Koppel

With well-priced homes, local employment opportunities and riverside recreation, the compact borough of Koppel offers a quiet, small-town lifestyle and the resilience of a rural industrial community. Cushioned by state Route 18 and the sparkling Beaver River just 40 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, Koppel was originally established to provide housing for local factory workers in the early 20th century. Although the name on the factory’s sign may have changed multiple times since its opening, the Koppel Steel Mill, as it’s now known, still serves as one of the area’s top employers and a big reason for residency. “You’ve got a lot of lifers in this community, people find a home, get a job and just never move away,” says Lisa Lathom, Realtor with eXp Realty, who has sold numerous homes in the area.

Besides employment and the small-town atmosphere, Lathom says one of Koppel’s main draws is its affordability. Three-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot homes can list for under $200,000, which is lower than the Beaver County average and significantly cheaper than the Pittsburgh market overall. “Since it’s an old community, there’s a lot of variety in the homes. Sometimes investors will buy up properties, and there are a few existing duplexes, but there’s not much room for development,” Lathom adds.

Most homes range from simple tract housing on narrow lots to updated brick ranch-style properties with grassy lawns. Some homes back up right to the old railroad, which helped put Koppel on the map in the early 20th century, but the noisy train cars are a thing of the past. Front-facing garages are not common, but you may have a rear-entry garage in the backyard. Front yards are petite, often including only a narrow patch of grass beyond the front porch, so you’ll be close enough to the sidewalk to engage in leisurely conversation with your neighbors as you enjoy your morning coffee.

As the morning gets underway, students living in Koppel will be bused to one of the local Big Beaver Falls Area schools. Most students will start out at Big Beaver Elementary, which maintains a grade of B-minus on Niche. After attending Beaver Falls Middle, which maintains a grade of C, students can move on to Beaver Falls High, which maintains a grade of B-minus. Interested high school students can get a head start on a career by joining the Beaver County Career and Technical Education program, which offers hands-on training for careers in the healthcare, construction and education industries.

After a busy school week, you can relax with a serene kayak trip down the Beaver River, which is also a popular local fishing spot. You’ll find accessible boat ramps just a few miles north in the Rock Point Natural Area, where a decommissioned covered railroad bridge provides nesting opportunities for local wildlife. You’ll find Buttermilk Falls Natural Area, another refuge for local wildlife, about 5 miles south, just past the Interstate 76 interchange. Here, you can take a short hike into the woods to reach a rocky lagoon fed by a trickling, moss-covered waterfall. If you’d prefer hunting over hiking, make your way over to State Game Lands No. 148, which covers just under 600 acres and is home to a healthy population of white-tailed deer and wild turkey.

If you’d rather purchase your Thanksgiving turkey at the store, head across the river to the Giant Eagle Supermarket in Ellwood City. Here, you’ll also find the closest health center, as well as numerous restaurants and local boutiques. Closer to home, you’ll find a plethora of home goods and holiday décor at the Dollar General on Big Beaver Boulevard. If you don’t feel like cooking, you can dine out at McDowell’s Inn, Koppel’s only restaurant, or stop for a nightcap at Four Horsemen Tavern, where you can challenge your friends to a lively game of pool.

On the weekend, you’ll find Sims Bowling Lanes to be a popular hangout. You’ll also have easy access to annual races and car shows at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex, which is less than 3 miles from the borough. If you’re looking for a rural community with deep ties to the manufacturing industry, you might enjoy life in Koppel.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Danny Lambert

Video By

Michael Voyack