Welcome to Scottdale, PA

The borough was named Scottdale in honor of Colonel Thomas A. Scott, who was assistant secretary of war during the Civil War and later president of the Pennsylvania Railroad when it opened its Scottdale branch in the spring of 1873.

Scottdale was incorporated on Feb. 5, 1874. The railroad along with the coal and coke industry played a prominent role in the prosperity and development of the community.

By the early 1900s there were 30,000 coke ovens in the area, while Scottdale was centrally located with hundreds of mining companies surrounding it. The railroad was used to ship coal and coke to various industrial markets throughout the country. Prior to 1874 Scottdale was named Fountain Mills.

Scottdale Today

Scottdale today is a welcoming community of exceptional shops, beautiful tree-lined streets, and historic architecture that attracts many visitors each year to experience our small town charm.

Through the efforts of The Scottdale Area Chamber of Commerce, the downtown district has become revitalized with new streetlights, Christmas lights, Adopt-a-Planter program and a proposed walkway from the Municipal Parking Lot to the downtown area and Veterans Memorial. A Town Center Revitalization Committee was recently formed as an arm of the borough to maintain the authenticity of the downtown/historical district area and its historical aesthetics from storefronts to streetscapes.

Scottdale is located in the Southmoreland School District (www.southmoreland.net). District schools include Alverton Elementary, Ruffsdale Elementary, Scottdale Elementary, Southmoreland Junior High School and Southmoreland Senior High School. Other schools offering education in the local area are St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic School (www.stjohnbaptistschool.org), Mount Carmel Christian School (www.MyMCCS.org) and Verna Montessori School (www.vernamontessorischool.org).

Parks

The borough has several beautiful parks including: Loucks Park, Garfield Park, Kendi Park, Central Park and the Jacobs Creek Walking Trail. Youth stay active through local sports organizations such as the Greater Scottdale Girls Softball League, Scottdale Community Pool, Scottdale Soccer Club (www.scottdalesoccer.com), Southmoreland Recreation League Baseball, and the Regional Family YMCA of Laurel Highlands.

Cultural Attractions

Scottdale is culturally alive serving as home to The Geyer Performing Arts Center (www.geyerpac.com), Greater Scottdale Choral Society, Scottdale Community Concert Band (www.scottdaleband.com) and the Calvin United Presbyterian Bell Choir (www.geocities.com/cupbellchoir).

Several veterans, service and social organizations are active in Scottdale including: The Scottdale American Legion Post 240, Scottdale Veterans of Foreign Wars, Boy and Girl Scouts, Scottdale Rotary, Scottdale Kiwanis, Marion Lodge 562, Elks BPOE, Moose Lodge 194, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Book Club, Garden Club and Saturday Afternoon Club.

Whether you are just visiting or planning to make Scottdale your home, we invite you to explore our site and see what Scottdale has to offer.
 

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