Clairton, PA

There are many stories that attempt to discern where the name Clairton comes from, but not one answer has been deemed correct. What we do know is that the neighborhood was established in April of 1903 and was abbreviated from Clair Town to Clairton. In the beginning, people were drawn to the area because of its manufacturing companies and residents would work at the steel mill and Coke fuel production facilities. As these enterprises expanded, so did the population. The greatest growth period for the town occurred in the 1950s, but has since leveled off.

Monthly events occur at the Clairton Library and children and families can visit for game and story time. Every year both new and established residents come together to celebrate the neighborhood with Clariton's CommUNITY day. The festival features local food, music groups, petting zoos and even prize drawings, all gathered together to honor the spirit of the eponymous community.

While no museums exist in Clairton proper, nearby Pittsburgh has a number of unique day trip options for culture, such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Andy Warhol Museum. The by-appointment-only Trundle Manor gives those with a taste for the unusual a spot to explore weird yet wonderful phenomena, including taxidermy and preserved specimens.

Clairton has both chain restaurants and local places, which generally can be found along Slate Street, though there are nice finds within the neighborhood also.

Stop by the family-owned T&D's Pub & Grub which lies on Walnut Street and say hello to Tom and Donna. They are best known for their amazing home-made Italian food, but offer a variety of dishes ranging from their juicy burgers cooked to perfection to tangy spaghetti and meatballs. The fried dough appetizer--crisp, infused with basil and tasting both sweet and savory--keeps residents in the area coming back for more. If you've had your pasta quota for the week, locals also rave about the restaurant's fried fish sandwich - a huge portion of fish served with a side and fresh coleslaw.

To fill up on Chinese food, head to the Golden Gate Restaurant. A neighborhood favorite since 1976, it was voted as Clairton's best take-out place, so stop by even if it is just to pick up dinner

Saint Clair Street houses a lunch place and catering company named E.A.T.S., which stands for "Everything And Then Some." They serve delectable meat entrées, such as sweet sausage and melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork. Be careful not to get too full during lunch, because E.A.T.S. has a huge selection of creamy cheesecakes for dessert.

For a fun evening out, Terrace Gardens has a great Happy Hour, and as they say, "the best food at the best prices". On Friday nights the juke box is free and on Saturday evenings, spend the evening listening to live music played by local bands. Clairton doesn't have much in way of clubbing, but luckily Pittsburgh is only half an hour away.

Most residents of Clairton prefer to drive their own cars around the area, and public parking is available. A ride into Pittsburgh only takes about 35 minutes, and the neighborhood has close access to State Route 51 and 43. Sidewalks line some of the streets for residents who prefer to walk.

For residents who need or prefer public transportation, the Port Authority bus system has a few routes that reach Clairton. Daily, weekly, monthly and annual passes are available for travel on the bus and train systems, and free fares and free trips are offered in limited geographical areas for those walking around town. Local cab companies such as Eagle Taxi can be called if residents need a quick and easy ride somewhere; while car services such as Uber do service the Pittsburgh area, they do not travel to Clairton.

Clairton's reputation stems from its huge community park, Clairton Park, which provides excellent fun and entertainment for everyone in the area. All the amenities in the park can be rented out for individual parties and events as well.

The park comes equipped with an Olympic-sized pool for swimming laps and relaxing too. Kids can play on the water slide, and a baby pool is available for toddlers, as long as they have supervision. A nearby food stand helps residents curb their hunger after a long afternoon at the park.

Clairton Park also has multiple shelters; these areas have tables that are perfect for picnics and barbecue pits for grilling out with the whole family. A sizable park lodge that holds around 300 people allows residents to hold larger events, such as weddings.

A baseball field, basketball fields and playgrounds give sports-minded youth a place to practice their game skills and monkey bar techniques, while walking and biking trails offer plenty of options for exercise for park visitors of all ages.

Compared to living in Pittsburgh, life in Clairton costs around 7 percent less. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom in the neighborhood rounds out to about $740 per month.

To ride into the city by bus, residents must pay a fee between $2.50 and $3.75, depending on where they are riding in from. The gas prices in Clairton come in at 12 percent more expensive than the national average. Thirsty residents in search of a refreshing pint can find a beer for about $6 in local bars and taverns.

Clairton does not have department stores or malls, although many are found only minutes from the neighborhood. With only a 15 minute drive, residents can reach Century III Mall on Clairton Road. This mall has a Macy's, JC Penny and Sears for all your shopping needs.The mall also has smaller stores like Body Central for women's apparel and PCX for men and women.

Another short 15 minute drive from Clairton will land you at the Between Friends Boutique. This unique boutique operates as a thrift store and stocks consignment items at excellent prices, so you can look fashionable without having to break the bank. Selection by Genea & Eric, a Clairton favorite since 1994, offers up a unique selection of fashions for men and women.

Residents of Clairton can find groceries and everyday items at Giant Eagle or the Shop N' Save a few minutes away in Elizabeth. There are no farmer's markets in Clairton proper, but Pittsburgh has markets at The Beechview and City-County Buildings that run on weekends from May through November.