Exurb of the Week: Saxonburg (Pittsburgh, Butler: apartment, hotel, homes)

[runpens1]

Saxonburg is a small town and borough (about 0.91 sq. mil.) toward the southeastern portion of Butler County. It is located about 28 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh and 7 miles from the Allegheny County line. It has a population of about 1,400. It is in the South Butler (Knoch) School District.

Saxonburg's history began in 1832 when Friedrich Carl Roebling and his younger brother civil engineer John A. Roebling settled in the area. Roebling had emigrated with his brother Carl and a group of pioneers from Prussia (Germany) in 1831 to flee political unrest and oppression. The two men, along with a handful of a larger group who accompanied them on the trans-Atlantic journey, bought 1,582 acres from a local farmer. The frontier farming community was initially called "Germania". The name was changed to Sachsenburg after German settlers came to the area, then anglicized to its present spelling. The town later grew in the 19th and 20th Centuries as Roebling returned to his career as an engineer and produced wire rope at a workshop on his property in Saxonburg. He designed several suspension bridges, including ones in Pittsburgh and the Brooklyn Bridge. In 1920, KDKA Radio, regarded as the world's first commercial radio station, relocated its transmitter from East Pittsburgh to neighboring Clinton Township. It is no longer there but artifacts of it remain on display at the Saxonburg Museum, co-located with Roebling Park. In 1946, a nuclear lab was established just south of town by Fred Seitz, head of the physics department at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon). The lab flourished until the mid 1970's and is now occupied by the headquarters of II-VI Incorporated manufacturing.

Today, Saxonburg continues to serve as a prominent small town for the area. It is know for its Victorian era architecture and charming downtown, which features many local small businesses. Despite its small size and rural surrounding areas, it is still a relatively happening area. There are some large employers in the surrounding areas including II-VI Incorporated, Penn United Technologies, Concordia Lutheran Health and Human Care, and other local nursing homes. Its population rose to its peak of 1,600 in 2000 due to new apartment buildings construction. It has declined a little since likely due to aging population. It is still an active small town that thrives due to local employment opportunities and proximity to Pittsburgh. They host several events and festivals each year that bring thousands of visitors. It should continue to serve as a charming small town where people of all ages are attracted to for years to come.

[gg]

Great little town. Used to go to the Saxonburg Hotel for dinner and the little restaurant called the Contrary is good with homemade pies and real food. It is far enough from the city to get good service and good food. Some good butchers up that way as well. Saxon golf course is good for a cheap public course and walkable. They have some great festivals there.

[erieguy]

Unfortunately, the Saxonburg Hotel has gone way downhill. Was worth the drive back in the day.