Pittsburgh Suburbs: Wilkins Township

wilkins township

A Brief History of Wilkins Township





Wilkins Township




The township was named for William Wilkins, a Pennsylvania politician who served in Congress and was a U.S. Secretary of War. The township was created from a eastern portion of Pitt Township back in 1821. At one time, Wilkins was a rural land of hills and farms in Pitt Township. When it was first created, the township had an area of 34.5 miles and a population of around 2,000. An early road in Wilkins called the South Fork helped bring people into the area. South Fork later became the Greensburg Turnpike. One of the earliest settlers was Christopher Linhart, who settled between Thompson and Chalfant runs. A log cabin built by the Linhart family still stands today. There also was another family, the Perchmonts, who operated a stagecoach stop, ticket office, inn and supply store along Greensburg Pike.



Facts about Wilkins Township

Wilkins Township




Wilkins Township is a township located in Allegheny County with a population of a little over 6,000. Its land originally spanned from between the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. Wilkins Township has unique geography, including Thompson Run, a tributary of Turtle Creek. The whole township lies within the Turtle Creek Watershed. Transportation-wise, I-376 passes through the northern part of Wilkins Twp. The Union Railroad, which follows the Thompson Run Valley, passes through the eastern part of Wilkins. Surrounding neighborhoods include Penn Hills, Monroeville, Turtle Creek, North Braddock, Forest Hills and more. Wilkins is served by the Woodland Hills School District.




On Niche.com, Wilkins Township got a solid B+ rating all around for things like nightlife, diversity and being good for families. The area has a suburban feel and the median home value is $101,500. The majority of residents own homes.



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