Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania

Sharpsburg
Borough
The Borough of Sharpsburg
The borough of Sharpsburg (Route 28 is pictured in the foreground; the Allegheny River is in the background)
Location in Allegheny County and the state of Pennsylvania
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Allegheny
Government
• Type	Weak Mayor/Strong Council
• Mayor	Richard C. Panza
Area
• Total	0.6 sq mi (2 km2)
• Land	0.5 sq mi (1 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Population (2010)
• Total	3,446
• Density	5,700/sq mi (2,200/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	15215
Area code(s)	412
Website	Borough of Sharpsburg

Sharpsburg is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 5 miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. In the past, it had a rolling mill, foundries, machine shops, and manufacturers of varnish, brick, glass, lumber products, wire, hair, felt, and lubricating oil. In 1900, 6,842 people lived here; by 1940, 8,202 people lived in Sharpsburg. The population was 3,446 at the 2010 census.

The H. J. Heinz Company originated in Sharpsburg.

Geography

Sharpsburg is located at (40.495368, -79.928991).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), of which 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²), or 26.15%, is water.

Surrounding and adjacent neighborhoods

Sharpsburg is bordered by Etna to the west, Shaler Township and O'Hara Township to the north, and Aspinwall to the east. To the south, across the Allegheny River via the 62nd Street Bridge, are the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Upper Lawrenceville and Morningside.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	1,229		—
1860	1,436		16.8%
1870	2,176		51.5%
1880	3,466		59.3%
1890	4,898		41.3%
1900	6,842		39.7%
1910	8,153		19.2%
1920	8,921		9.4%
1930	8,642		−3.1%
1940	8,202		−5.1%
1950	7,296		−11.0%
1960	6,096		−16.4%
1970	5,453		−10.5%
1980	4,351		−20.2%
1990	3,781		−13.1%
2000	3,594		−4.9%
2010	3,446		−4.1%
Est. 2014	3,417		−0.8%
Sources:

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,594 people, 1,748 households, and 893 families residing in the borough. The population density was 7,393.8 people per square mile (2,831.9/km²). There were 1,911 housing units at an average density of 3,931.4 per square mile (1,505.8/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.74% White, 3.81% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.11% of the population.

There were 1,748 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.5% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.9% were non-families. 42.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $22,828, and the median income for a family was $30,500. Males had a median income of $27,396 versus $22,238 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $15,698. About 14.0% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Sharpsburg is served by the Fox Chapel Area School District. In 2012-2013, the Fox Chapel Area High School was ranked 23rd out of 592 public high schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in relation to math and reading Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) scores.

History

Guyasuta and the Seneca Indians

The borough of Sharpsburg is located along the Allegheny River just over 5 miles (8 km) outside of downtown Pittsburgh. Sharpsburg has a rich history dating back to the 18th century when the Seneca Indians settled into the area. One Seneca in particular, Guyasuta, has a special connection to the community.

Guyasuta was a strong warrior and skilled hunter. He was chosen by George Washington to be a hunter guide with his party in 1753. When the two met again in Ohio 17 years later, General Washington greeted him with warmth and affection. In 1758, Guyasuta was involved in a bitter battle at Grant's Hill, where the Allegheny County Courthouse stands today. In the early 1760s, Guyasuta sought peace with the British Army. Guyasuta's peace efforts culminated in a peace treaty, in which the government received a tract of land in what is now western Pennsylvania. James O'Hara, who had purchased a portion of the river land, donated a small portion of it, where Sharpsburg is today, to Guyasuta.

James Sharp and the initial settlement

In 1826, a man named James Sharp rode into this area and purchased 200 acres (0.81 km²) of land, building a log cabin for his wife. Opening the land to settlers, Sharp built a school and church while continuing to donate his land for the growing needs of the community. On December 14, 1841, the borough applied for incorporation, and received its charter March 14, 1842. According to the Sharpsburg town web site, http://www.city-data.com/city/Sharpsburg-Pennsylvania.html, incorporation was March 26, 1842.

Industry

Since its incorporation, Sharpsburg became an industrial town, manufacturing iron, brick and glass while goods were transported through the canal that bisected the borough, along with the Allegheny River. When railroads became the preferred mode of transportation for that time, Sharpsburg continued to thrive as thousands came for the plethora of job opportunities available.

H. J. Heinz Company

One of the most well-known industries that had its beginnings in Sharpsburg was the H. J. Heinz Company. The Heinz glass works in Sharpsburg once manufactured all of the glassware for Heinz products. In 1869, Heinz began creating and bottling his first horseradish in the kitchen of his Sharpsburg residence. This house is the place where it all began. Shortly thereafter, the house became Heinz’s first factory. Although he moved his company down the Allegheny along the North Shore of Pittsburgh, he was very gracious to the people of Sharpsburg until his death, donating gifts to the community that was his family home for many years. One of these included the life-sized statue of Guyasuta that was installed at the intersection of Main and North Canal streets. The statue has twice been hit by automobiles—the first occurrence in 1930 and the second occurrence in 1988. Each incident resulted in the destruction and subsequent replacement of the statue.

A town divided

Less than a century ago, Sharpsburg was divided into two sections because of a railroad track that went through the location where Kennedy Park currently sits. There were two fire departments, one on each side of the tracks. There were two schools on each side of the track as well, one "up street" and one "down street". Once the railroad tracks weren’t used anymore, the railcars sat vacant on the tracks. The Junior Chamber of Commerce in Sharpsburg went to the railroad company as well as the Heinz family to try to change something about this. The Heinz family said they would help build a park if it was used for recreation purposes only. The park was built around the time when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and that is why the area was named Kennedy Park.

Today, Sharpsburg continues to boast pride of its industrial past while looking forward to the opportunities of economic growth within the business district, and its residents enjoy being a part of this unique riverfront community.

Government

Office of the Mayor

The executive of Sharpsburg is the Burgess. The Burgess is elected to four-year terms and controls all aspects of public safety in the Borough. In the event of a tie on Council, the Burgess reserves a voting privilege.

Council

The legislative arm of Sharpsburg Borough is Borough Council. Council is composed of seven elected officials, each to a four-year term. Elections to Council are divided into classes, with four councilmen elected in one class, and three elected two years subsequent.

District Magistrate

Sharpsburg is also home to the local District Magistrate. The District Magistrate has jurisdiction over Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, Indiana, O'Hara, and Sharpsburg. The District Magistrate is an elected position, for a term of six years.

Commonwealth

Sharpsburg in represented in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by State Rep. Dom Costa, 21st District. The Borough is represented in the Pennsylvania State Senate by State Senator Jim Ferlo, 38th District.

Federal

Sharpsburg is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Doyle, Pennsylvania's 14th District. Sharpsburg is represented in the United States Senate by Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and Senator Pat Toomey.

Public Safety

Police

The Sharpsburg Borough Police Department (3500 units) formed in 1883 and the Department continues to serve proudly to this day. The composition of the Department includes the Chief of Police, five full-time patrolmen, as well as numerous part-time officers. Three vehicles, all Ford Explorers, are used in day-to-day operations by the Department. Police headquarters is located in the Municipal Building at 1611 Main Street, in the Borough.

Fire

The Sharpsburg Borough Volunteer Fire Department (Station 265) has continuously served the Borough since it was first organized on August 29, 1871, with the creation of the Hook and Ladder Company by W.C. Meyer. In 1886, Sharpsburg Borough Council established the position of Fire Chief, appointing W.C. Meyer to the position.

In 1928, the Fire Department reorganized into two companies—Fire Company No. 1 and Fire Company No. 2. The need for two fire companies in a borough of Sharpsburg's size was necessitated by the Pennsylvania Railroad, which split the town in two. In the event of a fire during which a train was passing through town, one company could always respond without delay.

The current Fire Department is located at 1611 Main Street, adjacent to the Municipal Building. The ranks are made up of approximately fifteen firemen and women, plus the Fire Chief. The Department's vehicles include a pumper, an aerial, a squad truck, a squad car, and a pontoon boat for river rescues.

EMS

The Borough's EMS services are provided by Seneca EMS. Seneca also serves the Borough of Etna and Indiana Township. Seneca is headquartered at 19th Street and Main Street in the Sharpsburg.

Religion

Located within Sharpsburg are numerous churches and other religious gathering places. Most notably, though, in the borough, is the Catholic community. Three churches, St. Mary Church, Madonna of Jerusalem Church, and St. John Cantius Church, form the Saint Juan Diego Parish. Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh created the parish in 2009, at the behest of the parishioners, who called for the three churches to form one parish. Saint Juan Diego, a Native American from Mexico, was chosen as the name of the parish because of Sharpsburg's ties with Native Americans, specifically Guyasuta and the Senecas.

In addition, Grace Methodist Church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, First English Lutheran Church, First Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Sharpsburg Family Worship Center call Sharpsburg home. The basement of the Mt. Olive church was the artistic inspiration to urban lyricist Mark D. Lombardi during his 1991 recording sessions of his gold album Locked Half Cocked and Loaded.

Libraries

In late 2008, the Sharpsburg branch of the Lauri Ann West Memorial Library opened at its new location. The re-opening was organized by borough residents, the Sharpsburg council, and donations from various philanthropies.

Recreation

Parks

The borough is home to three parks: Heinz Memorial Field, Kennedy Park and a park located at 16th Street and Main. Heinz Memorial Field is home to a hockey rink, two basketball courts and a baseball field. In addition, numerous play sets are located at Heinz Memorial Field for children.

Kennedy Park is located in the center of the borough. It is a large swath of land that is dedicated to the Guyasuta Days Festival, held annually in August. Kennedy Park is outfitted with outdoor facilities, including a kitchen area and seating. Also located at Kennedy Park is one large BasketBall court

The park at 16th and Main is opened in the spring and summer months. There is a water fountain within the park that is used by children in the hot summer months to find an escape. In addition, the park is home to numerous swings, carousels, teeter totter, basketball court, picnic area and other play sets.

James Sharp Landing

Sharpsburg is also home to a free-of-charge boat launch. Located at 13th and Main Streets, the James Sharp Landing serves as a spring, summer, and fall escape for all. Built in recent years through the efforts of Borough Council as well as state and federal support, the Landing attracts to Sharpsburg a wide variety of individuals and groups looking to enjoy the outdoors. The Landing is home to a boat launch, a thirty-foot fishing pier, a pavilion, a gazebo, and a kayak launch.

Notable Inhabitants

Sharpsburg is the birthplace of or the home to several notable people, including:

Guyasuta, Chief of the Seneca Indians.

James Sharp, early settler and namesake of the Borough.

Henry J. Heinz, founder of the H.J. Heinz Company.

Jacob Covode, banker and financier of the H.J. Heinz Company.

Hon. Frederick H. Collier, U.S. Army Colonel and President Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Hon. John D. Shafer, Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and President Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Lawrence Saint, stained glass artist.

Robert D. Fleming, Pennsylvania State Senator.

Paul Mazzei, mobster and mastermind behind the 1978–79 Boston College basketball point shaving scandal.

Jim Miller, American football player

External links

• Borough of Sharpsburg (official site)
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