McKeesport, Pennsylvania

McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States; it is situated at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census, and is Allegheny County's second-largest city, after Pittsburgh.[3]

McKeesport, Pennsylvania
City
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Tube City
Location in Allegheny County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Coordinates: 40°20′38″N 79°50′56″W
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Allegheny
Settled1795
Incorporated (borough)September 3, 1842
Founded byJohn McKee
Government
 • MayorMichael Cherepko (Democrat)
 • State HouseAustin Davis (D)
 • State SenateJim Brewster (D)
 • U.S. HouseMike Doyle (D)
Area
 • Total5.41 sq mi (14.02 km2)
 • Land5.04 sq mi (13.06 km2)
 • Water0.37 sq mi (0.95 km2)
Elevation
760 ft (230 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total19,731
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
19,009
 • Density3,815.42/sq mi (1,473.06/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Zip Code
15132
Area Code412
FIPS code42-46256
Waterways
TransitPort Authority Transit
Websitewww.mckeesport-pa.gov

History

Early history

David McKee emigrated from Scotland and was the first permanent white settler at the forks of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers, the site of present-day McKeesport, in 1755. 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. The Colonial Government granted David McKee exclusive right of ferrage over those rivers on April 3, 1769, called "McKee's Port "[4]

His son, John McKee, an original settler of Philadelphia, built a log cabin at this location. After taking over his father's local river ferry business, he devised a plan for a city to be called McKee's Port in 1795.[5] 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 used to distribute the plots to avoid complaints from new land owners concerning "inferior" locations.

1800s

McKeesport, then part of Versailles Township, began to grow in 1830 when mining of the large deposits of bituminous coal in the region began. The first schoolhouse was built in 1832, with James E. Huey as its schoolmaster.

Bird's-eye view of the National Tube Works in 1888.

McKeesport was incorporated as a borough in 1842, and the city's first steel mill was established in 1851. The National Tube Company opened in 1872, and in the years directly following, according to the U.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 Company.

1900s

McKeesport rose to national importance during the 1900s as a center for manufacturing steel. The National Tube works, now part of U.S Steel, employed around 10,000 men at one stage. The city was also the site of the first G. C. Murphy five-and-ten-cent store.

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.

Kennedy-Nixon debate

Three years before both faced off in some of the most memorable televised Presidential debates, future presidents (and contemporary U.S. Representatives) Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy met in McKeesport for their first of five debates on April 22, 1957, to debate labor issues related to the Taft-Hartley Act.[7]

The Famous Fire

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 to assist, and a contingent of the Pennsylvania 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."[8][9]

Closure of steel mills

National Tube closed in the 1980s, 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.[10][11][12]

Geography

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.[13] McKeesport is located about 12 miles (19 km) upstream, and south, from Pittsburgh, at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers. The city is on the Allegheny Plateau, within the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau. The downtown area is located to the northwest, while the southern and eastern areas of the city are primarily residential.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, McKeesport has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.[14]

Climate data for McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 4
(39)		 4
(40)		 11
(51)		 17
(63)		 22
(71)		 27
(80)		 29
(84)		 28
(83)		 24
(76)		 18
(64)		 12
(53)		 6
(42)		 17
(62)
Daily mean °C (°F) −1
(30)		 −1
(31)		 4
(40)		 11
(51)		 15
(59)		 20
(68)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 18
(65)		 12
(53)		 6
(43)		 1
(34)		 11
(52)
Average low °C (°F) −6
(22)		 −6
(22)		 −2
(29)		 4
(39)		 8
(47)		 14
(57)		 16
(61)		 16
(60)		 12
(53)		 5
(41)		 1
(33)		 −4
(25)		 5
(41)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 69
(2.7)		 58
(2.3)		 81
(3.2)		 81
(3.2)		 94
(3.7)		 97
(3.8)		 91
(3.6)		 84
(3.3)		 76
(3)		 58
(2.3)		 64
(2.5)		 66
(2.6)		 920
(36.1)
Source: Weatherbase[15]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18501,392—
18602,16655.6%
18702,52316.5%
18808,212225.5%
189020,741152.6%
190034,22765.0%
191042,69424.7%
192046,7819.6%
193054,63216.8%
194055,3551.3%
195051,502−7.0%
196045,489−11.7%
197037,977−16.5%
198031,012−18.3%
199026,016−16.1%
200024,040−7.6%
201019,731−17.9%
Est. 201919,009[2]−3.7%
Sources:[16][17][18][19][20]

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 the census[19] 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 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.

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.

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. 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.

Culture

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.[21]

Health care

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 the UPMC network in April 1998. In addition to an Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Care Unit, the hospital offers ongoing rehabilitation and educational programs to patients with cardiac, neurologic, and orthopaedic diagnoses. A new, state-of-the-art emergency room opened in December 1999.

Law, Government and Politics

Government
McKeesport City Hall, built circa 1890.

McKeesport operates under a Home Rule Charter based on a “Strong Mayor”/Council form of government, adopted in 1974.

Mayor

Under the Home Rule Charter, the Mayor is elected at large and cannot 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.[22]

The current Mayor of McKeesport is Democrat Michael Cherepko, a former City Councilman and McKeesport Area School District teacher, He was elected in 2011, defeating Independent 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

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.[23] 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.[24] 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.

City Council

The McKeesport City 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.[22]

Politics
Presidential Elections Results[25][26]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 33% 2,416 65% 4,774 2% 180
2012 28% 2,093 71% 5,358 1% 54

Law Enforcement
Main article: McKeesport Police Department

The McKeesport Police Department is one of the largest municipal law enforcement agencies in the region, presently employing 52 sworn officers, and is one of the few departments in Allegheny County with its own detective bureau and traffic division.[27] It operates closely with the Allegheny County Police Department, which provides investigative and forensic services for serious crimes such as homicide and the Allegheny 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 the Port Authority Police Department and Penn State Greater Allegheny Police & Public Safety.

Transport

Road

Pennsylvania Route 148 runs through downtown Mckeesport, ending in south McKeesport at the junction of Route 48. The Yellow Belt follows Route 148 from the east, to the Jerome Street Bridge. Route 148 Truck runs exclusively within McKeesport, following Market Street three blocks to the west of the narrower mainline Route 148.[28]

McKeesport is also connected to Route 837 by the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge, the terminus of the Green Belt, providing a direct link to Pittsburgh.

Rail

McKeesport is the beginning of the CSX Pittsburgh Subdivision, where it meets the Mon Subdivision. It is also served by the Transtar Union Railroad, which absorbed the McKeesport Connecting Railroad in 2013.[29][30]

The city was formerly served by the PATrain commuter service, known as the "Mckeesporter", until 1989.

Amtrak also provided intercity rail service via the Capitol Limited between Chicago and Washington D.C. from 1982 to 1990.[31]

Public Transport

The city is served by the Port Authority of Allegheny County intracity and intercity bus network, and Heritage Community Transportation. The McKeesport Transportation Center serves as the primary transit hub of the city, and underwent a $1 million redevelopment in 2017.

Surrounding and adjacent communities

McKeesport has five land borders, including the Township of North Versailles to the north-northeast, the Borough of White Oak to the east, and Borough of Versailles to the south. The section of the city west of the Monongahela River and Youghiogheny River confluence is bordered by the Borough of Port Vue to the south and the Borough of Glassport to the southwest. The City of Duquesne is located north across the Monongahela River, connected by the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge, as is Dravosburg and West Mifflin, connected by the W.D. Mansfield Memorial Bridge. Port Vue, the Borough of Liberty and Elizabeth Township are located across the Youghiogheny River to the west, connected by the 15th Street Bridge.

Landmarks

Notable people

Actors and broadcasters

Musicians and artists

Writers

Academia

Sports

Auto Racing
  • Tommy Gale, NASCAR Winston Cup driver in the 1970s and 1980s
  • Jeff Kline IMSA driver Won Daytona 24 1981,1987, Won Sebring 12 1982, 1983, 1986. WINNER of 19 IMSA GT races. Competed in 24 HR of Le Mans in 1989 for TWR Silk Cut Jaguar team

Baseball

Basketball

Bullfighting
  • Bette Ford, first American bullfighter to fight in the Plaza Mexico

Football

Politicians and governmental leaders

Military heroes

Business and industry

McKeesport appears briefly in the Marvel comic Dark Reign: Zodiac#1.

The 2009 novel Monongahela Dusk, by John Hoerr, is set in 1940s McKeesport.

The Netflix series Mindhunter used downtown McKeesport as 1977 Sacramento, California.[33]

In Season 4 of the Classic Cartoon Rocky & Bullwinkle McKeesport is featured in two episodes "Goof Gas Attack" & "McKeesport on the Prod or The Pennsylvania Poker"

See also

Notes and references
  1. "2017 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  3. "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), McKeesport city, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  4. "David McKee 1710-1795". hmdb.org. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  5. "The Founding of McKeesport". familytreetracer.com. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  6. "History". mckeesport.org. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved May 12, 2007.
  7. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_611870.html%5B%5D
  8. "Forty years later, McKeesport's 'famous' fire remembered". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  9. "Local History @ tubecityonline.com". www.tubecityonline.com. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  10. "McKeesport on the move", Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, PA, September 27, 1984
  11. "Brownfield sites get $8M for redevelopment", Business Times, Pittsburgh, PA, October 13, 2005, archived from the original on November 11, 2013
  12. "Year of Fear, Chapter Three: Red Streets v. Blue Streets in McKeesport". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  13. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  14. "McKeesport, Pennsylvania Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  15. "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved on October 24, 2013.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 20, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  21. "McKeesport's International Village". Archived from the original on July 14, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  22. "McKeesport Early Intervention Plan Step IV" (PDF).
  23. "Mayor's Select Committee on Crime & Violence | McKeesport, PA". www.mckeesport-pa.gov. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  24. "McKeesport Message Committee | McKeesport, PA". www.mckeesport-pa.gov. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  25. EL. "2012 Allegheny County election". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  26. EL. "2016 Pennsylvani general election..." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  27. "Pennsylvania". FBI. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  28. "Pennsylvania Highways: PA 101 - PA 150". www.pahighways.com. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  29. "Union Railroad Company-Corporate Family Merger Exemption-McKeesport Connecting Railroad Company". Federal Register. November 2, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  30. "Steel Heritage @ tubecityonline.com". www.tubecityonline.com. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  31. "Amtrak - McKeesport, PA (MCE)". www.trainweb.org. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  32. Obituaries, The New York Times, January 10, 2010
  33. "TV Series Filming in City; Will Close Lysle Blvd. - Tube City Almanac". almanac.tubecityonline.com. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
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