logo
  • News
    • Northside Community Meetings
    • Community Calendar
    • Elected Officials
    • Features
    • Local Business
    • Pittsburgh Police Blotter
    • Public Safety
    • Sports
  • Arts + Culture
  • Real Estate
  • Classifieds
  • Marketplace
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • News
      • Northside Community Meetings
      • Community Calendar
      • Elected Officials
      • Features
      • Local Business
      • Pittsburgh Police Blotter
      • Public Safety
      • Sports
    • Arts + Culture
    • Real Estate
    • Classifieds
    • Marketplace
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
Summer Hill and Northview Heights
Bridget Fertal, on
July 20, 2017
History of Summer Hill

By Bridget Fertal

On the fringe of Pittsburgh’s Northside, rural-like homes and small estates form the neighborhood of Summer Hill. The area was once part of its borderlands, Ross and Reserve Townships, but was included into Pittsburgh’s Northside on October 31, 1922.

This neighborhood contains the Ivory Avenue district and the Harpen Hilltop development area, but these two places were not always adjoined under the term “Summer Hill,” which was coined in the 1970s.

“In the early 1960s, when I worked as a mailman, I delivered mail to all of the sections that are now called ‘Summer Hill,’” John Canning, a local historian, said. “In those years, there was a noticeable burst of homes built after World War II on streets that were constructed off the Ivory Avenue/ Mt. Troy Road/ East Street as well as a whole new section of homes on the hills on the east side of East Street. This was before I-279 was built.”

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Pittsburgh City Council launched the construction of “Harpen Hilltop,” a 51-acre area on which 373 homes and a 272-unit high-rise for retirees was built in response to the building of I-279, which caused many homes in East Street Valley to be demolished.

In 1977, The City of Pittsburgh Department of Urban Planning’s amassed the areas of Harpen Hilltop and the Ivory Avenue district in its “Neighborhood Profiles,” marking the distinction of Summer Hill for the first time.

Since 2000, Summer Hill’s population has remained around 1,000 people. Summer Hill is home to the SHCC, which embodies the community and organizes events.

“The Summer Hill Citizens Committee (SHCC) is the official neighborhood group representing citizens of Pittsburgh’s upper North Side neighborhood of Summer Hill,” the SHCC Facebook page reads. “The SHCC meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month, with exception to May, July and August, at 6:30 p.m. in the community room of our neighborhood partner, WPXI. All residents and those having business with the group are welcome.”

Donate today to help support the Northside community newspaper's mission to provide hyperlocal coverage for our neighborhoods, neighbors, and their future.

Related Posts
The Northside Chronicle announces photography contest
Arts + Culture
The Northside Chronicle announces photography contest
Photo: The Yurkovich family gathers outside after their long standing tradition of receiving extended family who travels by bus, house-to-house, deliv...
January 12, 2023
Northsider turns tabletop gaming hobby into business
Arts + Culture, Brighton Heights, News
Northsider turns tabletop gaming hobby into business
Photo: Adam Hnatkovich, a Brighton Heights resident, sits alongside a Tunnel Monster Collective banner and a copy of ‘Regenerate!’ Tunnel Monster Coll...
January 5, 2023
Northside Business Briefs: November 2022
Arts + Culture, Business, East Deutschtown and Spring Garden
Northside Business Briefs: November 2022
Stay up-to-date on what’s coming, going, and changing in the Northside business community with The Northside Chronicle’s monthly Northside Business Br...
December 15, 2022
Neighborhood Community Development Fund luncheon returns
Business, Historic Deutschtown, News, Observatory Hill
Neighborhood Community Development Fund luncheon returns
Photo: U.S. Small Business Association District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt, second from left, gives a certificate of appreciation to Neighborhood Communi...
December 15, 2022
Vote now in The Northside Chornicle’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best of Northside Small Business 2022
Local Business, Sponsored Content
Vote now in The Northside Chornicle’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best of Northside Small Business 2022
Last month, The Northside Chronicle asked readers to nominate their favorite neighborhood businesses. Now it's time to vote. Readers of The Northside ...
November 1, 2022
e-Edition
Northside Neighborhoods
Northside Guides
FORMS + SUBMISSIONS
Events Letters to the Editor News Tips
POLL
MOST READ
February poll results
Editor Picks, Features...
February poll results
March 18, 2023
February saw the launch of an exciting new feature on The Northside Chronicle’s website: polls! We asked our visitors to cast their votes on a variety...
this is a test
PREVIEW: Northside company launches program to promote robotics startups
Allegheny City Central, Business...
PREVIEW: Northside company launches program to promote robotics startups
March 17, 2023
Robots are perhaps one of the most common ideas people think about when they envision the future. And one Northside company is seeking to bring the fu...
this is a test
Ask An Attorney
Local Business, News...
Ask An Attorney
March 16, 2023
This month’s article will focus on insurance, namely car insurance. Car insurance is a necessary evil as it allows us to compensate others for injurie...
this is a test
BREAKING: Perry graduate to add books to school’s library
Arts + Culture, Features...
BREAKING: Perry graduate to add books to school’s library
March 16, 2023
A Perry High School graduate will install two of her own books in the school's library in an event this Friday. Maisha Howze , who graduated from Perr...
this is a test
Northside Business Briefs: March 2023
Business, Chateau...
Northside Business Briefs: March 2023
March 15, 2023
Bicycle Heaven reopens after flood damage Bicycle Heaven, the Northside’s bicycle museum and bike repair shop, reopened in late February following flo...
this is a test
Neighborhood Community Development Fund
Northside Leadership Conference
Donate

The Northside Chronicle

thenorthsidechronicle.com
Phone: (412) 321-3919
Email: [email protected]

About Us

Stay tuned with us

Copyright ©2022 Northside Chronicle. All rights reserved.