ARNOLD
A Great Town In Westmoreland County
by Karen Fetter
Known as the Proud City of Proud People, the city of Arnold is located along
the northwest corner of Westmoreland County. As with many cities and towns in
Westmoreland County, it is rich with history and community pride.
Arnold History :
Arnold Resources : Arnold Chamber of Commerce
Much of Arnolds heritage begins in its heyday when the steel industry was
booming in the Pittsburgh area. Arnolds success was due to its prime location
along the Allegheny River. However, this small town suffered when the steel
mills started to close in the 1970s and 1980s. Yet despite this adversity, the
community pulled together to begin a rebirth. Arnold is involving itself with
community projects, trying to bring in different industries, and adding more
people to the community. Arnold residents enjoy living here and spread their
family values and pride throughout the area.
Arnold History
Surrounded by New Kensington, Arnold is .74 square miles with a population of
6,113.
Indian fighter Major Andrew Arnold first settled the community of Arnold in
1852. It is from Major Andrew that the area derives its name. He later gave this
land to his daughter, Sarah E., wife of Colonel Robert Parks Crawford. The land
was just beginning to settle when the Chambers Glass Company became established
in 1891. Now the quiet little village began its transformation into a thriving
industrial town. Its population had risen with the increase in work, and
immigrants poured into the community to make their homes.
With the increasing industrialization, the community began to develop into
political wards. In 1892, New Kensington was incorporated with Arnold as a ward
of it. Then in October 1895, a movement was started to have the second ward
(Arnold) incorporated into a separate borough. The separation from New
Kensington and Arnolds incorporation as a borough was completed on January 14,
1896.
Arnold has a number of historic landmarks which help preserve its rich history.
Morris Davis
On the corner of Leishman and Richmond Avenue is the Morris Davis home. It was
built by Morris Davis who had a major role in the political history of Arnold as
a city councilman. It was one of the first homes in Arnold to have electricity.
Hartley Howard
This home stands midway in the 1600 block of Leishman Avenue. It was once the
home of Harry Koessler, one of the early Burgesses of Arnold.
John Fedan
In 1917 John Fedan built this structure to be rented out to other
merchants. When no one rented the office space, he started a hardware business
for himself. He later added a furniture and appliance store.
Arnold Traffic Store
Another long time standing building in Arnold is what was once the Arnold
Traffic Store, now home to Arnold Furniture. The building had been a general
store, a meeting place, a temporary church for Arnold Presbyterians, an office
for ALCOA, an amateur playhouse, a nightclub, and W.R. Gotts Furniture Store.
The Arnold Station
When the Allegheny Valley line extended its tracks, it laid a double line to
Arnold and a single track continued on. At that time, a very unusual agreement
was signed between the railroad company and W. H. Crawford that every train was
required to stop and sign a registry. As a result, many trains came to a
complete halt and the conductor would leave the train and reboard when passing
through Arnold. The three daily express trains always stopped in Arnold, despite
the fact that New Kensington was larger and more populous.
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Arnold Resources
Arnold Schools
Students from the City of Arnold belong to the
New Kensington-Arnold School District. The average number of students is
2,700 with a 17 to 1 student ratio. The school district is comprised of seven
schools located throughout the cities of New Kensington and Arnold. Located
within the City of Arnold are two of seven schools - H.D. Berkey School and
Valley Middle School. The H.D. Berkey School houses all of the fourth and fifth
grade students in the school system and was the former elementary school for
Arnold. Valley Middle School takes in all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade
students in the district and was formerly Arnold High School.
Senior Citizens
Senior citizens are considered a valuable resource and asset to the community of
Arnold. There are two high-rise apartment buildings in the city, which are both
located on Horne Boulevard. Arnold was instrumental in forming the Alle-Kiski
Valley Senior Citizens Center in 1975 and the acquisition of it's new building
in 1986.
Ambulance, Fire, and Police
Volunteer Ambulance
Arnold Emergency Medical Services is an advanced life support pre-hospital care
and medical transportation service whose goal is to provide quality patient care
throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley and surrounding communities.
Volunteer Fire Department
Arnold Volunteer Fire Department consists of two "companies" named the Citizens
Volunteer Fire Co. #1 and Arnold Volunteer Engine Co. #2. The department has
approximately 60 active members staffing the two fire stations on a volunteer
basis.
Arnold Police Department
Arnold Police Department prides itself on being one of the most modern police
departments in Westmoreland County. The department has 10 full time officers
that respond to a wide variety of emergencies.
The Valley Family Points YMCA
The Valley Points Family YMCA is built from two successful branches - the New
Kensington Branch and the Kiski Branch. The New Kensington YMCA opened its doors
to people of all ages, races, religions and incomes for the past 103 years. The
Kiski Branch YMCA serves over 1,100 members. Together, the Valley Points Family
YMCA is one of the largest social service agencies in the Alle-Kiski Valley. It
offers aquatics, fitness, sports and child care services. Visit the
Valley Family Points YMCA website for more
information.
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Arnold Chamber of Commerce
The Arnold Chamber of Commerce was organized on October 8, 1964 by a group of
civic-minded business people. At that time Arnold was facing a loss of its two
major employers - Alcoa and American St. Gobain. The Chambers goals were set for
every facet of community life. The objective was to improve public facilities,
housing, schools, and health care, while at the same time promoting the free
enterprise system. This group remains enthusiastic, creative and cooperative
about the future of the City of Arnold. They are dedicated to the ideal that
only by "Dreaming big dreams, can mountains be moved."
For more information. contact the Chamber at 724-337-0400, or visit the website
at www.ArnoldPA.org.
Arnold's Future
Arnold is experiencing a redevelopment project a Park Improvement and
Expansion Project at the Kennedy Riverside Park along the banks of the Allegheny
River. This project, to be completed in the spring of 2006, will include new
walkways and lights. The next phase of the project will take place next year.
Part of keeping a community alive is by preserving it and that is what Arnold
has plans to do.
Arnold is also rezoning the 1300 blocks of Third and Fourth Avenue for light
industrial and commercial use. This will encourage more industry to stay in the
community.
Activities and Events
Arnold High School Reunion
Despite the fact that Arnold High School is now a part of Valley High School,
there is a large homecoming this summer for former graduates. If you are a
graduate, please contact the Arnold Chamber at 724-337-0400 for more
information.
Gala Event
The Hope Center is joining with the Alle-Kiski Medical Center for a gala event
to be held May 10 at the Clarion Hotel in New Kensington from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The event is to raise awareness of local agencies that help battered women and
children. There will be crafts, art, and free admission.
Community Days
Community Days is a three-day event held in memorial Park in New Kensington. The
date for the 2006 event is still being planned. Contact the Arnold Chamber of
Commerce at 724-337-0400 for more specific details.
For cities to remain vibrant, they need commerce and people to keep them alive
and growing. With its location near the new Pittsburgh Mills Mall and downtown
Pittsburgh, Arnold has many advantages. There is shopping, entertainment, and
dining in close proximity. It also shares its community life with nearby New
Kensington. This friendly community has always been a tremendous resource to the
history, community spirit, and commerce of Westmoreland County, and will
continue to be so in the years ahead. Visit Arnold to see why it is the Proud
City of Proud People.
Arnold, Westmoreland County, PA
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