McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County
, Pennsylvania
, in the United States
; it is located at the confluence
of the Monongahela
and Youghiogheny
rivers and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area
. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census. It is the second largest city
(not including townships
, boroughs
, and Home Rule Municipalities
) in the county after Pittsburgh.
Settled in 1795 and named in honor of John McKee, its founder, McKeesport remained a village until 1830 when coal mining
began in the region. Large deposits of bituminous coal
existed.
McKeesport was incorporated as a borough in 1842 and as a city in 1891. Its population grew steadily until the mid 20th century, when it peaked in the 1940s. The city's population in 1900 was 34,227; in 1910, 42,694; in 1920, 45,975; and in 1940, 55,355. The decrease in the population since the 1940s is attributable to the general economic malaise that descended upon the region when the steelmaking industry moved elsewhere. The major employer was the National Tube Works, a manufacturer of iron pipes, which once employed 10,000 men. McKeesport was the site of the first G. C. Murphy
five-and-ten-cent store.
business, he devised a plan for a city to be called McKee's Port. John set out his proposal in the Pittsburgh Gazette, as part of a program under which new residents could purchase plots of land for $20.00 (a lottery was the means to distribute the plots to avoid complaints from new land owners concerning "inferior" locations).
Around the time of the French and Indian Wars
, George Washington
often came to McKeesport to visit his friend, Queen Alliquippa
, a Seneca Indian ruler. After being settled by the McKee family in 1795, McKeesport began to grow in 1830 when coal mining began. The first schoolhouse was built in 1832, with James E. Huey as its schoolmaster (Huey Street in McKeesport is named for him). The city's first steel mill was established in 1851.
The National Tube Company opened in 1872 and became part of U.S. Steel
. In the years directly following the opening of the National Tube Company, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, McKeesport was the fastest growing municipality in the nation. The city's population reached a peak of 55,355 in 1940. Families arrived from other parts of the eastern United States
, Italy
, Germany
, Russia
, Poland
, Czechoslovakia
, and Hungary
, with most working at the National Tube Company. National Tube closed in the 1980s, along with other U.S. Steel plants in the Mon Valley.
met in McKeesport for their first of five debates on April 22, 1947, to debate labor issues. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_611870.html
of the Monongahela
and Youghiogheny
rivers.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.4 square miles (14 km²), of which 5 square miles (12.9 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²), or 7.06%, is water.
, there were 24,040 people, 9,655 households, and 5,976 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,806.9 people per square mile (1,856.4/km²). There were 11,124 housing units at an average density of 2,224.3 per square mile (859.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.40% White, 24.46% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races
, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.
Households: There were 9,655 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples
living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.01.
Age Distribution: The population was well distributed by age, with 25.4% under 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males; for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.8 males.
Income: The median income for a household in the city was $23,715, and the median income for a family was $31,577. Males had a median income of $27,412 versus $21,977 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,242. About 18.1% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.9% 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...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; it is located at the confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of the Monongahela
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
and Youghiogheny
Youghiogheny River
The Youghiogheny River , or the Yough for short, is a tributary of the Monongahela River in the U.S. states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
rivers 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...
. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census. It is the second largest city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
(not including townships
Township (Pennsylvania)
A township in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a state of the United States of America, is one of four types of municipalities in the state . Townships were established based on convenient geographical boundaries and vary in size from six to forty square miles...
, boroughs
Borough (Pennsylvania)
In the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is usually smaller than a city. There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania. All municipalities in Pennsylvania are classified as either cities, boroughs, or townships...
, and Home Rule Municipalities
Home Rule Municipality (Pennsylvania)
A Home Rule Municipality in Pennsylvania is one incorporated under its own unique charter, created pursuant to the state's Home Rule and Optional Plans Law and approved by referendum. "Local governments without home rule can only act where specifically authorized by state law; home rule...
) in the county after Pittsburgh.
Settled in 1795 and named in honor of John McKee, its founder, McKeesport remained a village until 1830 when coal mining
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
began in the region. Large deposits of bituminous coal
Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal or black coal is a relatively soft coal containing a tarlike substance called bitumen. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than Anthracite...
existed.
McKeesport was incorporated as a borough in 1842 and as a city in 1891. Its population grew steadily until the mid 20th century, when it peaked in the 1940s. The city's population in 1900 was 34,227; in 1910, 42,694; in 1920, 45,975; and in 1940, 55,355. The decrease in the population since the 1940s is attributable to the general economic malaise that descended upon the region when the steelmaking industry moved elsewhere. The major employer was the National Tube Works, a manufacturer of iron pipes, which once employed 10,000 men. McKeesport was the site of the first G. C. Murphy
G. C. Murphy
G.C. Murphy is a defunct chain of five and dime or variety stores in the United States.- Origins of chain :The chain was founded in 1906 in the Pittsburgh suburb of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, by George Clinton Murphy. Murphy had gotten his start in retail as a manager of a McCrory's store in 1896...
five-and-ten-cent store.
History
John McKee, an original settler of Philadelphia and son of David McKee, built a log cabin near the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, the site of present-day McKeesport. After taking over his father's local river ferryFerry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
business, he devised a plan for a city to be called McKee's Port. John set out his proposal in the Pittsburgh Gazette, as part of a program under which new residents could purchase plots of land for $20.00 (a lottery was the means to distribute the plots to avoid complaints from new land owners concerning "inferior" locations).
Around the time of the French and Indian Wars
French and Indian Wars
The French and Indian Wars is a name used in the United States for a series of conflicts lasting 74 years in North America that represented colonial events related to the European dynastic wars...
, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
often came to McKeesport to visit his friend, Queen Alliquippa
Queen Alliquippa
Queen Alliquippa was a leader of the Seneca tribe of American Indians during the early part of the 18th century.Little is known about Alliquippa's early life...
, a Seneca Indian ruler. After being settled by the McKee family in 1795, McKeesport began to grow in 1830 when coal mining began. The first schoolhouse was built in 1832, with James E. Huey as its schoolmaster (Huey Street in McKeesport is named for him). The city's first steel mill was established in 1851.
The National Tube Company opened in 1872 and became part of U.S. Steel
U.S. Steel
The United States Steel Corporation , more commonly known as U.S. Steel, is an integrated steel producer with major production operations in the United States, Canada, and Central Europe. The company is the world's tenth largest steel producer ranked by sales...
. In the years directly following the opening of the National Tube Company, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, McKeesport was the fastest growing municipality in the nation. The city's population reached a peak of 55,355 in 1940. Families arrived from other parts of the eastern United States
Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. The first two tiers of states west of the Mississippi have traditionally been considered part of the West, but can be included in the East today; usually in...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, with most working at the National Tube Company. National Tube closed in the 1980s, along with other U.S. Steel plants in the Mon Valley.
Kennedy-Nixon debate
Thirteen years before both faced off in some of the most memorable televised Presidential debates, future presidents (and contemporary Senators) Richard M. Nixon and John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
met in McKeesport for their first of five debates on April 22, 1947, to debate labor issues. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_611870.html
Geography
McKeesport is located at 40°20′38"N 79°50′56"W (40.343919, -79.848844). McKeesport is about 12 miles (19.3 km) upstream from (south of) Pittsburgh, at the confluenceConfluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of the Monongahela
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
and Youghiogheny
Youghiogheny River
The Youghiogheny River , or the Yough for short, is a tributary of the Monongahela River in the U.S. states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
rivers.
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 city has a total area of 5.4 square miles (14 km²), of which 5 square miles (12.9 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²), or 7.06%, is water.
Surrounding and adjacent communities
- DravosburgDravosburg, PennsylvaniaDravosburg is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 1,792 at the 2010 census...
(across the Monongahela River, via W.D. Mansfield Memorial BridgeW.D. Mansfield Memorial BridgeThe W.D. Mansfield Memorial Bridge, commonly known as the Dravosburg Bridge, is a cantilever bridge that carries vehicular traffic across the Monongahela River between McKeesport, Pennsylvania and Dravosburg, Pennsylvania...
) - DuquesneDuquesne, PennsylvaniaDuquesne is a city along the Monongahela River in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. The population was 5,565 at the 2010 census.-History:...
(across the Monongahela River, via McKeesport-Duquesne BridgeMcKeesport-Duquesne BridgeThe McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge it is a truss bridge that carries vehicular traffic across the Monongahela River between McKeesport, Pennsylvania and Duquesne, Pennsylvania. The bridge connects Route 837 in Duquesne and Route 148 in McKeesport....
) - VersaillesVersailles, PennsylvaniaVersailles is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,515 at the 2010 census. Despite being named after the extraordinary Palace of Versailles, the name of the borough is almost universally pronounced ver-sales by residents of the area.-Geography:Versailles...
- Port VuePort Vue, PennsylvaniaPort Vue is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,798 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Port Vue is located in western Pennsylvania along the Youghiogheny River near its confluence with the more navigable Monongahela River...
- White OakWhite Oak, PennsylvaniaWhite Oak is a suburban Pittsburgh borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,862 at the 2010 census.The borough's motto is "Come Grow With Us."-Geography:White Oak is located at ....
- North VersaillesNorth Versailles, PennsylvaniaNorth Versailles is a first class township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,229 at the 2010 census.-History:...
(borders McKeesport's Highland Grove section to the north)
Demographics
The population has fallen to less than half of its war-time high. In 2008 the U.S. Census estimated that only 22,130 people remained. As of the 2000 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...
, there were 24,040 people, 9,655 households, and 5,976 families residing in the city. 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 4,806.9 people per square mile (1,856.4/km²). There were 11,124 housing units at an average density of 2,224.3 per square mile (859.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.40% White, 24.46% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.59% 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 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.
Households: There were 9,655 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% 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, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.01.
Age Distribution: The population was well distributed by age, with 25.4% under 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males; for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.8 males.
Income: The median income for a household in the city was $23,715, and the median income for a family was $31,577. Males had a median income of $27,412 versus $21,977 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 city was $13,242. About 18.1% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.9% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Points of interest
- Renziehausen Park Rose Garden and ArboretumRenziehausen Park Rose Garden and ArboretumRenziehausen Park Rose Garden and Arboretum is a city park with rose garden and arboretum located on Eden Park Boulevard off Walnut Street, in the Pittsburgh suburb of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. It is open to the public daily without charge....
- Penn State University - Greater Allegheny Campus
- McKeesport Area High SchoolMcKeesport Area High SchoolMcKeesport Area High School is a public high school located in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, in the United States.The school, which is located at 1960 Eden Park Boulevard, serves students from Dravosburg, McKeesport, South Versailles, Versailles, and White Oak....
Notable people
Actors and broadcasters
- Ed Coulter, actor, portrayed "The Crypt Keeper" on 100 episodes of Tales from the CryptTales from the Crypt (TV series)Tales from the Crypt, sometimes titled HBO's Tales from the Crypt, is an American horror anthology television series that ran from 1989 to 1996 on the premium cable channel HBO...
- Grover DaleGrover DaleGrover Dale is an American actor, dancer, choreographer and theatre director.-Early years:Dale was born Grover Robert Aitken in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Ronal Rittenhouse Aitken, a restaurateur, and Emma Bertha Ammon...
, actor, dancer, choreographer, director - Aline MacMahonAline MacMahonAline MacMahon was an American actress. Her career began on stage in 1921. She worked extensively in film and television until her retirement in 1975. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Dragon Seed .-Early life:Aline Laveen MacMahon was born...
, Oscar-nominated actress - Tamara TunieTamara TunieTamara Renee Tunie is an American actress. She is best known for her portrayal of attorney Jessica Griffin on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, and medical examiner Melinda Warner on the NBC police drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit...
, actress
Musicians and artists
- Byron JanisByron JanisByron Janis is an American classical pianist.-Life:He made several recordings for RCA Victor and Mercury Records, and occupies two volumes of the Philips Great Pianists series. His discography covers repertoire from Beethoven to David Guion and includes renditions of major piano concertos from...
, pianist - Henrietta LeaverHenrietta LeaverHenrietta Leaver , Miss Pittsburgh, was crowned Miss America on September 7, 1935 at Atlantic City, New Jersey...
, Miss America 1935 - Duane MichalsDuane MichalsDuane Michals is an American photographer. Michals' work makes innovative use of photo-sequences, often incorporating text to examine emotion and philosophy.-Education and career:...
, photographer - Sam SneedSam SneedSam Sneed is a producer and rapper. He originally got his start working as a producer for K-Solo and the Hit Squad.-Death Row Records:...
, music producer and rapper - Jerry TachoirJerry TachoirJerry Tachoir is a jazz vibraphone and marimba performer, originally from McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Tachoir has performed at jazz festivals and concert halls and, as an artist and clinician for the Ludwig-Musser division of Conn-Selmer, presented jazz improvisation clinics and mallet master...
, jazz vibraphoneVibraphoneThe vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family....
and marimbaMarimbaThe marimba is a musical instrument in the percussion family. It consists of a set of wooden keys or bars with resonators. The bars are struck with mallets to produce musical tones. The keys are arranged as those of a piano, with the accidentals raised vertically and overlapping the natural keys ...
player
Writers
- Bob Carroll, Jr., television screenwriter noted for his work on I Love LucyI Love LucyI Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
- Marc ConnellyMarc ConnellyMarcus Cook Connelly was an American playwright, director, producer, performer, and lyricist. He was a key member of the Algonquin Round Table, and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1930.-Biography:...
, playwright - John HoerrJohn HoerrJohn Hoerr is an American journalist and historian best known for his work on organized labor, industry, and politics.He was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, a steelmaking town in the Monongahela River Valley south of Pittsburgh. He graduated from McKeesport High School and Penn State University...
, journalist and author of And the Wolf Finally Came: The Decline of the American Steel Industry - David KalstoneDavid KalstoneDavid Kalstone , was an American writer and literary critic.-Biography:Kalstone, born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, was the recipient of a Fulbright scholarship and studied at the University of Cambridge. He taught at Harvard University starting in 1959 and was a professor of English at Rutgers...
, writer and literary critic - Robert M. McBrideRobert M. McBrideRobert Medill McBride was the publisher of James Branch Cabell and the later books of Frank Buck .-Early years:...
, writer and publisher
Academia
- George MarcusGeorge MarcusGeorge Marcus is an American anthropologist, founder of the journal and editor of the series.-Biography:Marcus served as the Joseph D. Jamail Professor at Rice University, where he chaired the anthropology department for 25 years...
, anthropologist - Merrill SingerMerrill SingerMerrill Singer is a medical anthropologist with a dual appointment in the Department of Anthropology and the Center for Health, Intervention and Prevention, University of Connecticut. He is also a professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Health Care at the University of Connecticut...
, anthropologist - Herbert SpiegelHerbert SpiegelHerbert Spiegel was an American psychiatrist who popularized therapeutic hypnosis as a mainstream medical treatment for patients suffering from pain, anxiety and addictions...
, psychiatrist, "father of hypnosis" - Robert E. Nahory, physicist
Baseball
- Tim ConroyTim ConroyTimothy James Conroy was a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals ....
, former major leagueMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher - Brian HoltonBrian HoltonBrian John Holton , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues primarily in relief from 1985-1990. He was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers 1988 World Series winners, notching a save in game 5 of the 1988 NLCS against the New York Mets along the way...
, former MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher - Rick KrivdaRick KrivdaRick Michael Krivda pitched 12 years in professional baseball and won a gold medal in the 2000 Olympics....
, MLB pitcher and 2000 Olympic gold medalist - Tom QualtersTom QualtersThomas Francis Qualters , nicknamed Money Bags, is a former right-handed major league baseball pitcher, born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He played with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox in the 1950s....
, former MLB pitcher - Bill Robinson, former MLB outfielder and coach
Football
- Jim BeirneJim BeirneJim Beirne was a wide receiver who played collegiately at Purdue University, where he was an All-American, and professionally for the Houston Oilers of the American Football League, and the NFL's Oilers and San Diego Chargers.-See also:...
, former NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
wide receiver - Maurice LeggettMaurice LeggettMaurice Lamar Leggett is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He entered the NFL as a free agent in May 2008. He played college football for Valdosta State University. Won the Mack Lee Hill Award as the Kansas City Chiefs top rookie for 2008. On November 25, 2009, Leggett...
, former Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
cornerback - Mike Logan, former Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
safety - Bob LongBob LongRobert Andrew "Bob" Long is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played in the 1960s and 1970s and earned two Super Bowl rings. He attended suburban Pittsburgh's Washington Township High School , and Wichita State University...
, former NFL wide receiver - Bill MillerBill Miller (American football)William Joseph Miller is a former professional American football wide receiver in the American Football League. He played six seasons for the Dallas Texans , the Buffalo Bills , and the Oakland Raiders...
, former AFLAmerican Football LeagueThe American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
wide receiver - George MrkonicGeorge MrkonicGeorge Ralph Mrkonic is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles. He also played in the Canadian Football League for the BC Lions....
, football player for the University of KansasUniversity of KansasThe University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The... - Brandon ShortBrandon ShortBrandon Darrell Short is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League...
, former NFL linebacker - Russell StuvaintsRussell StuvaintsRussell Stuvaints, is an American football defensive back for Team Arkansas of the All American Football League, and formerly for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League.-High school career:...
, former Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
safety - Jim TrimbleJim TrimbleJames W. "Jim" Trimble was a football coach who served as head coach in both the National Football League and Canadian Football League, but his legacy is more connected to football products, thanks to his "slingshot" goal posts...
, former NFL and CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
head football coach
Politicians and governmental leaders
- Queen AlliquippaQueen AlliquippaQueen Alliquippa was a leader of the Seneca tribe of American Indians during the early part of the 18th century.Little is known about Alliquippa's early life...
, leader of the Seneca tribe of American IndiansNative Americans in the United StatesNative Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
during the early part of the 18th century - Frank BuchananFrank BuchananFrank Buchanan was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Frank Buchanan was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He married future Representative Vera Daerr on January 4, 1929...
, former mayor of McKeesport and member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, husband of Vera Buchanan - Vera BuchananVera BuchananVera Daerr Buchanan was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.- Biography :...
, former member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, wife of Frank Buchanan - William Henry ColemanWilliam Henry ColemanWilliam Henry Coleman was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:...
, former member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... - Marc GergelyMarc GergelyMarc J. Gergely is a Democratic Party member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing the 35th District and was elected in 2002. He is currently the Deputy Whip and is the only Democrat from Allegheny County to serve on the Labor Committee....
, Pennsylvania state representative - John E. McLaughlinJohn E. McLaughlinJohn Edward McLaughlin is the former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and former Acting Director of Central Intelligence. McLaughlin is an accomplished magician and lectured on magic at the 2006 International Brotherhood of Magicians Annual Convention in Miami, Florida...
, former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence - Bill ShusterBill ShusterWilliam Shuster is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a son of former Congressman Bud Shuster.-Early life, education and career:...
, member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... - Frederick A. Bray, former first African-American Fire Chief
Military heroes
- Donald M. CarpenterDonald M. CarpenterDonald Marshall Carpenter was an early naval aviator in the United States Navy flying from the and . These were the first two aircraft carriers of the U.S. Navy. He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in the Class of 1916 representing Pennsylvania. He is the namesake of the .-Family:His father...
, aviator in the U.S. Navy - Franklin J. Phillips, also known as Harry Fisher, United States Marine and Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe 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
Business and industry
- Helen RicheyHelen RicheyHelen Richey was a pioneering female aviator and the first woman to be hired as a pilot by a commercial airline in the United States....
, first woman pilot of a commercial airliner - Robert J. StevensRobert J. StevensRobert J. Stevens, born in 1951, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin.-Early life:Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Mr. Stevens is a summa cum laude graduate of Slippery Rock University from which he received the Distinguished Alumni Award...
, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed MartinLockheed MartinLockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....