Smaller neighborhoods like Birdville and Natrona built up over a century of Allegheny River-based industrialization, melding into the established township of Harrison. Far from stuck in the past, Harrison Township continues to support a community of small businesses, riverfront industries and generations of longtime residents. “Highland Tire, Anchor Inn, Czekalski Real Estate – some of us have been in business for around 60 years. There’s a lot of shopping, restaurants, we have access to doctors and the ATI Steel Mill still open down in Brackenridge,” says Christine Spece, an associate broker at Czekalski Real Estate who has lived in Harrison her entire life. “It’s very much a community – everyone seems to know each other.” Under the lights at Highlands football games, on riverfront hiking trails and in a 20th-century steel mill filled with 21st-century steelworkers, Harrison doubles as an economic and community center within the Alle Kiski Valley and as a bedroom community to Pittsburgh.
Tightly packed homes sit along tree‑lined neighborhood streets in Harrison.
Inside at the Natrona Heights Fall Festival, there are more activities for families to enjoy.
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Single-family homes from $60,000
Since the mid-20th century, Harrison Township has developed a colorful mix of small, simple single-family homes along grassy blocks. Prewar homes like National gable fronts and American Foursquares blend with Minimal Traditional designs and bungalows, selling for $60,000 to $280,000 depending on square footage and renovation levels. Homes built in the 1950s through 1970s take similar forms and introduce other popular vernacular styles, including ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and Colonial Revival homes with higher square footage and two floors of living space, selling for $70,000 to $390,000, depending on square footage, lot size and upkeep. Homes in need of serious rehabilitation sell for under $60,000. While some streets are lined with extensive, tree-shaded sidewalks, others have only spotty, disappearing stretches or no sidewalk at all.
In Harrison, a colonial home is great for a growing family.
American Foursquare and bungalow style houses line the streets in Harrison.
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Route 28 and PRT buses into Pittsburgh
Commuters have a 23-mile drive into downtown Pittsburgh on Route 28. The Allegheny County Flyer PRT bus runs along Freeport Road from Harrison to the city on weekday mornings and evenings. Health care services and employment are closer to home at Allegheny Valley Hospital and several smaller UPMC medical centers.
Shopping and dining along Freeport Road
Running parallel to the Allegheny River, Freeport Road is Harrison Township’s main commercial thoroughfare. Strip malls like Heights Plaza and Highlands Mall connect shoppers to larger retailers such as Community Supermarket, Walmart, and Tractor Supply, as well as smaller specialty stores and banks. Regional chains like Pittsburgh’s smiley cookie supplier, Eat‘n Park, and smaller franchises like Freedom Square Diner serve familiar diner ambiance and menus, while locally owned gems like J & S Pizza cultivate loyal customer bases with family recipes. Anchor Inn has been in business since 1953 and is well-loved for its broad, homestyle menu and sea-faring window paintings and decor. Several fast food chains and gas stations like Sheetz have locations throughout the township.
Anchor Inn is a naturally lit restaurant with a warm atmosphere.
Freedom Square Diner is a great spot to take the family for breakfast.
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Harrison Hills Park and Allegheny River Access
Harrison Hills Park is a destination park for both township residents and Rachel Carson Trail hikers making their way to the path’s eastern terminus. Shorter hiking trails running through the woods to a scenic overlook of the Allegheny River and a wooden boardwalk observation deck over wetlands are popular with park-goers, as are the playgrounds, soccer fields and fishing lake. Smaller parks are peppered throughout the township, including Bushman Field, home of the Rams Youth Football Organization and Natrona Community Park, which added new mosaics of native birds, fish and other wildlife to its playground and green space. Several blocks away, the Three Rivers Water Trail Natrona Access launches boaters into the Allegheny River. The Sylvan Park Pool is open to members during the warmer months.
Enjoy a hike or run at Rachel Carson Trail in Fawn Township.
Grab a friend and hike the hill of Rachel Carson Trail.
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Golden Rams football games
Highlands Early Childhood Center serves prekindergarten through kindergarten and earns a C-plus from Niche. Highlands Elementary School, formerly called Grandview, serves first through fourth grades and earns a C. Highlands Middle School and Highland High School each earn a C-plus. While high schoolers enjoy diverse extracurriculars, Golden Ram pride is especially great during football season. “Everybody loves football. You can hear cheering from the stadium pretty much throughout the community on Friday nights,” Spece says.
Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades K-5.
Highlands Senior High School has a C-plus rating on Niche.
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Harrison Hills Park and Guardian Angels Parish events
Rotating Allegheny County Parks events take over the lawns and pavilions of Harrison Hills Park, including lawn chair concerts during the Acoustics Series and pop-up Movies in the Park viewings. The Guardian Angels Parish hosts popular annual events, such as the festival that takes over the grounds at Most Blessed Sacrament Church for four nights each July. Hot summer breezes carry the sounds of live music and the smell of powdered sugar-topped funnel cakes through rows of carnival rides and game booths.
All performances are free at the Acoustics Series event at Harrison Hill Park.
The Natrona Heights Fall Festival is a great way for the community to come together.
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Natrona flooding
During unusually heavy rain, areas of Natrona that lie low along the Allegheny River can be prone to storm surge and flooding. Away from the river, Little Bull Creek creates another flood plain.
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1103 Dallas Ave is excited to show off it’s new look. Updates galore! Fully renovated with high end finishes. From the new metal roof, windows, HVAC, electrical, appliances to the added parking in the exterior this home is practically all new. The redesigned front porch has new windows and great woodwork . You are greeted by new flooring and a fireplace with electric hookup in the living room.
Welcome to this beautifully updated 1-bedroom, 1-bath home featuring a brand new modern kitchen and bathroom, fresh paint, new flooring, and plush carpet throughout. Enjoy off-street parking in the back of the house. This home has been completely redone from the drywall to insulation, to electric, to plumbing, newer hot water tank, & furnace. Bedroom & Bathroom located on 2nd floor. Great back
Lovely Residential Building Lot in a community of custom homes and varied architecture. Large Corner Lot. Nice elevation Ideal for Walk out Basement. Public Utilities available at the curb and all underground. Some mature trees. Bring your builder or we can recommend one. Easy access to 28 and all that Pittsburgh has to offer for business, medical, education, sports, cultural, art and
Lovely Residential Building in Lot Tara Estates -- a community of custom homes and varied architecture. Nice elevation Ideal for Walk out Basement. Public Utilities available for tap in-- all underground. Some mature trees. Bring your builder or we can recommend one. Easy access to 28 and all that Pittsburgh has to offer for business, medical, education, sports, cultural, art and entertainment.
Unique investment opportunity in Natrona Heights! This versatile parcel includes a 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-family home with a detached 2-car garage plus an additional detached 2-car garage with a separate 1-bedroom apartment above—a rare multi-unit setup on nearly a half-acre lot. Each residence features separate utilities, offering excellent rental flexibility and income potential. While the
Welcome to 221 Summit, a quality craftsman style home tucked away on a quiet cul de sac street and set on a generously sized lot. This 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom residence offers approximately 3,200 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space filled with warmth and character.Classic details are found throughout, including three functioning gas fireplaces that create inviting spaces for both
Beautiful, fully renovated 5 unit brick apartment building available as a turn-key investment! All 5 units have brand new kitchens with soft close cabinetry and formica countertops with tile backsplash, all new flooring throughout consisting of carpeted bedrooms and LVT living areas, all brand new bathrooms with tile tub / shower surrounds, LED lighting throughout all units and common areas, all
Oakridge Estates Phase 2. Built in 2017. Corner lot, large entry, fully equipped center island kitchen. Breakfast room with wall of windows to let the natural light in. formal living room, formal dining room, family room with gas fireplace. All big bedrooms on the second floor. Master bath has a walk in shower and double bowl vanity. Laundry room on second floor with washer and dryer included.
Beautiful and picturesque level corner lot in Natrona Heights in residential neighborhood. Zoned commercial. Conveniently located to schools, shopping and recreational. Hospital less than 1/2 mile away.
Denise LewandowskiHOWARD HANNA REAL ESTATE SERVICES
Unique investment opportunity in Natrona Heights! This versatile parcel includes a 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-family home with a detached 2-car garage plus an additional detached 2-car garage with a separate 1-bedroom apartment above—a rare multi-unit setup on nearly a half-acre lot. Each residence features separate utilities, offering excellent rental flexibility and income potential. While the
Rough properties bring smooth opportunities, this side by side duplex awaits your full remodel project! Off Street Parking behind the units, this is within walking distance of the park.
Residential building lot. Completely level. Recently cleared for build. All utilities are available. Peoples Gas. West Penn Power Electric. Harrison Township Water Authority. Upper Allegheny Joint Sanitary Authority Sewage. Noble Environmental/County Hauling Refuse.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! One bedroom duplex for rent in Tarentum. This second floor unit features one large bedroom, a nice sized living room, spacious kitchen and a full bath. This is conveniently located near parks, shopping and access to the highways for an easy commute. This property features one off street parking spot in the rear of the residence. Street parking is available
Pacific Highlands Apartments are superbly situated in the heart of Natrona Heights, within walking distance of convenience shopping, restaurants and Highlands Schools. Convenient to the area's top employers, RIDC Park and the area's largest hospital, Pacific Highlands is close to everything. There is easy access to Route 28 to Downtown Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Our 1 & 2 bedroom
Seconds from Exit 16, Millerstown Exit, Allegheny Valley Expressway, this 3 bedroom brick home is in immaculate condition. First floor bedroom plus 2 additional bedrooms on upper level. New carpeting. Freshly painted throughout. Kitchen has oak cabinets and dishwasher. New carpeting in living room, dining room and one bedroom. The two other bedrooms have hardwood floors. Washer and dryer in lower
Property Id: 1447822Bright and Fully Renovated 3-Bedroom Upper Unit in DuplexThis beautifully updated 3-bedroom upstairs unit offers modern living with a fresh touch. Every detail has been redone, from the floors to the ceilings, ensuring a pristine and comfortable home. The kitchen features all-new cabinets, providing ample storage, while the completely updated bathroom adds
Welcome this beautifully renovated 3 bedroom 1 bathroom home in the heart of natrona height. Central Air with updated kitchen and bathroom. Rent is $1200and $1200 deposit due at lease signing. Section 8 accepted. Tenant pays all utilities.
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