| FIPS code | 42-08008 |
| School District | Woodland Hills |
| Website | http://www.braddockhillspa.com/ |
Braddock Hills is a small town, called a borough, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 1,730 people lived there. Braddock Hills is located about 8 miles (13 km) east of downtown Pittsburgh. It is a residential area, meaning mostly homes, and is part of the larger Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Contents
History of Braddock Hills
Early Beginnings and Old Trails
Braddock Hills is located near Braddock's Field. This was the place where General Edward Braddock faced a defeat in 1755 during the French and Indian War. One of the main roads in the borough, Brinton Road, was once an old Native American trail. Local tribes used this trail to watch for their enemies.
Another important road, Braddock Road, connected Braddock Hills to the nearby town of Braddock. Farmers and coal miners used this road often. The first part of Braddock Hills to be settled was along Brinton Road, and it was known as Hannatown.
How Braddock Hills Became a Borough
People first settled in this area in 1753. For a long time, it was part of Wilkins Township. Then, in 1885, it became part of Braddock Township. Over time, Braddock Township was divided into smaller boroughs like Swissvale, North Braddock, and Rankin.
Finally, on May 2, 1946, the remaining part of Braddock Township officially became its own borough, which is what we now call Braddock Hills.
Growth After World War II
After World War II, Braddock Hills grew a lot. Many soldiers who returned home used special loans to buy new houses. Most of these new homes were built on streets like Illinois Avenue, Park Avenue, and Columbia Avenue. These houses were often small brick homes.
Even though many new houses were built, some older buildings still exist. For example, miners used to build simple homes called shotgun-style homes. Some of these old homes on Indiana Avenue are still used today.
Fun Facts from the Past
Many older residents remember when the Braddock Hills Shopping Center was a drive-in movie theater! The Ardmore Drive-In showed movies from 1959 to 1976. After it closed, it was torn down and replaced with the shopping center you see today. In the 1980s, the shopping center's parking lot even hosted a Sunday flea market and a festival called Braddock Hills Days.
Like many towns in Western Pennsylvania, Braddock Hills was once a coal town. This means that coal mining was a big part of its history. There are still many old, unused coal mines around the town. Sometimes, this can cause sinkholes in an area known as the "coal fields," which is in the center of the community.
The Braddock Catholic Cemetery is another important historical place. Many mill workers from the surrounding towns were buried there.
Famous People from Braddock Hills
Braddock Hills was home to Leonard A. Funk, who received the Medal of Honor. This is a very special award for bravery in the military. A monument honoring him is on Brinton Road, in front of the senior citizens' building.
The town was also home to Kingsley and Velma Carey. Kingsley Carey was part of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. These were brave African American military pilots. Velma Carey, his wife, was a popular jazz singer in Pittsburgh. She is thought to be the first African American woman to appear on Pittsburgh television.
Brinton Road is the longest street in Braddock Hills.
Geography of Braddock Hills
Braddock Hills is located at 40°25′12″N 79°51′57″W / 40.42000°N 79.86583°W.
The borough covers about 1.0 square mile (2.6 square kilometers) of land. Its average height above sea level is about 1,102 feet (336 meters).
Neighboring Towns
Braddock Hills shares its borders with five other towns:
- Wilkinsburg to the north
- Forest Hills to the northeast and east
- North Braddock to the south
- Swissvale to the west and southwest
- Edgewood to the west
Population of Braddock Hills
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 1,847 | — | |
| 1950 | 1,965 | 6.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,414 | 22.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,459 | 1.9% | |
| 1980 | 2,556 | 3.9% | |
| 1990 | 2,026 | −20.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,998 | −1.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,880 | −5.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,730 | −8.0% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2020, the population of Braddock Hills was 1,730 people. The town has seen its population change over the years, as shown in the chart above.
Education in Braddock Hills
The area known as Hannatown, along Brinton Road, once had its own one-room schoolhouse. This school grew into a small brick elementary school called Braddock Hills Elementary. The land for this school was given by the Hanna family.
Braddock Hills Elementary closed in 1978. It was later turned into a community center, which housed the police department and a daycare.
Today, Braddock Hills is part of the Woodland Hills School District. This district was formed in 1981 by combining several local school districts. The public high school for students in Braddock Hills is Woodland Hills High School. The Community College of Allegheny County also has a center located in Braddock Hills.
See also
In Spanish: Braddock Hills para niños
