McKeesport, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
 McKeesport City Hall, builtc. 1890 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: Tube City | |
 Location of McKeesport inAllegheny County, Pennsylvania (right) and of Allegheny County inPennsylvania (left) | |
| Coordinates:40°20′38″N79°50′56″W / 40.34389°N 79.84889°W /40.34389; -79.84889 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Allegheny |
| Settled | 1795 |
| Incorporated (borough) | September 3, 1842 |
| Incorporated (city) | January 15, 1891 |
| Founded by | John McKee |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Michael Cherepko (D) |
| • State House | Dan Goughnour (D) |
| • State Senate | Nick Pisciottano (D) |
| • U.S. House | Summer Lee (D) |
| Area | |
• Total | 5.44 sq mi (14.10 km2) |
| • Land | 5.05 sq mi (13.08 km2) |
| • Water | 0.39 sq mi (1.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 760 ft (230 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 17,727 |
| • Density | 3,510.7/sq mi (1,355.48/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Zip Code | 15132 |
| Area Code | 412 |
| FIPS code | 42-46256 |
| Waterways | |
| Transit | Pittsburgh Regional Transit |
| Website | mckeesport-pa |
McKeesport is acity inAllegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. A suburb ofPittsburgh, it is situated at theconfluence of theMonongahela andYoughiogheny rivers. The population was 17,727 as of the2020 census.
David McKee emigrated from Scotland and was the first permanent white settler at the forks of theMonongahela andYoughiogheny Rivers, the site of present-day McKeesport, in 1755. Around the time of theFrench and Indian Wars,George Washington often came to McKeesport to visit his friend,Queen Alliquippa, aSeneca Indian ruler. The Colonial Government granted David McKee exclusive right of ferriage over those rivers on April 3, 1769, called "McKee's Port".[3]
His son, John McKee, an original settler ofPhiladelphia, built a log cabin at this location. After taking over his father's local riverferry business, he devised a plan for a city to be called McKee's Port in 1795.[4] John set out his proposal in thePittsburgh Gazette, as part of a program under which new residents could purchase plots of land for $20.00. A lottery was used to distribute the plots to avoid complaints from new land owners concerning "inferior" locations.
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McKeesport, then part ofVersailles Township, began to grow in 1830 whenmining of the large deposits ofbituminous coal in the region began. The first schoolhouse was built in 1832, with James E. Huey as its schoolmaster.[citation needed]
McKeesport was incorporated as a borough in 1842, and the city's first steel mill was established in 1851. TheNational Tube Works[5] opened in 1872, and in the years directly following, according to theU.S. Census Bureau, McKeesport was the fastest growing municipality in the nation.[6] Families arrived from other parts of the eastern United States, Italy, Germany, Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary, with most working at the National Tube Works.
McKeesport rose to national importance during the 1900s as a center for manufacturing steel. In 1899, the National Tube Works Company was consolidated with twenty other pipemaking firms in the northeastern United States to form the National Tube Company.[7] In 1901, the National Tube Company and nine other major American steel companies merged to formU.S. Steel.[8]
The city was once home to a thrivingJewish community, with four synagogues, a community centre and several Jewish-owned businesses and stores. By 1919, it had the state's second-largest Jewish population afterPittsburgh and peaked in the late 1930s, with a population of 6,850, making up 12% of the population.[9]
The city's population continued to grow steadily, reaching a peak of 55,355 in 1940. The subsequent decline since then is attributable to the general economic malaise that descended upon the region when the steelmaking industry moved elsewhere.[citation needed]
OnJune 23, 1944, anF4 tornado struck the southern part of McKeesport, killing 17 people. Many multiple-story residences collapsed. In all, 88 homes in the city were destroyed, 306 were damaged, and 400 other buildings were damaged or destroyed.[10]
Thirteen years before both faced off in some of the most memorable televised Presidential debates, future presidents (and contemporaryU.S. Representatives)Richard M. Nixon andJohn F. Kennedy met in McKeesport for their first of five debates on April 22, 1947, to debate labor issues related to theTaft-Hartley Act.[11]
On May 21, 1976, downtown McKeesport experienced the largest fire in the city's history, referred to as the "Famous Fire", due to the fire beginning in the "Famous Department Store" on Market and Fifth Streets. The fire destroyed seven downtown structures, heavily damaged more than 12 others, and started fires in at least 10 homes due to hot embers blowing more than a half mile due to heavy gusting winds. Around 1,000 firefighters from more than 40 neighboring fire companies responded toassist, and a contingent of thePennsylvania Army National Guard were deployed. The McKeesport Daily News reported the next day that "only shells and piles of rubble" remained "where city landmarks once stood."[12][13]
National Tube closed in 1987, along with other U.S. Steel plants in the Mon Valley. The city, with the help of regional development agencies, has conducted efforts to revitalize the former mill sites.[14][15][16]
McKeesport has a total area of 5.4 square miles (14 km2), of which 5.0 square miles (13 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), or 7.06%, is water.[17] McKeesport is located about 12 miles (19 km) upstream, and south, fromPittsburgh, at theconfluence of theMonongahela andYoughiogheny rivers. The city is on theAllegheny Plateau, within theecoregion of theWestern Allegheny Plateau. The downtown area is located to the northwest, while the southern and eastern areas of the city are primarily residential.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, McKeesport has ahumid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.[18]
| Climate data for McKeesport, Pennsylvania | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39 (4) | 40 (4) | 51 (11) | 63 (17) | 71 (22) | 80 (27) | 84 (29) | 83 (28) | 76 (24) | 64 (18) | 53 (12) | 42 (6) | 62 (17) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 30 (−1) | 31 (−1) | 40 (4) | 51 (11) | 59 (15) | 68 (20) | 73 (23) | 72 (22) | 65 (18) | 53 (12) | 43 (6) | 34 (1) | 52 (11) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22 (−6) | 22 (−6) | 29 (−2) | 39 (4) | 47 (8) | 57 (14) | 61 (16) | 60 (16) | 53 (12) | 41 (5) | 33 (1) | 25 (−4) | 41 (5) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.7 (69) | 2.3 (58) | 3.2 (81) | 3.2 (81) | 3.7 (94) | 3.8 (97) | 3.6 (91) | 3.3 (84) | 3 (76) | 2.3 (58) | 2.5 (64) | 2.6 (66) | 36.1 (920) |
| Source: Weatherbase[19] | |||||||||||||
McKeesport has five land borders, including theTownship of North Versailles to the north-northeast, theBorough of White Oak to the east, andBorough of Versailles to the south. The section of the city west of the Monongahela River and Youghiogheny River confluence is bordered by theBorough of Port Vue to the south and theBorough of Glassport to the southwest. TheCity of Duquesne is located north across the Monongahela River, connected by theMcKeesport–Duquesne Bridge, as isDravosburg andWest Mifflin, connected by theW.D. Mansfield Memorial Bridge.Port Vue, theBorough of Liberty andElizabeth Township are located across the Youghiogheny River to the west, connected by the 15th Street Bridge.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,392 | — | |
| 1860 | 2,166 | 55.6% | |
| 1870 | 2,523 | 16.5% | |
| 1880 | 8,212 | 225.5% | |
| 1890 | 20,741 | 152.6% | |
| 1900 | 34,227 | 65.0% | |
| 1910 | 42,694 | 24.7% | |
| 1920 | 46,781 | 9.6% | |
| 1930 | 54,632 | 16.8% | |
| 1940 | 55,355 | 1.3% | |
| 1950 | 51,502 | −7.0% | |
| 1960 | 45,489 | −11.7% | |
| 1970 | 37,977 | −16.5% | |
| 1980 | 31,012 | −18.3% | |
| 1990 | 26,016 | −16.1% | |
| 2000 | 24,040 | −7.6% | |
| 2010 | 19,731 | −17.9% | |
| 2020 | 17,727 | −10.2% | |
| Sources:[20][21][22][23][24][2][25] | |||
The population has fallen to little more than a third of its wartime high, with the 2010 census recording fewer than twenty thousand residents in contrast to the fifty-five thousand of 1940.
As of thecensus[23] of 2000, there were 24,040 people, 9,655 households, and 5,976 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,806.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,856.0/km2). There were 11,124 housing units at an average density of 2,224.3 per square mile (858.8/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% fromother races, and 2.14% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.50% of the population.
There were 9,655 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% weremarried 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.
In the city, the population was spread out, 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.
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. Theper capita income for the city was $13,242. About 18.1% of families and 23.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 35.9% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
McKeesport's population is a diverse mix of races and nationalities. As a celebration of these heritages, McKeesport hosts an annual ethnic food festival and community celebration referred to as International Village. Started in 1960, the three-day festival is one of the Pittsburgh-area's largest and oldest ethnic festivals and features traditional cuisines from Africa, China, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, the Mediterranean, Mexico, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Vietnam.[26]
McKeesport operates under ahome rule charter based on a “Strong Mayor”/Council form of government, adopted in 1974.
Under the Home Rule Charter, theMayor is elected at large andcannot be a member of the City Council. The Mayor serves as the leader of the City government, and is vested exclusive executive and administrative authority. Under the Home Rule Charter, the Mayor may appoint a Deputy Mayor from among the department executives.[27]
The current mayor of McKeesport isDemocrat Michael Cherepko, a former City Councilman andMcKeesport Area School District teacher, He was elected in 2011, defeatingIndependent candidate Raymond Malinchak and was re-elected for a second and third term, commencing in January 2016 and January 2020 respectively. Mayors assume office in the January following election.
Mayor's Committees were first developed in their current form by Michael Cherepko and serve as advisory bodies with no formal powers. The Select Committee on Crime and Violence was formed in 2012, responsible for addressing the problems of crime and violence by utilizing resources and seeking funding for youth and adult initiatives.[28] The McKeesport Message Committee was subsequently developed as a subgroup to promote the city's message of "Respect, Dignity, Hope, and Love" which encourages residents' pride in the city. This subgroup promotes this through community and school engagement and creative marketing.[29] The Mayor's Committee on Community Issues was formed in 2014, responsible for providing dialogue between McKeesport residents, the Mayor's Office and other city departments.
The McKeesportCity Council consists of seven individuals elected “at large” for staggered four‐ year terms. A President and Vice President is elected among themselves. The Council acts as the legislative body and is responsible for establishing policy through the adoption of ordinances, resolutions, or motions. Most government action and legislative authority in City government rests with the City Council, as well as the confirmation of certain appointments by the mayor.[27]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 34%2,375 | 64%4,422 | 0%79 |
| 2020 | 34%2,573 | 64%4,797 | 0.9%73 |
| 2016 | 33%2,416 | 65%4,774 | 2%180 |
| 2012 | 28%2,093 | 71%5,358 | 1%54 |
The McKeesport Police Department was one of the largestmunicipal law enforcement agencies in the region. It currently employs 30 sworn officers, and is one of the few departments inAllegheny County with its owndetective bureau and traffic division.[33] It operates closely with theAllegheny County Police Department, which provides investigative and forensic services for serious crimes such as homicide and theAllegheny County Sheriff's Office, which provides transport and detention services. Other agencies also provide law enforcement within the city due to overlapping jurisdictions, such as thePort Authority Police Department, McKeesport Area School District, andPenn State Greater Allegheny Police & Public Safety.
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Pennsylvania Route 148 runs through downtown Mckeesport, ending in south McKeesport at the junction ofRoute 48. TheYellow Belt follows Route 148 from the east, to theJerome Street Bridge. Route 148 Truck runs exclusively within McKeesport, following Market Street three blocks to the west of the narrower mainline Route 148. McKeesport is also connected toRoute 837 by theMcKeesport-Duquesne Bridge, the terminus of theGreen Belt, providing a direct link to Pittsburgh.
McKeesport is the beginning of theCSXPittsburgh Subdivision, where it meets theMon Subdivision. It is also served by theTranstarUnion Railroad, which absorbed the McKeesport Connecting Railroad in 2013.[34][35]
Amtrak also provided intercity rail service via theCapitol Limited between Chicago and Washington, D.C., from 1982 to 1990.[36] The city was formerly served by thePATrain commuter service, known as the "McKeesporter", until 1989.
The city is served by thePittsburgh Regional Transit intracity and intercity bus network, and Heritage Community Transportation. TheMcKeesport Transportation Center serves as the primary transit hub of the city, and underwent a $1 million redevelopment in 2017.
Founded in 1894, UPMC McKeesport offers 216 beds for acute care patients and 56 beds for patients who need skilled nursing care. Located at 1500 Fifth Ave, the hospital joined theUPMC network in April 1998. Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Care Units recently closed, but the hospital continues to offer ongoing rehabilitation and educational programs to patients with cardiac, neurologic, and orthopaedic diagnoses. A newer, emergency room opened in December 1999.[citation needed]
McKeesport appears briefly in theMarvel comicDark Reign: Zodiac#1.
TheNetflix seriesMindhunter used downtown McKeesport as 1977Sacramento, California.[38]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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