Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

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History of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, Part II  by Thomas Cushing Chicago, Ill.:  A. Warner & Co., 1889, pp. 53-54. 

Chapter V

Knoxville Borough

 

 

This was incorporated September 7, 1877, from that part of Lower St. Clair adjoining Beltzhoover and Allentown. Jeremiah Knox became a resident here in the early part of this century, and established the Knox fruit-farm, one of the most widely and favorably known of its class for many years. The strawberry known as "No. 700" was originated here. From its location on the second range of hills inland from the river, this vicinity enjoys an immunity from the smoke and fogs which frequently prove so disagreeable to residents of Mount Washington, Mount Oliver and other suburbs. Mr. Knox disposed of a number of building-lots in the eastern part of the town as early as 1872, and in 1880 the borough had a population of 393. Its development from that time has been energetically fostered by the Knoxville Land Improvement company, incorporated in 1880 by F. Bausman, W. W. Knox, A. K. Mathews and W. W. Knox, Jr. This corporation operates the Knoxville brickworks, stone-quarries, coal-mines and lumber-yards, employing 200 men. All the brick houses in the borough have been built since 1880, and the general appearance of the town is far superior to that of the surrounding built-up territory. The principal streets have been improved, and the Pittsburgh, Knoxville & St. Clair Electric railroad renders it conveniently accessible from the city. Besides the establishments noted, the Success Engine-works, E. E. Carter & Co., and the Pittsburgh Shoe-works are in active operation, employng several hundred operatives. The population is estimated at 2,500. There are two churches, Presbyterian and Methodist Protestant. Rev. W. P. Braddock is pastor of the former and George W. Morris of the latter, which is being rebuilt as a brick edifice.

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