National Register of Historic Places listings in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
This article is about the amazing historic places in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These special places are recognized for their important history and unique architecture.
The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that are important to our country's history. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth saving for future generations to learn from and enjoy. Some places are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. These are places that have played a huge role in American history.
Allegheny County has many of these historic treasures. There are 251 places listed here! A big part of these, 180 of them, are in the city of Pittsburgh. Those are listed in a separate article. This list focuses on the 71 historic places found in other towns and areas across Allegheny County. Five of these are also National Historic Landmarks.
Contents
What Are Historic Places?
Historic places can be many things. They might be old houses where famous people lived, important factories, bridges, or even entire neighborhoods. Each one tells a story about the past.
Why Are They Important?
These places help us understand how people lived long ago. They show us how our communities grew and changed. By preserving them, we keep history alive and make sure these stories are not forgotten.
Cool Historic Spots in Allegheny County
Let's look at some of the interesting historic places you can find outside of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County.
Historic Homes and Buildings
Many homes and public buildings in the county have a rich history.
- Beulah Presbyterian Church: Located in Churchill, this church has been a part of the community for a long time. It shows the history of local religious life.
- Bowman Homestead: This old home in North Versailles Township gives us a peek into what homes were like in the past.
- Burtner Stone House: Found northwest of Natrona Heights, this stone house is a very old building. It was built in 1761 and shows early American building styles.
- Rachel Carson House: In Springdale, this was the childhood home of Rachel Carson. She was a famous writer and scientist who taught us about protecting our environment.
- David Shields House: This house in Edgeworth is another example of the beautiful old homes in the area.
- Nicholas Way House: Also in Edgeworth, this house adds to the collection of historic residences.
- Wilpen Hall: Located in Sewickley Heights, this grand stone building is a beautiful example of early 20th-century architecture.
Industrial and Transportation History
Allegheny County was a major center for industry and transportation. Many historic sites reflect this past.
- Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 2, 3, and 4: These locks and dams on the Allegheny River were vital for moving goods and people by boat. They show how important rivers were for trade and travel.
- Bost Building: In Homestead, this building was the main office for steelworkers during the famous 1892 Homestead Strike. It's a National Historic Landmark because of its role in labor history.
- Boyce Station: This train station in Upper St. Clair Township is a well-preserved example of a train station from the early 1900s. It was a busy spot for local businesses.
- Carrie Blast Furnace Number 6 and 7: These huge furnaces in Munhall, Rankin, and Swissvale are the last parts of the enormous Homestead Steel Works. They are a National Historic Landmark and show the region's steel-making past.
- Coraopolis Armory: This building in Coraopolis was used by the military. Armories are important for understanding local defense history.
- Coraopolis Railroad Station: Also in Coraopolis, this old train station reminds us of the days when trains were the main way to travel.
- Davis Island Lock and Dam Site: Near Avalon, this site was home to an early lock and dam system on the Ohio River.
- Homestead Pennsylvania Railroad Station: This station in Homestead was a busy hub for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
- McKeesport National Bank: In McKeesport, this building shows the grand architecture used for banks in the past.
- Pennsylvania Railroad Station-Wilkinsburg: Located in Wilkinsburg, this station is another example of the important role railroads played in connecting communities.
- Westinghouse Air Brake Company General Office Building: In Wilmerding, this building was the main office for a company founded by George Westinghouse. He was a famous inventor.
Bridges and Engineering
Many historic bridges cross the rivers and streams of Allegheny County.
- Bridge in Jefferson Borough: This bridge crosses Lick Run and is an example of older bridge construction.
- Bridge in Shaler Township: This bridge over Pine Creek is another historic crossing.
- Fortieth Street Bridge: This bridge connects Millvale over the Allegheny River.
- Homestead High-Level Bridge: Also known as the Homestead Grays Bridge, this crosses the Monongahela River and is a significant part of the area's transportation history.
- Jerome Street Bridge: This bridge crosses the Youghiogheny River in McKeesport.
- McKees Rocks Bridge: This large bridge crosses the Ohio River at McKees Rocks.
- George Westinghouse Memorial Bridge: This impressive bridge carries U.S. Route 30 over Turtle Creek.
Parks and Community Life
Some historic places are entire areas or parks that tell a story about community life.
- Kennywood Park: Located in West Mifflin, Kennywood is a National Historic Landmark. It's one of the oldest and most famous "trolley parks" in the U.S., meaning it was built at the end of a trolley line to encourage people to ride the trolley. It's still a popular amusement park today!
- Evergreen Hamlet: This historic district in Ross Township is a neighborhood with unique architecture and planning.
- Hamnett Historic District: In Wilkinsburg, this district shows how neighborhoods developed over time.
- Homestead Historic District: This area in Homestead, Munhall, and West Homestead includes many buildings that tell the story of the steel industry and the community around it.
- Mooncrest Historic District: This community in Moon Township was built during World War II to house workers who made important defense items.
- Mt. Lebanon Historic District: This district in Mt. Lebanon Township showcases the unique development of this suburban area.
- Oakmont Country Club Historic District: In Plum, this golf course is a National Historic Landmark. It's one of the oldest and most highly-rated golf courses in the country.
- Pennsalt Historic District: This area in Harrison Township was once a "company town" built by the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company.
- Sauer Buildings Historic District: In Aspinwall, these buildings were designed by a famous local architect, Frederick C. Sauer.
- Thornburg Historic District: This district in Thornburg is another example of a historic neighborhood.
Other Unique Sites
- Experimental Mine, U.S. Bureau of Mines: South of Bruceton, this site was used for important research into mine safety.
- Gilfillan Farm: In Upper St. Clair Township, this farm is still working today! It shows how farms looked in the mid-1800s.
- Lobb's Cemetery and Yohogania County Courthouse Site: In Jefferson Hills, this site has historical importance related to early county government.
- Logans Ferry Powder Works Historic District: In Plum, this district was once a place where gunpowder was made.
- Longue Vue Club and Golf Course: Located in Penn Hills Township, this club and golf course have a long history.
- Walker-Ewing Log House: Northeast of Oakdale, this log house was built around 1790. It's a great example of early pioneer homes.
- Woodville: South of Heidelberg, this 1785 home of John Neville is a National Historic Landmark. It was a key location during the Whiskey Rebellion, a famous event in early American history. It's one of the oldest houses in the county.
Former Listing
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if it is destroyed or changed too much.
- Linden Grove: This historic place in Castle Shannon was once listed but was later removed.
Images for kids
-
Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 2
-
Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 3
-
Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 4
-
Beulah Presbyterian Church
-
Bost Building
-
Bowman Homestead
-
Boyce Station
-
Bridge in Jefferson Borough
-
Bridge in Shaler Township
-
Burtner Stone House
-
Campbell Building
-
Carnegie Free Library (McKeesport)
-
Carnegie Free Library of Braddock
-
Andrew Carnegie Free Library (Carnegie)
-
Carrie Blast Furnace Number 6 and 7
-
Rachel Carson House
-
Coraopolis Armory
-
Coraopolis Bridge
-
Coraopolis Railroad Station
-
Davis Island Lock and Dam Site
-
Elmridge
-
Evergreen Hamlet
-
Experimental Mine, U.S. Bureau of Mines
-
First Methodist Episcopal Church of McKeesport
-
Fortieth Street Bridge
-
Fulton Log House
-
Gardner-Bailey House
-
Gilfillan Farm
-
Hamnett Historic District
-
Homestead High-Level Bridge
-
Homestead Historic District
-
Homestead Pennsylvania Railroad Station
-
Hutchinson Farm
-
Jerome Street Bridge
-
Kennywood Park
-
Dr. Thomas R. Kerr House and Office
-
Lehner Grain-and-Cider Mill and House
-
Isaac Lightner House
-
Lobb's Cemetery and Yohogania County Courthouse Site
-
Logans Ferry Powder Works Historic District
-
Longfellow School
-
Longue Vue Club and Golf Course
-
McKees Rocks Bridge
-
McKeesport National Bank
-
James Miller House
-
MISSISSIPPI III
-
Mooncrest Historic District
-
Mt. Lebanon Historic District
-
Oakdale Public School
-
Oakmont Country Club Historic District
-
Pennsalt Historic District
-
Pennsylvania Railroad Station-Wilkinsburg
-
Reed Hall
-
St. Nicholas Croatian Church
-
Sauer Buildings Historic District
-
David Shields House
-
John F. Singer House
-
Sperling Building
-
Thornburg Historic District
-
Turtle Creek High School
-
United States Post Office-Sewickley Branch
-
Van Kirk Farm
-
Walker-Ewing Log House
-
Nicholas Way House
-
Westinghouse Air Brake Company General Office Building
-
George Westinghouse Memorial Bridge
-
Wilpen Hall
-
Woodville
-
Linden Grove
.jpg)
