Pittsburgh Suburbs: History of West Mifflin

A Brief History of West Mifflin

West Mifflin is a borough in Allegheny County southeast of the city of Pittsburgh. The area was named after the first elected governor of Pennsylvania, Thomas Mifflin. He was governor from 1744 through 1800. The area came with the purchase of 1784 from Virginia. Mifflin Township’s original boundaries started at the mouth of Streets Run at Six Mile Ferry up the Mon River to the Washington County line. Streets Run was at Hays at the time. Also at around the community’s beginnings, Mifflin included Hays, West Homestead, Munhall, Duquesne, Lincoln Place, Dravosburg, Pleasant Hills, Jefferson Hills and a town named Mifflin as well, the prefix West was added to become what it is today, West Mifflin.

The borough is home to one of Pittsburgh’s iconic places, Kennywood Park. Kennywood is one of the country’s oldest amusement parks. Other businesses in the neighborhood include Bettis Atomic Power Lab, Bombardier (a monorail manufacturer), CCAC South Campus and Allegheny County Airport. As of the 2010 census, there were 20,313 people living in West Mifflin.

5 thoughts on “Pittsburgh Suburbs: History of West Mifflin”

  1. Judi Kotler broad

    I remember every spring, before school ended, the kennywood picnic.
    A memory I hope to never forget!

  2. Michelle Balser

    We went to Kennywood with grandparents, aunts,uncles,& cousins..This was 50 years ago but we’ll never forget the memories!!??

  3. Never thought you would show West Mifflin! MY home, and so many great memories. Kennywood was the best place to work in senior year of high school.

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