Statistical Abstract of McKeesport: 1960
Published by Greater McKeesport Chamber of Commerce

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LOCATION
McKeesport is situated at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, 14 miles southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. It is located in Allegheny County, the greatest industrial county in the world. McKeesport has vigorously maintained its independence, both economically and politically.

HISTORY
McKeesport was founded in 1795 by John McKee. It was established as a borough in 1842 and incorporated as a third-class city in 1891. Mr. McKee's father, David, was the first white settler in this area, arriving in 1768 and taking over land formerly occupied by the Iroquois Indians.

INDUSTRY
Coal and river transportation established McKeesport as an industrial city. Starting with an iron works, McKeesport has become the center of a great steel producing area containing many mills of U.S. Steel. It is now attracting steel fabricators of which Kelsey Hayes, Fisher Body, Artcraft and Copperweld are notable examples. The McKeesport area has great concentrations of manpower, transportation facilities and raw material. Supplies of natural gas, power and water are plentiful.

COMMERCIAL CENTER
McKeesport ranks second in commercial importance to Pittsburgh in Allegheny County. It is a complete buying center. Although limited in number, its wholesale houses are outstanding. It excels as a banking center. It has excellent advertising media, transportation facilities and communications facilties.

URBAN RENEWAL
Great progress has been made on urban renewal in the downtown area within the past five years. This includes the construction of several new multi-story buildings and the complete remodeling of many other commercial structures.

The McKeesport Parking Authority has done an outstanding job with off-street parking and now operates six parking lots, and a 4-1/2 floor, 420-car parking garage.

The National Tube Division of U.S. Steel plans to purchase the entire First Ward. It is the intent to raze all existing structures and to use the property for industrial purposes.

The McKeesport Housing Authority operates 704 dwelling units and plans to erect four additional buildings with 300 units.

The McKeesport Traffic Authority, organized under a state enabling act, is developing a program to eliminate many of the grade crossings in McKeesport.

STATISTICAL REVIEW
Distances -- Pittsburgh 14 miles, Atlanta 725, Boston 573, Cleveland 143, Columbus 198, Harrisburg 188, New York City 355, Philadelphia 280, St. Louis 613, Toledo 244, Washington D.C. 219.

Form of Government -- Mayor-Council

Population -- 51,502 (1950 Census)

Area -- 4.5 square miles

Altitude -- 752 feet above sea level

Climate -- Usual temperatures: Low 23 degrees, high 84 degrees. Annual rainfall 36 inches. Annual snowfall 27 inches. Average relative humidity 68 degrees.

Topography -- Hills and valleys traverse the McKeesport area, resulting in some of the most attractive scenery in the United States.

Assessed Valuation -- $74,471,360

Tax Rate on Real Estate -- The total tax rate is 17.5 mills.

Telephones -- The Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania serves 32,706 customers through its McKeesport exchange.

Gas Meters -- The Equitable Gas Company serves 22,000 customers through its McKeesport branch.

Electric Meters -- The Duquesne Light Company serves 15,234 customers through its McKeesport branch.

Water Supply -- The McKeesport City Filtration Plant has a capacity of 10,000,000 gallons and serves 10,000 customers. For all practical purposes, the supply of water in McKeesport is unlimited.

Airport -- The McKeesport Airport, also known as The Allegheny County Municipal Airport, covers 543 acres. The longest runway is 5,580 feet. It is now used primarily for freight and executive aircraft.

Transportation -- McKeesport is located on the main lines of the Baltimore and Ohio and Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroads. The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie and the Pennsylvania railroads operate freight service only. Frequent urban and interurban transportation is offered by the Baltimore and Ohio; by Pittsburgh Railways (traction) and by Penn Transit, Ridge Lines, Noble J. Dick Bus Lines, Duquesne Motor Coach Co., McKeesport Transit and Doernte Bus Lines.

Highways -- State highways 148 and 48 traverse the city. Four miles to U.S. 30. Thirteen miles to Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Industries -- Industries in the McKeesport area employing more than 500 persons include: Copperweld Steel Corp., Wire and Cable Division; Firth Sterling, Carbide Division; General Motors Corp., Fisher Body Division, Pittsburgh Plant; Kelsey-Hayes Co., McKeesport Plant; Fort Pitt Steel Castings Division, Pittsburgh Steel Foundry Corp.; United States Steel, Duquesne Works, Irvin Works; United States Steel, National Tube Division, National Works and Christy Park Works; Westinghouse Electric Corp., Bettis Atomic Plant.

Trade Area -- Retail trade area has a radius of 10 miles and a population of 215,000. Retail sales were in excess of $93 million in 1958.

G.C. Murphy Co. operates 325 variety stores. Wholesale trade area has a radius of 50 miles and a population of 1,000,000. Home of Potter-McCune wholesale grocers, distributors of Pomco brands.

Postal Receipts -- $652,488

Banks -- Western Pennsylvania National Bank, Peoples Union Bank, National Bank of McKeesport have total deposits of $280,000,000. McKeesport Savings and Loan Association and The First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Homestead specialize in real-estate loans.

Radio Broadcasting -- WMCK 5,000 watts, day and night; WEDO, 1,000 watts daytime.

Hotels -- There are three hotels with a total of 246 rooms. There are many hotels and motels throughout the area.

Amusements -- Three motion picture theaters with seating capacity of 4,028 persons; Three golf courses near city; largest auditorium in city seats 2,600 persons; 3 swimming pools; 2 commercial amusement parks nearby. Numerous nightclubs, 30-minute drive to Forbes Field, Pitt Stadium and Carnegie Music Hall.

Building and Construction -- 893 permits issued in 1959 with a valuation of $6,768,529.

Homes -- Over 17,000 dwelling units with 48 percent owner occupied.

Schools -- There are 17 public schools with 9,070 students and 303 teachers. There are 8 parochial schools with 2,634 teachers and 63 teachers. Pennsylvania State University operates a branch in McKeesport with a newly constructed building. It offers two-year accredited associate degree courses in Drafting and Design, Electrical and Production Technology. There is one business college.

Library -- Carnegie Free Library has 47,094 books.

Hospitals -- McKeesport Hospital has 525 beds. Now under construction is a $4,000,000 addition that will replace all obsolete portions and increase the total number of beds to 625.

Parks -- 5 parks and 10 playgrounds with total of 221 acres, valued at $350,000. Renziehausen Park has 173 acres. Municipal operated. Swimming pool donated by R.E. Stone. Helen Ritchey Memorial Baseball Diamond built by public subscription. Activities supervised by McKeesport Recreation Board. Arboretum.

Youth Centers -- Boys' Town. McKeesport Boys' Club Camp Frank T. Soles, operated by McKeesport YMCA.

Youghiogheny Country Club -- Beautiful 18-hole golf course and club house overlooking the city.

Public Safety -- Fire Department has 3 stations and 78 employees. The Police Department has 108 employees..