After a long day of biking, cyclists stop in the tiny hamlet of Boston, 20 miles from Pittsburgh. Although Boston is a pitstop on the cyclists' journey along the Great Allegheny Passage, the small restaurants, friendly residents and relaxing accommodations leave travelers looking over their shoulders, missing the community of Boston. The Little Boston Inn welcomes tired cyclists with an expansive patio and a flourishing garden. The vinyl-sided foursquare's red door leads to a place to rest, a firepit, bike rental and repair shop. The Great Allegheny Passage, previously an abandoned railroad, stretches 150 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to downtown Pittsburgh. This passage may be taken to Washington D.C., when combined with the C&O Canal Towpath. Visits from bicyclists traveling this path are the main source of tourism for this quiet town.
Boston is part of Elizabeth Township and can be found on the banks of the Youghiogheny River.
Bikers always have a fun time riding on The Great Allegheny Passage trail.
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Life on the Youghiogheny River
“Boston is close to the river if you like boating,” says Lori Bost, sales associate with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “On the river, there’s a bunch of little restaurants. If you’re a boater, that’s always nice.” Near the Boston Bridge is a boat ramp into the Youghiogheny River, the Yough for short, where residents kayak and fish. Locals enjoy snacks and drinks from Rich’s Parkside Den while relaxing in the open green space of Boston Ballfield Park. Boston has its version of the Liberty Bell at a war memorial called the Boston Honor Roll. Eight miles of trails stretch across 450 acres of sycamore trees, streams and undergrowth at Dead Man’s Hollow. The site was once a quarry, then a pipe factory and the dangerous work environments have fueled rumors of accidental deaths and murders. It's now a conservation area. The Allegheny Land Trust leads hikes to learn about the ecology of the hollow and explore the remains of a 100-year-old factory.
Take a ride across the Boston bridge and see what you are missing in Boston.
Dead Man's Hollow is next door in Lincoln and is accessable by the Boston trail.
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Single-family homes from $50,000
Ranch and Craftsman-style homes are laid in a grid and set back from wide roadways. While Boston has a walkable terrain with popular eateries less than a mile from homes, there are limited sidewalks. Most homes were built around the 1930s and range in price from $50,000 to $150,000.
Ranch style homes are part of what makes up the Boston neighborhoods.
Boston has rows of homes that fit any kind of style.
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Elizabeth Forward High's Apple program
Children may attend Greenock Elementary School for kindergarten through second grade and Mt Vernon Elementary School for third through fifth grade. Students advance to Elizabeth Forward Middle School and Elizabeth Forward High School. All four schools receive a B-plus from Niche. Elizabeth Forward High School is recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for using Apple products to forward its classroom learning.
Mount Vernon Elementary School is dedicated to the children of Boston.
Elizabeth Forward High School prepares students in Boston for the real world.
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Shopping and dining in Boston
Bicyclists frequent Rich’s Parkside Den, a local bar and eatery, where residents talk to visiting bicyclists over a burger and a beer. For a reminder of their stay in Boston, cyclists will visit The Betsy Shoppes & Bistro for a trinket from the gift shop that carries home goods and self-care items. The bistro serves breakfast, lunch and high tea. Residents visit Shop ‘n Save in the Olympia Shopping Center or Aldi in Versailles for groceries and other necessities. There's also a Dollar General nearby.
Locals enjoy conversation and drinks a Rich's Parkside Den in Boston.
Boston residents visit near by Lampert's Fine Meats & Deli for a variety of meats and cheese.
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Light the Night
Boston is a small hamlet within the greater Elizabeth Township, and the township hosts most events. Elizabeth Township Light the Night begins with Santa Claus riding a firetruck from Butler’s Golf Course to Elizabeth Forward Middle School and ends with a tree lighting and gift basket auction. Residents attending religious services may visit the Boston United Methodist or the Living Hope Church.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
Photography Contributed By
Alan Battles
Video By
Curtis Newkirk
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rob Hako,
an experienced agent in this area.
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Open House Saturday, March 14th 11am-1pm. This beautifully renovated ranch offers true one-level living with modern updates throughout. The all-new kitchen features sleek quartz countertops, a center island, and fully equipped stainless steel appliances, seamlessly connecting to the dining and living areas for easy everyday living and entertaining. The sun-filled family room showcases dramatic
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Completely remodeled 3-bedroom Cape Cod featuring major updates throughout, including a new roof, furnace, central A/C, sewage line, and updated electrical. Beautiful wood flooring spans the main level, leading into a spacious living room and an open-concept kitchen and dining area—perfect for entertaining. The kitchen boasts granite countertops, a large island, soft-close cabinetry, and abundant
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Greenock has plenty of green space to offer from the expansive lawns to a scenic trail along the Youghiogheny River, locally known as The Yough. “It’s a suburb that still has a rural feel since homebuyers have more land there,” says Alecia DiMatteo, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who has lived in the area her whole life. The river is known for being a key location of the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War, where the first shots were fired. Today, the river brings in not tourists as well as longtime residents. “Many outdoorsy people move here since the river is nearby,” says Kim Stotlemyer, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, who has been selling homes in the area for nearly two decades. There’s also a well-regarded golf club nearby that attracts homebuyers, the Youghiogheny Country Club, Stotlemyer says.
The Great Allegheny Passage is a trail that borders the edge of Greenock and follows the surrounding Youghiogheny River. Here, residents come to jog, bike, or walk along the river. “People live here to be by the bike trail and the river,” Rollison says. In the warmer months, the river is a popular spot for kayaking, tubing and river rafting. The Youghiogheny Country Club is known for its challenging golf course and is a popular place to hold events and gatherings, like birthday parties.
Bordered by the river, Greenock has winding roads and large yards. "The architecture is not seamless. There are all different kinds in Greenock,” says Devie Rollison, a Realtor with Realty One Group Gold Standard, who’s been selling homes in the area for over a decade. Cape Cods and ranch-style homes with front porches range between $100,000 to $250,000 while brick Colonial Revivals range from $150,000 to $250,000.
Greenock students attend the Elizabeth Forward School District, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Children can go to Greenock Elementary School, before advancing to Elizabeth Forward Middle School, and then possibly moving on to Elizabeth Forward Senior High School. All schools receive a B-plus from Niche, which the middle and high schools offer many clubs like an Arts and Bots STEM Club and Leo Club, where students do community services. The nearest private school option is Mary of Nazareth Catholic School, just 5 miles away. Greenock has two prominent churches and one ministry in the area, Greenock United Methodist Church, the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church and the River House Ministry.
History buffs can visit the Greenock Log House on Greenock Buena Vista Road. This home preserves the history of the neighborhood, where conflicts first sparked the French and Indian War in the mid-1700s. In downtown Pittsburgh – just 17 miles away – residents can catch a concert at Heinz Hall or watch the Penguins play hockey at the PPG Paints Arena.
Residents can grab a quick bite at Hurd’s Greenock Deli, which serves subs and baked goods made from scratch. To dine in, Muddy Waterz Bar & Grill offers breakfast and seafood sandwiches in a wooded bar interior. For homemade dinners, people shop at the Stop n’ Save across the bridge on Walnut Street.
Residents can use U.S. Route 30 to reach work in the area and downtown Pittsburgh. Those using public transportation have a harder time getting to work since there’s no public bus service in Greenock. They must travel over the Boston Bridge to public bus stops along Walnut Street. A major employer in the area is UPMC McKeesport Hospital. The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport is about 30 miles away.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
