Evans City Borough: Bucolic Setting with Access to More
December 19th, 2023
Two hundred years ago, the location that is now Evans City, PA in Butler County, was a favored camping ground for Native Americans. While the French knew it as “Casse-couanse”, or “Breakneck Creek,” a name adopted by travelers between Fort Duquesne and Fort Machault, as well as the English-speaking pioneers of the original township of Connoquenessing.
From 1804-1836, the site was called “Bogg’s Mill,” and later changed to “Evansburg”, after Thomas B. Evans, who purchased and rebuilt the original Bogg’s Mill. As stated on Wikipedia, “in 1880 it was a little hamlet, credited with a population of 68 people. In 1890, there were 637 persons enumerated in the census, and at the beginning of 1894, it was generally credited with a population of approximately 1,000.”
In October 1878, the railroad was completed to Evans City, with the first freight delivered being a new boiler to replace one which had exploded in the Sutton flouring mill. The residence for the pastor of the German Lutheran church, the Henry Young store, and other houses were completed, and the new railroad town showed increased signs of business activity. A council appears to have had control of the place at that time, street improvements, and of the appointment of Z. T. Weise as chief of police were mentioned.
The burning question at the time was the location of the railroad depot. Once the location for the depot was chosen, it became a rather famous decision, creating the nation's only railway depot that was built over water. Spanning the Breakneck Creek on iron beams for support, the picturesque railway station was an iconic landmark of breathtaking architecture. Due to its age and growing structural instability, and against much popular protest, the station was finally demolished in the early 1980s.
In 1882 Evans City was incorporated as a borough. At the charter election held September 22, of that year, Edward Dambach was chosen burgess.
Today, the Edco Park and Pool offers residents swimming facilities, playground, basketball court, and horseshoes for family fun. The library offers many events and activities throughout the year as well as hosting the Borough Council meetings, which are held on the first Mondays of the month.
Evans City Borough, located about 23 miles north of Pittsburgh, boasts small town charm and plenty of events for its residents and visitors. With easy access to major routes such as I79, 279 and I80, the borough is a perfect place for those who want bucolic settings, while remaining close big city arts and culture, entertainment, and work.
To learn more about Evans City Borough, visit evanscity.us.
Two hundred years ago, the location that is now Evans City, PA in Butler County, was a favored camping ground for Native Americans. While the French knew it as “Casse-couanse”, or “Breakneck Creek,” a name adopted by travelers between Fort Duquesne and Fort Machault, as well as the English-speaking pioneers of the original township of Connoquenessing.
From 1804-1836, the site was called “Bogg’s Mill,” and later changed to “Evansburg”, after Thomas B. Evans, who purchased and rebuilt the original Bogg’s Mill. As stated on Wikipedia, “in 1880 it was a little hamlet, credited with a population of 68 people. In 1890, there were 637 persons enumerated in the census, and at the beginning of 1894, it was generally credited with a population of approximately 1,000.”
In October 1878, the railroad was completed to Evans City, with the first freight delivered being a new boiler to replace one which had exploded in the Sutton flouring mill. The residence for the pastor of the German Lutheran church, the Henry Young store, and other houses were completed, and the new railroad town showed increased signs of business activity. A council appears to have had control of the place at that time, street improvements, and of the appointment of Z. T. Weise as chief of police were mentioned.
The burning question at the time was the location of the railroad depot. Once the location for the depot was chosen, it became a rather famous decision, creating the nation's only railway depot that was built over water. Spanning the Breakneck Creek on iron beams for support, the picturesque railway station was an iconic landmark of breathtaking architecture. Due to its age and growing structural instability, and against much popular protest, the station was finally demolished in the early 1980s.
In 1882 Evans City was incorporated as a borough. At the charter election held September 22, of that year, Edward Dambach was chosen burgess.
Today, the Edco Park and Pool offers residents swimming facilities, playground, basketball court, and horseshoes for family fun. The library offers many events and activities throughout the year as well as hosting the Borough Council meetings, which are held on the first Mondays of the month.
Evans City Borough, located about 23 miles north of Pittsburgh, boasts small town charm and plenty of events for its residents and visitors. With easy access to major routes such as I79, 279 and I80, the borough is a perfect place for those who want bucolic settings, while remaining close big city arts and culture, entertainment, and work.
To learn more about Evans City Borough, visit evanscity.us.
