A Brief History of Swissvale





history of Swissvale



Swissvale is a borough in Allegheny County located just 9 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. The community was named after James Swisshelm, who served under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. He also is said to have camped at Valley Forge. The company was a supplier of railway signaling equipment. Since 1874, the Allegheny Car and Transportation Shops gave jobs to Swissvale citizens. The shops were later bought out by Westinghouse, who formed The Union Switch and Signal Company of George Westinghouse. Vladimir K. Zworykin, one of those who invented television, worked for Westinghouse and lived in Swissvale with his wife and daughter.



Facts about Swissvale




History of Swissvale

Swissvale is bordered by Edgewood, Braddock Hills, North Braddock, the city of Pittsburgh itself, as well as Rankin, Regent Square and Swisshelm Park. Directly across the Monongahela River is the neighborhood of Munhall (also a borough). Notable people from Swissvale include Billy Gardell, of Mike and Molly fame, David Conrad and Frank Conrad—creator of KDKA Radio, screenwriter Agnes Christine Johnston and Dick Groat, Pirates player. As of the 2000 Census, there were 9,653 people living in Swissvale. The borough reaches a total of 1.3 square miles. The most popular age group living in Swissvale are those ages 25-44, with 31.7 percent of the population.



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