Rennerdale, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rennerdale, Pennsylvania
Census-designated place
Walker-Ewing Log House, built around 1790
Location in Allegheny County and state of Pennsylvania
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Allegheny
Township	Collier
Area
• Total	0.79 sq mi (2.05 km2)
• Land	0.79 sq mi (2.05 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,103
• Density	1,394.44/sq mi (538.17/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code	42-64184

Rennerdale is a small community in Collier Township, Pennsylvania. It is located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, about 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Pittsburgh. In 2020, about 1,103 people lived there. Rennerdale is called a "census-designated place." This means it is a specific area that the government counts for population, but it is not an official town or city.

Geography and Landscape

Rennerdale is built on a hill in the Allegheny Plateau. This area has hills and valleys. The land slopes down from 1,032 feet (315 m) to 882 feet (269 m). At the bottom of the hill is Robinson's Run, a small creek. This creek flows into Chartiers Creek and then into the Ohio River.

People started mining coal in the area as early as 1870. Today, the only active mining is at a quarry east of the community. A quarry is a place where stone or other materials are dug out of the ground.

Population Facts

The population of Rennerdale was 1,103 people in 2020. This information comes from the United States Census. The census counts how many people live in different areas every ten years.

History of Rennerdale

Early Settlers and Homes

One of the first people to settle here was James Ewing in 1770. He built a grist mill on Robinson's Run. A grist mill uses water power to grind grain into flour.

Two brothers, Gabriel and Isaac Walker, arrived in 1772. They were Scots-Irish from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In 1782, Gabriel Walker's home was attacked by Native Americans. The village of Walker's Mills, which is east of Rennerdale, is named after Isaac Walker.

Between 1760 and 1790, Gabriel Walker built a log cabin about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of where Rennerdale is today. This cabin is now known as the Walker-Ewing Log House. It is still standing and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Many members of the Walker family still live in the area.

In 1876, maps of Pittsburgh showed only a few families living where Rennerdale is now. These families included Mrs. J. Maloney, James Hayes, J.E. Walker, E. Walker, and G. Walker.

The Railroad and Town's Beginning

Rennerdale started as a town because of the railroad. A railway line, called the Panhandle Route, followed Robinson's Run. This railway connected Pittsburgh with Cincinnati, Ohio. It was run by the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad.

John W. Renner was a financial manager for this railroad company. In 1895, 60 acres of land were bought along the railway line near Pittsburgh. Employees of the railroad's accounting department started a new town there. They named the town Rennerdale to honor John W. Renner.

In 1910, the census did not list Rennerdale by name. However, 72 people were counted living on Sunnyside Avenue. Many of the adults living there worked for the railroad. By 1920, 319 people were counted specifically in Rennerdale. Most adults worked for the railroad, or as miners or laborers.

William Kerr, a railroad clerk from Rennerdale, helped establish the national Flag Day.

Life in Rennerdale

Homes and Community Places

Rennerdale has about 320 single-family homes. Many of these homes were built between 1920 and 1960. Some of the oldest homes date back to the 1840s. Most houses have large yards with many trees.

The only church in Rennerdale is the Rennerdale United Presbyterian Church. It is located on Noblestown Road. The church holds services and also hosts community meetings. For example, the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Railway Historical Society meets there.

The Rennerdale Volunteer Fire Department is on Suburban Avenue. They provide emergency and firefighting services for the community. The fire department also organizes an annual Halloween parade.

The Pond and Webb Field

Next to the fire station is a small pond fed by a spring. People enjoy fishing there, usually practicing catch and release. Many ducks live at the pond all year round. They are the mascot for the fire department! Visitors like to feed the ducks and see new ducklings in the spring. When the pond freezes in winter, people use it for skating and ice hockey.

On the east side of town, there is Webb Field. This area has two baseball fields, called Little Webb and Big Webb. There is also a pavilion for community events. Webb Field was named after Edward N. Webb, who helped start the Rennerdale Little League. It was dedicated in 1967.

Panhandle Trail Activities

A part of the Panhandle Trail runs through Rennerdale. This section includes a quarry and a pond. A stage has been built here using stones from the quarry. This area hosts two yearly events. The Friends of the Panhandle Trail work with the township and local groups to put on these events.

• Night Walk on the Panhandle Trail: This event happens every Halloween. The Rennerdale Church Youth Group, with help from local boy and girl scout troops, carves over 100 Jack-O-Lanterns. These pumpkins light up the trail. There are also vendors, a bonfire, storytelling, and food.
• Rock the Quarry: This event is held every August. Local bands play on the stage. Vendors offer different kinds of food, drinks, and goods.

Education and Government

Children in Rennerdale go to schools in the Chartiers Valley School District. This district includes a primary school, intermediate school, middle school, and high school.

Since Rennerdale is an unincorporated community, it does not have its own mayor or police force.

Places Near Rennerdale

Settler's Cabin Park

Less than a mile northwest of Rennerdale is Settler's Cabin Park. This is a large park, about 1,589 acres (6.43 km2). It is an Allegheny County park. The park includes the Walker-Ewing Log House, which you read about earlier. It also has a wave pool, a diving pool, tennis courts, picnic areas, and walking trails.

Panhandle Trail

Right south of Rennerdale is the Panhandle Trail. This is a path for hiking and biking. It follows the route of an old railroad line. The Panhandle Trail is about 29 miles (47 km) long. It goes from Walker's Mills to near Weirton, West Virginia. It also connects to the Montour Trail.

Next to the trail, there is an old quarry. It is a nice spot for picnics and community parties. In the woods south of the trail, you can find Fossils Cliff. This cliff is famous for its many fossils, mostly of fern leaves.

Other Nearby Areas

On the ridge south of Rennerdale is a private golf course called The Club at Nevillewood. It was designed by famous golfer Jack Nicklaus. There is also a community built around the golf course.

On the western ridge, there used to be a Project Nike missile site. This was a military base called the Charles E. Kelly Support Facility. It was closed down in 2005. Later, a group worked on a plan to reuse the land. They imagined a small town center, recreation areas, shops, offices, and a public library. In 2015, the Collier Township Community Center opened there.

Images for kids

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  The historic Walker-Ewing Log House, built around 1790.

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  A map showing Rennerdale's location in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

See also

In Spanish: Rennerdale para niños