Avalon, Pennsylvania
I grew up in a town called Avalon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My sister still lives there in a house that was built in 1843. My grandfather Walter W. Shook bought it for his family in the early part of the 20th century, about 1909. On December 9, 1874, a group of 29 property owners met and decided they wanted to separate from Kilbuck Township. I wonder if the builder of my family house was one of the members that voted to create Avalon. I’m still trying to track down his name.
For some reason, I thought Avalon had a population of about 10,000 when I was growing up in the 1960s. I graduated in 1972, and when I was growing up, they said in school that the class of ’72 was the largest ever. The population in 1970 was 7,010. So that’s about right.
The current population is about 4,762.
Coordinates: 
40°30′4″N 80°4′7″W
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Avalon, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| borough | |
| Greenstone United Methodist Church located at 939 California Avenue | |
| Etymology: Mythical island in legend of King Arthur | |
| Location in Allegheny County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania | |
| Location of Pennsylvania in the United States | |
 AvalonLocation in PennsylvaniaShow map of PennsylvaniaShow map of the United StatesShow map of North AmericaShow all | |
| Coordinates: 40°30′4″N 80°4′7″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Allegheny |
| Settled | c. 1800 |
| Incorporated | April 7, 1875 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Brigitte Jackson |
| • Council President | Joshua Klicker (R) |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 0.69 sq mi (1.79 km2) |
| • Land | 0.62 sq mi (1.60 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 932 ft (284 m) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
| • Total | 4,762 |
| • Density | 7,717.99/sq mi (2,981.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 15202 |
| Area code | 412 |
| FIPS code | 42-03608 |
| School District | Northgate |
| Website | http://www.boroughofavalon.org/ |
Avalon is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Ohio River, 6 miles (10 km) downstream from Pittsburgh. The population was 4,762 at the 2020 census.[3] It is a residential suburb of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
History[edit]
On December 9, 1874, a group of 29 property owners met and decided they wanted to separate from Kilbuck Township, which itself split from Pine Township in 1869. They petitioned the Court of Quarter Sessions of Pennsylvania for incorporation papers. The petition was drawn up by Noah Shafer, who eventually became West Bellevue’s first solicitor. The group was notified that it first had to hold an election so officials of the petitioning body could make the request for incorporation.
The first election was held December 26, 1874. James Semple was elected the first burgess, a position he held three different times. When the petition was submitted the second time, the court was in recess. The court met again in April, and on April 7, 1875, approved the petition and West Bellevue’s right to incorporation.[4] It was named after the legendary island of Avalon (“land of apples”) on account of there being several orchards in the area.[5] The streetcar reached Avalon around 1900, and in later years the borough was served by Pittsburgh Railways route 14 Avalon and then route 6/14 Brighton Avalon. The service ended on April 30, 1966,[6] when many of the West End lines were abandoned by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, in preparation for bridge replacements over the Allegheny River.
Geography[edit]
Avalon is located at 40°30′4″N 80°4′7″W.[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2), of which 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) is water. Its average elevation is 932 feet (284 m) above sea level.[8]
Surrounding and adjacent communities[edit]
Avalon has four land borders, including Ben Avon Heights to the north, Kilbuck Township to the north, northeast and northwestern corner, Bellevue to the east, and Ben Avon to the west. Across the Ohio River to the south, Avalon runs adjacent with the eastern end of Neville Island (Neville Township) as well as the Davis Island Lock and Dam Site in which its location is designated as in Avalon.
Government and politics[edit]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 34% 945 | 64% 1,761 | 1% 38 |
| 2016 | 36% 868 | 59% 1,425 | 5% 133 |
| 2012 | 40% 911 | 59% 1,352 | 1% 33 |
Demographics[edit]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 326 | — | |
| 1890 | 804 | 146.6% | |
| 1900 | 2,130 | 164.9% | |
| 1910 | 4,317 | 102.7% | |
| 1920 | 5,277 | 22.2% | |
| 1930 | 5,940 | 12.6% | |
| 1940 | 6,155 | 3.6% | |
| 1950 | 6,463 | 5.0% | |
| 1960 | 6,859 | 6.1% | |
| 1970 | 7,010 | 2.2% | |
| 1980 | 6,240 | −11.0% | |
| 1990 | 5,784 | −7.3% | |
| 2000 | 5,294 | −8.5% | |
| 2010 | 4,705 | −11.1% | |
| 2020 | 4,762 | 1.2% | |
| Sources:[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][2] | |||
As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 5,294 people, 2,629 households, and 1,282 families residing in the borough. The population density was 8,409.1 people per square mile (3,244.5/km2). There were 2,845 housing units at an average density of 4,519.1 per square mile (1,743.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 83% White, 5% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.
There were 2,629 households, out of which 19.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.2% were non-families. 45.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 18.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $29,236, and the median income for a family was $41,327. Males had a median income of $31,568 versus $24,149 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $18,594. About 8.4% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
804 people lived in Avalon in 1890, 2,130 people lived in Avalon in 1900; 4,317 people lived in Avalon in 1910, and 6,155 people lived in Avalon in 1940.
Education
The borough is located in the Northgate School District.
The Captain’s Quarters
Captain’s Quarters – 735 Ohio River BlvdCirca 1865
No one knows exactly when the house was built or for whom. It is believed to have belonged to a riverboat captain and is known locally as “Captain’s Quarters.” Adding to that supposition is its “crow’s nest” room on the third level overlooking the Ohio River. The house was cut up into six apartments in the 1950s or ’60s and had slipped into a sorry state of disrepair when Kathy and Philip Welling of Franklin Park purchased it for just over $100,000 in 2007.
The siding and roof tiles needed to be replaced, and at least half of the home’s ornate wooden corbels were lying on the ground or sitting forgotten in the basement. After six months and $25,000 in repairs by Nick Tomich of Savangelo Construction of Carnegie, the house is on its way to becoming one of the neighborhood’s prettiest residences. Some of the home’s features include 12-14 foot ceilings on all three floors, plaster ceiling medallions, and decorative marble fireplaces. The building continues to house multiple family rental spaces.
Janet: This house was less than one block away from me. I used to fly in my astral body at night and try to get into this house. This place haunted me and my soul could not leave it alone. Now I live in Maui, half a planet away.
Notable people[edit]
- Robert J. Corbett, U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania[19]
- Jim Haslett, NFL Football Player and Coach
- Mercury Morris, Super Bowl winning running back and kick returner.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ “ArcGIS REST Services Directory”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “Census Population API”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ “Explore Census Data”.
- ^ “Happy Birthday West Bellevue!”. North Hills News Record. April 12, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
- ^ “What’s in a name? For some, a bit of history”. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 10, 1984. p. 2. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ^ “Pittsburgh Railways Online – A Trolley Car Tragedy”. February 18, 2002. Retrieved August 14, 2009.
- ^ “US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990”. United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ “US Board on Geographic Names”. United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ EL. “2012 Allegheny County election”. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
- ^ EL. “2016 Pennsylvania general election…” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
- ^ “Election Night Reporting”.
- ^ “Population of Civil Divisions Less than Counties” (PDF). 1880 United States Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ “Population-Pennsylvania” (PDF). U.S. Census 1910. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ “Number and Distribution of Inhabitants:Pennsylvania-Tennessee” (PDF). Fifteenth Census. U.S. Census Bureau.
- ^ “Number of Inhabitants: Pennsylvania” (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ “Pennsylvania: Population and Housing Unit Counts” (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “U.S. Census website”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ “Annual Estimates of the Resident Population”. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ “CORBETT, Robert James, (1905 – 1971)”. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
External links[edit]
- Borough of Avalon official site
- Historic Pittsburgh Map Collections: 1906 – Northern Vicinity of Pittsburgh: Plate 3
| hideAuthority control | |
|---|---|
| International | VIAFWorldCat |
| National | IsraelUnited States |
- Pennsylvania populated places on the Ohio River
- Populated places established in 1800
- Pittsburgh metropolitan area
- Boroughs in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
- 1875 establishments in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Suburbs: History of Avalon Borough
by pittsburghbeautiful | Avalon Borough, Neighborhoods, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh History | 1 comment
A Brief History of Avalon Borough
Avalon is a borough in Allegheny County located along the Ohio River. It’s a mostly residential borough and the population was right around 5,000 as of the 2010 census. The history of Avalon begins in December 1874, when approximately 30 property owners decided to separate from Kilbuck Township. Kilbuck itself had actually separated from Pine just a few years earlier. A petition was presented by Noah Shafer, who ended up becoming West Bellevue’s first solicitor.
The first election for incorporation of Avalon was held the day after Christmas, 1874. James Semple was elected first burgess and in April 1875, Avalon was named. It gets its name from “land of apples” due to the abundant amount of apple orchards in the borough. A streetcar eventually found its way to Avalon by the year 1900 and later trains came through too. Service ended by spring 1966 when the Pittsburgh Port Authority bus system began to grow.
Facts about Avalon Borough
Avalon is bordered by four borders: Ben Avon Heights, Kilbuck, Ben Avon and Bellevue. The borough is relatively small, with an area measuring just under a mile. There were just over 2,000 households in Avalon as of the 2010 census. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.83. The population of Avalon grew steadily from its beginnings and has since leveled out. In 1890, there were 804 people living there and a decade later, 2,130. By 1910, 4,317 called Avalon home; by 1940, 6,155 was the total population.
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