Leechburg

History

Leechburg's origins trace back to the late 18th century, with early names such as "Friendship" and "White Plains." Nearby hamlets like "Old Town" and "Jacksonville" were among the earliest developed areas. Originally part of Allegheny Township, Armstrong County, civil engineer David Leech arrived in 1827 to construct a dam and lock for the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal along the Kiskiminetas River. Leech purchased land and developed a village, constructing mills, homes, and a boatyard that produced freight and passenger boats. The first canal boats passed through Leechburg in 1829. A ferry operated before the first bridge was constructed in 1846. Leech personally funded the town’s first school in 1829 and paid the teacher. Leechburg was incorporated on March 22, 1850, with Leech as its first burgess (Mayor). Leechburg quickly became a vital canal port west of the Allegheny Mountains, facilitating commerce between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In 1872, the Leechburg Rolling Mill opened, producing tin plate—the first in the United States to do so. In 1874, it became the first steel plant in the world to use natural gas as a fuel source. The borough also hosted the Leechburg Foundry and Machine Company, which employed hundreds and produced machinery for regional use. George Mesta, one of its founders, went on to establish Mesta Machine Company in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Shovel Works, opened in 1898, employed about 100 workers and became known for shovels used during the construction of the Panama Canal. The town also featured a roller-process flour mill, a planing mill, and a branch of the C.L. Flaccus Glass Company. Hicks Coal Company and others mined local coal to fuel these enterprises. In the 20th century, Allegheny Ludlum and later ATI operated plants in nearby…

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Apollo-Ridge Elem Sch
  Elementary · Spring Church · 513 students · 12.8:1 ratio
• David Leech El Sch
  Elementary · Leechburg · 300 students · 13.6:1 ratio
• Apollo-Ridge HS
  High · Spring Church · 286 students · 11.4:1 ratio
• Apollo-Ridge MS
  Middle · Spring Church · 274 students · 15.2:1 ratio
• South Buffalo El Sch
  Elementary · Freeport · 223 students · 11.7:1 ratio
• Leechburg Area HS
  High · Leechburg · 186 students · 10.9:1 ratio
• Leechburg Area MS
  Middle · Leechburg · 152 students · 12.7:1 ratio