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Brief History of McKeesport, Pa.
The city of McKeesport, in Allegheny County, in the state of Pennsylvania, was named in
honor of David McKee, a north-country Irishman, who, at the
close of the French and Indian War, came to the Monongahela,
where he was well received by Queen Aliquippa, who allowed him to
settle at the mouth of the Youghiogheny River. In 1769 the colonial
government confirmed to him the right of exclusive ferriage
over the two rivers at their confluence. In the same year David
McKee and his two sons, Robert and Thomas, secured title to a
tract of 844 acres of land now occupied by the city of McKeesport.
John McKee , son of David, inherited his father's property,
and added much to it by numerous purchases. He possessed great
energy and shrewd business ability, and soon became one of the
largest individual landowners in Allegheny County. Judged by the
standards of that day, he was a man of wealth. In 1793 he became
surety for his brother-in-law, Judge John Redick, who was under
contract to furnish supplies for the famous Indian expedition of
General Wayne. John Redick failed to fulfill his contract, and
his bondsman was required to meet obligations aggregating many
thousands of dollars. John McKee's property was sold at a great
sacrifice by the United States marshal for about $30,000.
After his financial reverses John McKee conceived the idea
of retrieving his fortunes by laying out a town at the mouth of
the Youghiogheny River. The site was not particularly inviting,
much of the tract being either swamp or forest; but it presented
unusual commercial possibilities because of its situation at the
junction of the Monongahela and the Youghiogheny Rivers. Here in
1795, John McKee laid out the town of McKeesport, which he is
said to have named in honor of his father, David McKee. In 1830,
McKeesport was still a mere country village. In that year, however,
John Harrison opened coal mines; in a few years the mining
and shipping of coal became an important industry; and McKeesport
began its career as a great industrial town. It became a borough
in 1842. The name McKee is a variant of McKay, which is said to
mean "the son of fire."
Reprinted from "Pennsylvania Place Names" by Abraham
Howry Espenshade.
Detailed History of McKeesport, Pa
This History of McKeesport is being displayed by using links to the Historic Pittsburgh site. When using this series of links, all you need to do is click the "Next Page" button to continue reading a section.
The McKee Family - Early History of McKeesport - Original Lot Owners - The Place in 1830 - Early Trade, Commerce and Manufactures - Growth of the Town
Additions, - Incorporations - List of Burgesses - Public Improvements - Banks, etc. - Population - Newspapers - Schools - Secret Societies - Churches
John McKee
Old Time Residents
Old Time Voting
Topography
McKeesport's Centennial Celebration (Names of all who organized the event)
McKeesport's Schools and Schoolhouses
McKeesport's Churches
McKeesport's Secret Societies
McKeesport's "Silent Cities"
Occupations - Professionals and Otherwise
McKeesports Military Record
Public Offices and Officers
McKeesport Professional Men
McKeesport's Notable Public Buildings
Some Early Incidents
Notable Fires in McKeesport
Post Office and Postmasters
McKeesport's Smaller Industries
Boat and Skiff Building
River Navigation
McKeesport Railroads
City Passenger Railways
McKeesport Bridges
The Coal Business
Western Pennsylvania Family Group Genealogies
Beginning of McKeesport Genealogies and Biographies
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