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Scottdale, Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 40°06′55″N 79°35′59″W / 40.11528°N 79.59972°W / 40.11528; -79.59972
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Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Borough
Pittsburgh Street in Downtown Scottdale
Pittsburgh Street in Downtown Scottdale
Location of Scottdale in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Location of Scottdale in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Scottdale, Pennsylvania is located in Pennsylvania
Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 40°06′55″N 79°35′59″W / 40.11528°N 79.59972°W / 40.11528; -79.59972
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountyWestmoreland
Settled1872
Incorporated1874
Government
 • TypeBorough Council
Area
[1]
 • Total1.16 sq mi (3.00 km2)
 • Land1.16 sq mi (3.00 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,020 ft (310 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total4,384
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
4,094
 • Density3,535.41/sq mi (1,365.30/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip Code
15683
FIPS code42-68432
WebsiteScottdale Chamber of Commerce

Scottdale is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, 32 miles (51 km) southeast of Pittsburgh.

Early in the 20th century, Scottdale was the center of the Frick coke interests. It had steel and iron pipe mills, brass and silver works, a casket factory, a large milk-pasteurizing plant, and machine shops; all of the aforementioned are presently defunct. Scottdale is notable for its economic decline from a formerly prosperous coke-town into an archetypal Rust Belt town. Duraloy Technologies, "a supplier of specialty high alloy, centrifugal and static cast components and assemblies"[3] is the last remnant of Scottdale's steel related prosperity.

In 1900, 4,261 people lived in Scottdale; in 1910, the population increased to 5,456; and in 1940, 6,493 people lived in Scottdale. The population was 4,384 at the 2010 census. Scottdale is located in the Southmoreland School District.

History[edit]

1770's-1900: Early history[edit]

Jacob Loucks House, built in 1853, Scottdale's oldest building
Historic buildings at the corner of Pittsburgh and South Broadway streets, c. 1890
Central Hotel, c. 1910
The Scottdale train station

It is difficult to identify when the first non-Indian settler arrived in what is now the Borough of Scottdale, although the area witnessed an influx of Scotch-Irish immigrants in the late 1770s. In the mid-19th century, part of the present-day townsite was the location of a distillery, flour mill and post office known as Fountain Mills.[4]

The Pennsylvania Railroad and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad each built branch lines through the community in the early 1870s. With the coming of the railroads, the community’s economy shifted from agriculture to manufacturing and mining. Two brothers who were local farmers, Peter and Jacob Loucks, realized the impact the railroads could have on the area and laid out a small townsite consisting of 24 lots, which went on sale in 1872.[5]

The borough was originally named Fountain Mills, a reference to several mills that were operated in the borough. Scottdale was incorporated as a borough on February 5, 1874 and at that time named in honor of Thomas A. Scott, who had been president of the Pennsylvania Railroad and served as Assistant Secretary of War during the Civil War.[6] Because Scottdale sits atop major coal deposits, the community flourished due to the surrounding coal mines, as well as ovens for converting coal into coke (fuel). The H. C. Frick Coke Company, controlled by Henry Clay Frick, was headquartered here. Scottdale’s factories in the early 20th century also produced iron pipe, tin, knives, steam engines, and caskets.

Scottdale has two sites on the National Register of Historic Places: Scottdale Armory (1929) at 501 North Broadway Street,[7] and the Scottdale Historic District, which encompasses the oldest parts of the borough.[4]

The oldest extant building in the borough is the Jacob Loucks House at 115 Walnut Avenue, built in 1853.[4] Otherwise, the borough’s oldest residences are concentrated on Loucks Avenue, where many houses date from the 1880s. As well, three downtown retail buildings can be dated to approximately 1880: 101 Pittsburgh Street, 143 Pittsburgh Street, and 4-10 South Broadway Street.[4]

The West Overton Museum in Scottdale is the only pre-Civil War village still intact today in Pennsylvania. It was named to the National Register of Historic Districts in 1985 as an outstanding example of a 19th-century rural industrial village complete with farm, two floors of the Overholt Mill/Distillery, industrial tools, Blacksmith Shop, a wash house and a smokehouse. It is a stop on the American Whiskey Trail[8]

1900-1968: Economic prosperity[edit]

Scottdale was home to 30,000 coke ovens in the early 1900's.[9] These coke ovens were operated by hundreds of mining companies, this was due to Scottdale's location on the Pennsylvania Railroad which allowed these companies to ship coal and coke to major cities across the United States. Many of these mines were affected greatly by the Great Depression in 1929, leading to several of their closures.

The Coal and Coke Bike Trail in Scottdale was opened on the former route used by the Pennsylvania Railroad to ship coal and coke from Scottdale to Mount Pleasant. It encompasses five and a half miles of abandoned railroad and is maintained by volunteers from the Coal and Coke Chapter of the Regional Trail Corporation.[10]

After the events of the Great Depression, new industrial work began to arise. One in particular, Duraloy Technologies, was opened sometime in the 1920's. Duraloy became the first company in the United States to create heat resistant alloys used for creating metal products. The company remains opened in its original building as of July 2024.[11]

In 1900, The Geyer Performing Arts Center opened on Pittsburgh Street. It was originally an opera house and hosted vaudeville performances. In 1912, the building was sold and renamed The Scottdale Theater and was converted into a movie theater. The building changed hands once again in 1926 and renamed The Strand. The Strand was one of the first theaters to be equipped with a system that allowed for films with sound to be introduced. The Strand closed in 1969. With its reopening in April 1987, the theater shifted to stage theater performances, which it still holds as of June 2024. The Geyer has also been home to stand up comedy acts as well as concert performances. [12]

1969-present: Proposed mall construction and Fall Festival[edit]

The gazebo in downtown Scottdale, erected in 1976.
Southmoreland students participating in the 2016 Fall Festival Parade.

In 1969, Scottdale attempted an urban renewal project by building a mall. The mall was set to be located on Pittsburgh and North Broadway Streets in downtown Scottdale with a two pump gas station next-door. The development was to be equipped with several chain stores such as Giant Eagle and a Thorofare store. To prepare the site, new sidewalks, wiring and sewer lines were completed by June 1970.[13]

By December 1970, the area was still not developed, with much of the businesses on the left side of Pittsburgh street being torn down to make room for the shopping plaza. Lanes of travel to access the area were left unpaved and only one lone bid had been accepted on space in the plaza, that being for the gas station that was to open next-door.[14] Funding for the project began to run out with Scottdale's borough council refusing to give funding until buyers for lots began to show interest. The budget for a parking lot would be approved of in December 1971.[15]

The mall continued to develop into September 1972 with one more bid being placed on space within the proposed plaza.[16] Progress was finally made on the plaza in October 1974 when the borough signed a contract with a Uniontown based company to begin building on the site.[17] By 1975, the mall project ceased, bringing the six year ordeal to an end.

On Saturday, May 1, 1976, the area of the former would-be mall was dedicated as a park. In the park, a gazebo was erected as well as three flagpoles. A walkway was also introduced to access the park from Pittsburgh Street.[18] In the decades since the failed mall project, Scottdale has opened a Rite-Aid Pharmacy, a YMCA Pool, public library and Veteran Memorial in place of the former development.

Scottdale has also used the space annually for their Fall Festival. Since 1973, the Scottdale Fall Festival has hosted multiple outdoor vendors, music performances and an annual parade which is participated in by local businesses as well as high school groups such as the Southmoreland football team and marching band. [19] The Fall Festival is also where Southmoreland High School's homecoming king and queen are crowned.

Education[edit]

Further information: Southmoreland School District

Scottdale is part of the Southmoreland School District. Students who attend local school district are known as the "Scotties," a name that carried over when the Scottdale ("Scottdale Scotties") and East Huntington Township school districts merged to form Southmoreland School District. The mascot is a Scottish Terrier.

Geography[edit]

Scottdale is located at 40°6′55″N 79°35′59″W / 40.11528°N 79.59972°W / 40.11528; -79.59972 (40.102410, -79.591078).[20]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), all land.

Nearby cities: Pittsburgh (34.5 miles), Connellsville (6.0 miles), Dawson (6.0 miles), Everson (0.9 miles), Hunker (7.3 miles), Mount Pleasant (4.7 miles), New Stanton (8.2 miles), South Connellsville (7.2 miles), Vanderbilt (6.9 miles).

Surrounding neighborhoods[edit]

Scottdale has three borders, including East Huntingdon to the north, northwest and west and the Fayette County neighborhoods of Upper Tyrone Township from the east-northeast to the south and Everson to the south.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18801,275—
18902,693111.2%
19004,26158.2%
19105,45628.0%
19205,7685.7%
19306,71416.4%
19406,493−3.3%
19506,249−3.8%
19606,244−0.1%
19705,818−6.8%
19805,8330.3%
19905,184−11.1%
20004,772−7.9%
20104,384−8.1%
20204,4301.0%
Sources:[21][22][23]

As of the census[22] of 2000, there were 4,772 people, 2,034 households, and 1,309 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,094.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,581.0/km2). There were 2,214 housing units at an average density of 1,899.9 per square mile (733.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.13% White, 1.11% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.

There were 2,034 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $32,000, and the median income for a family was $41,114. Males had a median income of $31,843 versus $22,143 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,994. About 5.2% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education Levels: High School or higher: 87.2%, Bachelor's Degree or higher: 18.3%, Graduate or Professional Degree: 6.2%

Ancestries: 35.7% German, 12% Polish, 11.8% Irish, 10.5% Italian, 10.3% English, 4.6% Scottish.

Scottdale's crime rate is less than 40% of the national average.

Notable people[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "Duraloy Technologies Inc". Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  4. ^ a b c d "National Register of Historical Places - Scottdale Historic District" (PDF). ARCH: Pennsylvania's Historic Architecture & Archeology. Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  5. ^ Boucher, John N. (1918). Old and New Westmoreland, Volume 2. New York, New York: American Historical Society. pp. 558–559.
  6. ^ "Scottdale Chamber of Commerce". Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  7. ^ "National Register of Historical Places - Scottdale Armory" (PDF). ARCH: Pennsylvania's Historic Architecture & Archeology. Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  8. ^ "American Whisky Trail". Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  9. ^ https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america/community/scottdale-pennsylvania#:~:text=Scottdale%20was%20located%20in%20the,hard%20by%20great%20industrial%20losses.
  10. ^ https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america/community/scottdale-pennsylvania#:~:text=Scottdale%20was%20located%20in%20the,hard%20by%20great%20industrial%20losses.
  11. ^ https://duraloytechnologies.com/about
  12. ^ https://geyerpac.com/history
  13. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-scottdale-mall/150710867/
  14. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-scottdale-mall-2/150711186/
  15. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-scottdale-mall-3-parki/150711506/
  16. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-one-more-bid-1972/150711695/
  17. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-progress-1974/150711995/
  18. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-scottdale-gazebo-park/150712513/
  19. ^ https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/scottdale-fall-festival-to-kick-off-150th-birthday-celebrations/#:~:text=The%20Scottdale%20Fall%20Festival%20is,birthday%20celebrations%20for%20the%20borough.
  20. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  21. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  22. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  23. ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.

External links[edit]

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