Braddock Hills, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Braddock Hills is a borough in Allegheny County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area
. Braddock Hills is located approximately 8 miles (13 km) east of downtown Pittsburgh. The population of Braddock Hills was 1,880 at the 2010 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land. Its average elevation is above sea level.
, the site of General Edward Braddock
's 1755 defeat during the French and Indian War
. The main road which winds through the borough, Brinton Road, was originally an Indian trail, used by the area's indigenous people to keep watch for their enemies. The other main road in the borough, Braddock Road, was the main link between Braddock Hills and Braddock
used by farmers and coal miners. The first area of the borough to be settled was along Brinton Road, first settled as Hannatown.
First settled in 1753, the area was part of Wilkins Township
until 1885, when Braddock Township was incorporated. On May 2, 1946, after Braddock Township had already been broken up into the boroughs of Swissvale
, North Braddock
, and Rankin
, the remaining area incorporated itself as Braddock Hills.
Braddock Hills experienced a housing boom following World War II. Many GI's used their VA loans to acquire newly built homes. Most of the new homes were built on Illinois Ave, Park Ave, Columbia Ave, Circle, McKelvey Ave, and Kings Ave. These homes were generally small brick Cape Cods, colonials, or brick ranches. While much of the borough has new housing, there are many older structures. Miners built shotgun-style homes. Many of these homes were located on Indiana Avenue. Some are still in use.
Many older residents can recall when the Braddock Hills Shopping Center on Yost Boulevard was the location of a drive-in movie theater. The Ardmore Drive-In operated from 1959 to 1976; it was then torn down and was replaced with a shopping center that included a Dollar Bank, Gold Circle Department Store, Giant Eagle, Rite Aid, and several small shops and restaurants. Gold Circle would later close and was replaced with a Builder's Square that has also closed. This part of the shopping center is currently closed although there have been plans for the space. During the 1980s the shopping center's parking lot hosted a Sunday flea market and the Braddock Hills Days Festival. Other long gone businesses include Azinger's (corner store with lunch meat, milk, bread, and candy), Gigante's (Italian grocery store), Stop and Go's, the gas station on the corner of Brinton and Wilkins Avenue, and the infamous Hank's ConCan (bar located on Wilkins Avenue).
Like many Western Pennsylvania
communities, Braddock Hills was a coal town. There are many abandoned coal mines located throughout the town. This has resulted in sinkhole
s in an area that has been called the "coal fields". The coal fields are located in the center of the community. It is a wooded area that is home to deer, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and many types of wild birds. At one time, there were several "paths" or foot trails that criss-crossed the borough. During the 1970s, the center of the coal fields had a sports field that was accessible by a dirt road. Local softball and baseball teams would play among the trees.
Another prominent historical feature of the borough is the Braddock Catholic Cemetery. It served as the burying ground for many mill workers in the surrounding communities.
Braddock Hills was the home of Leonard A. Funk, a Medal of Honor
recipient. A monument dedicated to his exemplary service is located on Brinton Road in front of the senior citizens' building.
Park Avenue is the longest street in this community.
. Braddock Hills Elementary closed its doors in 1978. It would soon be converted into a community center that would house the police department and a daycare center. In 1981, the Swissvale Area School District combined, after court ordered desegregation, even further to form the Woodland Hills School District
that serves Braddock Hills today.
The public high school for the borough is Woodland Hills High School
. The Community College of Allegheny County
's Braddock Hills Center is also located in the borough.
of 2000, there were 1,998 people, 1,020 households, and 513 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 2,060.4 people per square mile (795.3/km²). There were 1,077 housing units at an average density of 1,110.6 per square mile (428.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 79.38% White, 17.97% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.15% from other races
, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 1,020 households out of which 19.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.2% were married couples
living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.7% were non-families. 46.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 27.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.94 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the borough the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 28.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 80.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $30,382, and the median income for a family was $40,517. Males had a median income of $32,434 versus $24,009 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $18,545. About 10.2% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area
Pittsburgh Metro Area
The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area surrounding the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is renowned for its industries including steel, glass and oil; moreover, its economy also thrives on healthcare, education, technology, robotics, financial services and more recently film...
. Braddock Hills is located approximately 8 miles (13 km) east of downtown Pittsburgh. The population of Braddock Hills was 1,880 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Braddock Hills is located at 40°25′12"N 79°51′57"W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land. Its average elevation is above sea level.
History
Braddock Hills is located northwest of Braddock's FieldBraddock's Field
Braddock's Field is a historic battlefield on the banks of the Monongahela River, at Braddock, Pennsylvania, near the junction of Turtle Creek , about nine miles southeast of the "Forks of the Ohio" in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, the site of General Edward Braddock
Edward Braddock
General Edward Braddock was a British soldier and commander-in-chief for the 13 colonies during the actions at the start of the French and Indian War...
's 1755 defeat during the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
. The main road which winds through the borough, Brinton Road, was originally an Indian trail, used by the area's indigenous people to keep watch for their enemies. The other main road in the borough, Braddock Road, was the main link between Braddock Hills and Braddock
Braddock, Pennsylvania
Braddock is a borough located in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 10 miles upstream from the mouth of the Monongahela River. The population was 2,159 at the 2010 census...
used by farmers and coal miners. The first area of the borough to be settled was along Brinton Road, first settled as Hannatown.
First settled in 1753, the area was part of Wilkins Township
Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania
Wilkins Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,357 at the 2010 census. It is served by Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district, the 43rd District of the Pennsylvania State Senate, and the 34th District of the Pennsylvania State House of...
until 1885, when Braddock Township was incorporated. On May 2, 1946, after Braddock Township had already been broken up into the boroughs of Swissvale
Swissvale, Pennsylvania
Swissvale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, east of downtown Pittsburgh. Named for a farmstead owned by abolitionist and early feminist Jane Swisshelm, during the industrial age it was the site of the Union Switch and Signal Company of George Westinghouse. The population was 8,983 at...
, North Braddock
North Braddock, Pennsylvania
North Braddock is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. North Braddock was organized from a part of Braddock Township in 1897. North Braddock is a suburb east of Pittsburgh with a 15-minute travel time to the city...
, and Rankin
Rankin, Pennsylvania
Rankin is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, south of Pittsburgh on the Monongahela River. Early in the 20th century, Rankin specialized in manufacturing steel and wire goods...
, the remaining area incorporated itself as Braddock Hills.
Braddock Hills experienced a housing boom following World War II. Many GI's used their VA loans to acquire newly built homes. Most of the new homes were built on Illinois Ave, Park Ave, Columbia Ave, Circle, McKelvey Ave, and Kings Ave. These homes were generally small brick Cape Cods, colonials, or brick ranches. While much of the borough has new housing, there are many older structures. Miners built shotgun-style homes. Many of these homes were located on Indiana Avenue. Some are still in use.
Many older residents can recall when the Braddock Hills Shopping Center on Yost Boulevard was the location of a drive-in movie theater. The Ardmore Drive-In operated from 1959 to 1976; it was then torn down and was replaced with a shopping center that included a Dollar Bank, Gold Circle Department Store, Giant Eagle, Rite Aid, and several small shops and restaurants. Gold Circle would later close and was replaced with a Builder's Square that has also closed. This part of the shopping center is currently closed although there have been plans for the space. During the 1980s the shopping center's parking lot hosted a Sunday flea market and the Braddock Hills Days Festival. Other long gone businesses include Azinger's (corner store with lunch meat, milk, bread, and candy), Gigante's (Italian grocery store), Stop and Go's, the gas station on the corner of Brinton and Wilkins Avenue, and the infamous Hank's ConCan (bar located on Wilkins Avenue).
Like many Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania consists of the western third of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. Pittsburgh is the largest city in the region, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic and cultural center. Erie, Altoona, and Johnstown are its...
communities, Braddock Hills was a coal town. There are many abandoned coal mines located throughout the town. This has resulted in sinkhole
Sinkhole
A sinkhole, also known as a sink, shake hole, swallow hole, swallet, doline or cenote, is a natural depression or hole in the Earth's surface caused by karst processes — the chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks or suffosion processes for example in sandstone...
s in an area that has been called the "coal fields". The coal fields are located in the center of the community. It is a wooded area that is home to deer, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and many types of wild birds. At one time, there were several "paths" or foot trails that criss-crossed the borough. During the 1970s, the center of the coal fields had a sports field that was accessible by a dirt road. Local softball and baseball teams would play among the trees.
Another prominent historical feature of the borough is the Braddock Catholic Cemetery. It served as the burying ground for many mill workers in the surrounding communities.
Braddock Hills was the home of Leonard A. Funk, a Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient. A monument dedicated to his exemplary service is located on Brinton Road in front of the senior citizens' building.
Park Avenue is the longest street in this community.
Education
The area along Brinton Road, Hannatown, had its own one-room schoolhouse, which eventually became a small brick elementary school known as Braddock Hills Elementary, on land donated by the Hanna family, that grew until 1966, when a court mandate combined the educational system of Braddock Hills with that of the neighboring borough of SwissvaleSwissvale, Pennsylvania
Swissvale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, east of downtown Pittsburgh. Named for a farmstead owned by abolitionist and early feminist Jane Swisshelm, during the industrial age it was the site of the Union Switch and Signal Company of George Westinghouse. The population was 8,983 at...
. Braddock Hills Elementary closed its doors in 1978. It would soon be converted into a community center that would house the police department and a daycare center. In 1981, the Swissvale Area School District combined, after court ordered desegregation, even further to form the Woodland Hills School District
Woodland Hills School District
Woodland Hills School District is a public school district located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, serving twelve municipalities in the Pittsburgh area; Braddock, Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Rankin, Swissvale, Turtle Creek and...
that serves Braddock Hills today.
The public high school for the borough is Woodland Hills High School
Woodland Hills High School
Woodland Hills High School is a secondary school teaching students in the grades for the Woodland Hills School District located in Churchill, Pennsylvania. It is the result of a 1981 court-ordered desegregation merger. Before the merger the building was the location of the Churchill Area High...
. The Community College of Allegheny County
Community College of Allegheny County
Community College of Allegheny County, or CCAC as it is officially abbreviated, is a community college in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With four campuses and six centers, the college offers associate's degrees, certificate and diploma programs....
's Braddock Hills Center is also located in the borough.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,998 people, 1,020 households, and 513 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,060.4 people per square mile (795.3/km²). There were 1,077 housing units at an average density of 1,110.6 per square mile (428.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 79.38% White, 17.97% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.15% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.
There were 1,020 households out of which 19.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.7% were non-families. 46.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 27.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.94 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the borough the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 28.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 80.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.8 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $30,382, and the median income for a family was $40,517. Males had a median income of $32,434 versus $24,009 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $18,545. About 10.2% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.