West Pittsburg, Pennsylvania | |
---|---|
CDP | |
Main Street in downtown West Pittsburg
|
|
Location within the state of Pennsylvania | |
Coordinates: 40°55′58″N 80°21′48″W / 40.93278°N 80.36333°WCoordinates: 40°55′58″N 80°21′48″W / 40.93278°N 80.36333°W | |
Country | United States |
Commonwealth | Pennsylvania |
County | Lawrence |
Area | |
• Total | 0.7 sq mi (2 km2) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 808 |
• Density | 1,177.9/sq mi (454.8/km2) |
Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
• Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
West Pittsburg is a census-designated place in southern Taylor Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located along the banks of the Beaver River just 5 miles (8 km) south of New Castle. Its main street is the north-south Pennsylvania Route 168, which crosses the river at the southern end of the community. As the name implies, it is west of Pittsburgh, although it is actually more north-northwest of the city, which is approximately 47 miles (76 km) away.
For a small community, West Pittsburg had one of the largest railroad stations built in the north Pittsburgh area. At one time, the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad thought that the community would become a major railroad hub and constructed a large railroad station that would serve passengers on "The Little Giant". Other railroads that would have benefited were the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Western Allegheny Railroad. However, the hub never materialized. Over time, the three railroads went out of business, but CSX Transportation and the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad continue to use the yard near the West Pittsburg Station to transport freight to cities like Pittsburgh, Butler, Cleveland, New Castle, and Youngstown. The station is currently undergoing a major renovation that will turn it into a museum.