From a company town to a developed commercial district
Looking at the railroad tracks and former company houses of Harmarville along the Allegheny River, it's still possible to see Harmar Township's coal-mining and riverside-industry roots in the 21st century. After shaking off the last of the coal dust with the demolition of the Cheswick Generating Station in 2023, Harmar Township has increasingly become known for its highway sign-heralded Freeport Road businesses, though it hasn't lost the strong sense of community pride that connects the more rural post-industrial neighborhoods along the Allegheny Valley. “There’s no division line. Whether you’re from Cheswick or Harmar, all those communities work together,” says Connie Rusek-Lichok, an associate broker at Coldwell Banker who has lived and specialized in the Allegheny Valley for 45 years. “You’ve got churches, schools, recreation, shopping – you pretty much have it all. If you’re from down there, it’s like you’re a friend for life.” Whether locals are still calling it Harmarville or just Harmar, the township is an impressively modernizing hub commercial hub off the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 28, undercut with enough recreation spaces, preserved local history and tranquil, forested country roads to make it more than a pit stop on the way to Pittsburgh.
The train goes through Harmar Township, right next to the Allegheny River.
Harmar Township is about a 20 minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh.
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Shopping and dining along Freeport Road
Pennsylvania Turnpike drivers needing a break from the road get off at the Allegheny Valley exit, heading toward the commercial strip lining Freeport Road in Harmar Township. Past a collection of hotels, fast food joints and gas stations like McDonald's and Sheetz, catch highway traffic. A recently upgraded Target is the biggest retail anchor on this stretch of Freeport, but has been the center of the township's modern commercial development for much longer than it introduced Tesla charging stations. Sit-down chains from Denny’s to Yinzer-centric Primanti Bros. pop up in standalone buildings and a few small strip malls. Allegheny Health Network Harmar Neighborhood Hospital punctuates the western end of the commercial corridor, a sleek, glassy complex that opened in 2020. The Pittsburgh Mills Mall is farther up Route 28, but most retailers have fled, leaving only anchors like Dick's Sporting Goods and Macy's. Its satellite strip malls have much busier parking lots thanks to big box names like Walmart and Sam's Club. East of the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Bridge, Freeport Road transforms into more of a main street, eschewing neon-lit national chains for long-standing businesses like Wicked Witches Bar & Grille, Fat Cat’s Subs and Riverview Antique ‘N Market Place. Neighboring municipalities like Cheswick and Harwick have their own set of long-time local standbys. “The Bear’s Inn on top of the hill – those men were coal miners, they serve a delicious spaghetti dinner,” Rusek-Lichok says. “They’ve put together monuments for the Harwick Mine disaster and for firemen, they’re very community oriented.” Several churches, including Rock of Ages Alliance Church and Saint Francis of Assisi, hold services throughout the community.
Harmar tradition finds its home through the interior of Bear's Inn.
Riverview Antique N Marketplace is full of treasures for all to enjoy in Harmar Township.
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Single-family blocks in Acmetonia and newer townhouse subdivisions
Long, grassy blocks of single-family homes are the norm in Harmar Township's older Acmetonia section, lining streets in a blend of simple vernacular styles popular from the 1920s through 1950s like Minimal Traditional cottages, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. Prices usually range from $130,000 to $270,000. Homes in HOA-maintained communities like Forest Highland and Forest Manor have the highest prices on the market, with townhouses selling for $340,000 to $775,000 and New Traditional single-family homes selling for $730,000 to $1.2 million plus additional monthly fees in the mid-three figures. While blocks close to the Allegheny River are flat and lined by sidewalks, pedestrian infrastructure and walkability take a hit on streets and subdivisions in the surrounding hills. Homes hiding past the railroad tracks on Hancock Camp and Werner Camp roads often enjoy backyard dock access to the Allegheny River. Harmar Township has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Harmar Township homes often feature front and back yard space.
Smaller Cape Cod style homes are perfect for first-time buyers.
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Route 28 and PRT bus commuting
Route 28 provides a 15-mile commute into downtown Pittsburgh, though rush-hour traffic factors heavily into drive time. Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus stops along Freeport Road provide regular service from Tarentum to Pittsburgh, with a more limited line running all the way out to Harrison Township. Pittsburgh International Airport is around 30 miles away.
Residents can easily access the turnpike in Harmar to reach Pittsburgh about half an hour away.
The train goes through Harmar Township, right next to the Allegheny River.
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Community parks, river recreation and Alpha Ice Complex
A handful of small community parks are scattered throughout Harmar Township, like Acme Park, a small collection of tree-shaded playground equipment and athletic courts. In Cheswick, Rachel Carson Riverfront Park offers a more tranquil green space and access to the Allegheny River for anglers. Boaters and kayakers can take off from the Springdale Boat Ramp or Cheswick Marina, navigating the lock and dam to explore the overgrown forests at Allegheny Islands State Park or opting to head up toward Tarentum. The parking lot of the Alpha Ice Complex is often busy, either with gear-laden youth hockey leagues or free skaters heading in for a couple of hours on the ice. Alexander's Athletic Club offers fitness facilities and classes for all ages, as well as Silver Sneakers active adult classes designed to help prevent health complications and increase strength among aging athletes.
Harwick Park's playground is a favorite of local children and families.
Acme Park offers fenced in sports courts for a quick game.
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Cheswick Strawberry Festival and Pittsburgh Shrine Center
Longtime Harmar Township residents might remember seeing birthday parties advertised on the former FunFest bowling alley's highway sign. New LED signs serve the same function, advertising the sports bar, upgraded laser tag and escape room fun available at the renovated Zone 28. Visitors can engage in some high-tech laser tag competition or stick to league or amateur games on the bowling lanes. The Pittsburgh Shrine Center is a magnet for special events, hosting dozens of festivals, dances and concerts that open ticket sales to the public as well as private parties.
Allegheny Valley partners with Forbes Road Career and Technology
Acmetonia Elementary School serves prekindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C from Niche. Springdale Junior-Senior High School serves seventh through 12th grades and also earns a C. High schoolers wanting career and vocational training opportunities can opt into half- or full-day programs run through the Forbes Road Career and Technology Center.
Acmetonia Primary School is the first stop for many Harmar learners.
Students innovate with technology at Springdale Junior-Senior High School.
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Flood zone along the Allegheny River
During periods of unusually heavy rain, low-lying areas of Harmar Township near the Allegheny River may experience flooding. These areas are largely industrial, and flooding up to Freeport Road is rare.
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Michele Nagoda#1 CHOICE REAL ESTATE
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Spacious 2BR Townhome with Washer and Dryer Hook-ups & Yard! Call us Today for a Showing!
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