Mt. Lebanon Historic District
Location:
794 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Description:
Mount Lebanon is a Home Rule municipality situated in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 34,075. Functioning as a suburb of Pittsburgh, Mount Lebanon was established in 1912 initially as Mount Lebanon Township, originally a farming community. The advent of the first streetcar lines and the development of the first real estate subdivision in 1901 transformed it into a streetcar suburb, offering residents convenient commuting options to Downtown Pittsburgh. Additionally, the opening of the Liberty Tunnel in 1924 facilitated easy automobile access to Pittsburgh. In 1975, the municipality, then renamed Mount Lebanon, embraced one of Pennsylvania's first Home Rule charters.
European settlers arrived in the area in 1773–1774, purchasing land from William Penn's descendants, while others acquired land from the state government. Mount Lebanon Township was formally incorporated as a "First Class Township" in 1912, previously being part of Scott Township, which traces its roots to the now-defunct St. Clair Township. Interestingly, the name "Mount Lebanon" was derived not from two Cedar of Lebanon trees planted in 1850, but from the area they originated from, Mount Lebanon, due to the similarities in landscapes.
The transition from a farming community to a streetcar suburb was marked by the introduction of streetcar lines in 1901 and 1924, enabling daily commuting to and from Downtown Pittsburgh. The population soared from 2,258 to 13,403 between the 1920 and 1930 censuses. Presently, the Pittsburgh Regional Transit, or "PRT," operates a light rail system, with the Red Line running beneath Uptown Mount Lebanon through the Mount Lebanon Tunnel, merging with the Blue Line in Pittsburgh's Mount Washington section.
In a notable incident in 1971, Muhammad Ali encountered racial discrimination when attempting to purchase a home in Virginia Manor. Some residents attributed the rejection to concerns about anticipated publicity and crowds following Ali's potential residence.
On May 21, 1974, the electorate endorsed a home rule charter, effective from January 1, 1975, shifting away from governance under the Pennsylvania Township Code. Mount Lebanon emerged as one of the pioneering municipalities in Pennsylvania to embrace a home rule charter. Consequently, the municipality's official name became "Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania," with "Mount" abbreviated in all government documents, although the U.S. Postal Service continues to use "Mount."
