Hickory Heights, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Street view of Hickory Heights (Hickory Heights, PA)

Hickory Heights is a small community in Pennsylvania, United States. It's located in Allegheny County, within South Fayette Township. It's called an unincorporated community because it's not a separate town with its own government. Instead, it's part of the larger South Fayette Township.

Where is Hickory Heights Located?

Hickory Heights is a neighborhood found in the South Hills area. This area is part of the larger Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The community is served by the South Fayette school district. Mail for Hickory Heights goes through the Bridgeville post office.

The community is located just south of where Route 50 and Interstate 79 meet. Its exact location is 40°20′27″N 80°8′27″W / 40.34083°N 80.14083°W / 40.34083; -80.14083.

Size and Elevation

Hickory Heights covers about 5 square miles (13 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within its borders. The average height of the land in Hickory Heights is about 1,120 feet (341 meters) above sea level.

What Makes Hickory Heights Special?

Hickory Heights is connected to nearby towns like Bridgeville and South Fayette. However, it feels separate because it's located on higher ground. The community is built around the Hickory Heights golf course.

Community Features

This neighborhood has several fun places for its residents. These include:

• A community swimming pool (Hickory Heights swimming pool)
• A central golf course (Hickory Heights golf course)
• Horse stables (Rolling Hills Ranch)
• A club for outdoor activities (The Alpine Club)
• A local market (Original Farmer's Night Market)

The area is known for its rolling hills and beautiful views. Many people think it has some of the nicest suburban scenery in Pennsylvania.

A Look Back at Hickory Heights History

Hickory Heights has a very interesting history. It even involves one of America's most famous leaders!

George Washington's Land

Around 1770, George Washington, who later became the first President of the United States, bought a large piece of land. This land was about 2,813 acres (11.38 square kilometers) in Western Pennsylvania. Hickory Heights is part of this historic property. Washington got this land from a neighbor, John Posey, to settle a debt.

Washington mostly saw this land as an investment. He didn't live there. In 1784, he visited the land to check on it. He found that some people, called Scotch-Irish squatters, were living there without permission.

Legal Battles and Ownership

Over the next few years, George Washington started legal cases to get these people to leave. He eventually won the cases. In 1796, he tried to sell the property, but the sale didn't go through. The person buying it couldn't pay. Washington kept the land until he passed away.

Because of these long legal battles, we know that this property took up a lot of Washington's time. He visited it at least once, but he wasn't involved in its daily care.

Modern Development

For a long time, until the 1980s, most of Hickory Heights was quiet farmland. The area started to grow when the Hickory Heights Golf Course was built. New homes were then built around the golf course. This development formed the heart of the community we see today.

Neighboring Communities

Hickory Heights is close to these other communities:

• Cecil Township
• South Fayette Township
• Bridgeville Township

Images for kids

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  Second street view of Hickory Heights (Hickory Heights, PA)

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  View of the houses from the Ninth Green (Hickory Heights, PA)

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  Hickory Heights Club House (Hickory Heights, PA)

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  Creek running past the community (Hickory Heights, PA)

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  Rolling Hills Ranch. (Hickory Heights, PA)