On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Springdale is more historic than 88% of U.S. towns, #222 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. All 3 inputs are above most U.S. towns; its share of homes from before 1940 ranks highest and its National Register listings lowest.
A
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Springdale’s overall grade.
Pennsylvania towns list about as much on the Register as the country (a typical Pennsylvania town has 2.1 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Springdale’s 3.0 sits near the middle of its state (61% of Pennsylvania towns have fewer) while its 1 listings outnumber those of 51% of U.S. towns.
How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from B+ to A. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±5.7 points). Two sources give 1820.
Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
What stands out about Springdale’s past
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
Springdale Borough was incorporated in 1906, when it separated from Springdale Township. It was named after local natural springs and the surrounding small valley, or dale. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, but soon colonized by European settlers. The town became a bustling railroad town and a hub for the coal industry in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Springdale originally got its name in the year 1820 by either Hannah Keene or her daughter, Frances Keene. Before this, the town is believed to have been known as "Deertown." Today, Springdale is a quiet residential community with a small downtown area and many small businesses.
Passages that mention Springdale, cut from the printed page as they were published.
History of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania1889 · page 490Read the page →
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Benjamin Coe, a soldier in the war of 1812, came from New Jersey and settled in Pawn township at the time when a blockhouse was erected at what is now Springdale, to protect the white settlers from the Indians. Springdale was formerly Coe station, being named in honor of Benjamin Coe, the first settler of Fawn township. Here he and his
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
History of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania1889 · page 165Read the page →
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The village of Springdale is situated at a great bend of the Allegheny river, sixteen and one-half miles from Allegheny City, by the Western Pennsylvania railroad. The site was originally patented by Edmund J. Hollingshead of Philadelphia. In 1820 John Keen purchased from Mr. Hollingshead a tract of three hundred and seventy acres. The village of Springdale is now on this tract. It was named Springdale Farm, about 1825, by Sarah A. Keen, a daughter of the owner. She selected this name because of the existence of several excellent springs on the farm.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
History of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania1889 · page 166Read the page →
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Butcher run, Allegheny City, to Bouquet station, a short distance above Springdale, the alleged offensive odor produced by this manufacture having prompted the city authorities to compel their removal. In February, 1884, the No. 2 works at Springdale were placed in operation. This is the only glue-factory within a radius of six hundred miles. It was originally established by E. Hoeveler &Co., to whom the W. A. Hoeveler company, limited, succeeded; this name is still retained, although the Hoevelers are no longer interested in the business. The officers of the company are S. H. Keller, chairman; L. C.
Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.
Timeline
Springdale, 1820 to 1975
Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Fire insurance maps drew every building, what it was made of and what it was used for, so insurers could price the risk of fire. Pick a year, then a sheet.
In 1820, according to Wikidata. Springdale’s post office opened in 1827, and the census of 1880 counted 456 people here.
How does Springdale rank for history?
Springdale is more historic than 88% of U.S. towns, #222 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
What is on the National Register in Springdale?
One place: the Rachel Carson House (listed 1976).
How old are the homes in Springdale?
39% of Springdale’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±5.7 points), against a typical 18% for a Pennsylvania town; the median home was built in 1952.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
From Wikimedia Commons (5), Wikidata (1), the National Register of Historic Places (1), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System, Sanborn fire insurance maps (Library of Congress) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
1975
1975
1975