McKees
Rocks
in the early 20th Century
from
a 1901 map, in the public
domain
Crossing the Ohio river at or near Bellevue on the
west
bank of Chartiers Creek, which divides it from Pittsburgh,
is the
large borough of McKees Rocks. It derives its name from Alexander
McKee, to whom thirteen hundred acres in its vicinity were given in
1764. The borough joins the North Side about five miles from the
business district of Pittsburgh. It was known in 1889 as a railroad
station under the name of Chartiers, and its growth and importance as a
manufacturing center was the result of the opening of the Pittsburgh
& Lake Erie railroad. A post office was established in 1870,
discontinued in August 1881, and reestablished the following year. The
population in 1880 was 867 which has increased to nearly 20,000.
The most important manufacturing interest is the
Pittsburgh Steel Works whose plant covers seven acres of ground; it was
established in 1882 its product being fine crucible steel. Another
important industry was the Iron City Bridge Company which was
established in Cincinnati Ohio in 1854, two years later removed to
Pittsburgh, and in 1881 to McKees Rocks. This establishment was active
in building bridges in all parts of the United States, Mexico, Cuba,
and South America. The Vulcan Forge and Iron Works came to McKees Rocks
in 1882. Their specialty was the manufacture of car wheels axles and
bridge iron. The repair and machine shops and freight yards of the Pittsburgh &
Lake Erie railroad were located
in McKees Rocks in 1889. Besides
these industries the manufacture of enameled ware lumber, wall plaster,
locomotive and car springs nuts and bolts, malleable castings, chain,
and forgings freight and passenger cars, tinware, concrete, cigars, etc
play an important part in the commercial and mercantile life of the
borough. McKees Rocks is universally known for its iron and steel
industries, but both coal and lumber are produced in large quantities;
natural gas is used as fuel.
The First National Bank of McKees Rocks the McKees Rocks
Trust
Company and the Chartiers Trust Company are the financial institutions.
The Ohio Valley General Hospital a notable institution is located
within its boundaries. The religious life of McKees Rocks at the
present day is attended to by eleven church denominations. The largest
and the most important of these are the St Mary's German Catholic
Church, organized by the efforts of the Passionist Fathers of
Pittsburgh in 1855 when the cornerstone of the first church was laid.
The first Presbyterian service was held in 1875 a congregation with
twenty four members was organized in 1883, and the following year a
church building was dedicated. St John's German Lutheran Church was
organized in 1885, incorporated the following year the cornerstone of a
church edifice being laid September 25 1887. Mount Calvary Lutheran
Church is one of the oldest religious organizations dating back to 1853
The church is beautifully located on a hill overlooking the valley of
Chartiers Creek about a mile from its mouth and has in connection a
fine cemetery of several acres of ground.
from
a 1922 book, in the public
domain