Overview & Orientation
Pleasant Hills is a borough in southern Allegheny County, in the South Hills along PA Route 51 (Clairton Boulevard). It covers about 2.8 square miles. Pleasant Hills is known for the 1939 Route 51 cloverleaf, the Pleasant Hills Arboretum, its borough parks, the shopping centers along Clairton Boulevard, and the West Jefferson Hills School District.
Where Pleasant Hills Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Municipality type: Borough, incorporated in December 1946 after separating from Jefferson Township. See borough history.
- Size: About 2.78 square miles
- ZIP code: 15236
- Bordering communities: Baldwin (northwest), West Mifflin (northeast), and Jefferson Hills (southeast). South Park Township lies to the southwest. See Pleasant Hills on Wikipedia.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| South Hills Village | 10–15 minutes |
| The Waterfront (Homestead) | 15–25 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 20–30 minutes |
| Oakland | 25–35 minutes |
| Monroeville | 25–35 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 40–50 minutes |
A Brief History
John Reed Jr., the first landowner of record, called the area Reedsburg. His brother-in-law, William Walker, named his farm Pleasant Hill Farm, which gave the borough its name. Walker’s stone farmhouse later became a tavern and stagecoach stop near today’s Route 51 and Lebanon Church Road. See Pleasant Hills history.
The first planned suburban streets opened in 1929 along what is now Lebanon Church Road, and the farmland changed quickly to suburbs in the 1930s. In 1939, Allegheny County built the Pleasant Hills Cloverleaf, which carries Route 51 over Lebanon Church Road and Curry Hollow Road, as a federal public works project. The borough had about 837 homes when it incorporated and about 2,630 within 25 years.
Notable Landmarks
- Pleasant Hills Arboretum: A 16-acre woodland preserve, once described by a Carnegie Museum team as a “Living Museum”
- Bear’s Retreat: A log house built around 1794 with an 1840 brick addition, named a Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation landmark in 1983
- Torrence House: A 1797 stone house on Colson Drive
- Pleasant Hills Cloverleaf: The 1939 Route 51 interchange, with its decorative thistle railings
- Clairton Boulevard (Route 51): The borough’s business corridor
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Suburban growth: Pleasant Hills grew from farmland into a suburb starting in the 1930s, with planned streets first laid out in 1929.
- Later neighborhoods: Developments include streets such as Betty Rae Drive, Melvin Drive, Old Lebanon Church Road, and Pleasant Hills Boulevard.
- Historic homes: A few early homes remain, including the 1797 Torrence House and the log Bear’s Retreat, both still homes today.
Types of Homes
Pleasant Hills’ housing is mostly homes built as the borough grew from the 1930s onward, along streets laid out off Route 51 and Lebanon Church Road.
Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Pleasant Hills.
Schools
Public Schools
Pleasant Hills is served by the West Jefferson Hills School District, with offices at 830 Old Clairton Road, Jefferson Hills, (412) 655-8450. The district also serves Jefferson Hills and West Elizabeth.
- McClellan Elementary School (K–2), 360 School Lane, Pleasant Hills
- Gill Hall Elementary School (K–2), 829 Gill Hall Road, Jefferson Hills
- Jefferson Hills Intermediate School (3–5), 875 Old Clairton Road
- Pleasant Hills Middle School (6–8), Old Clairton Road
- Thomas Jefferson High School (9–12), 830 Old Clairton Road
Elementary assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district.
Other Schools Nearby
The borough’s schools page lists nearby options including Nativity School of South Park, St. Elizabeth Grade School, Wilson Christian Academy in West Mifflin, and the Steel Center career and technical school in Clairton.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Community College of Allegheny County South Campus (West Mifflin)
- Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (Allegheny County Airport, West Mifflin)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland campuses, about 25 to 35 minutes away
For school performance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Future Ready PA Index and the district’s own website. School assignments can change. Confirm directly with the district.
Getting Around
Major Roads
- PA Route 51 (Clairton Boulevard): The main route through the borough, north toward Pittsburgh and south toward Jefferson Hills
- Lebanon Church Road and Curry Hollow Road: Meet Route 51 at the 1939 cloverleaf
- Old Clairton Road: Connects the borough’s library and schools
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit Route 51 Carrick connects Pleasant Hills with Downtown Pittsburgh, with stops along Lebanon Church Road. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Walkability varies by street. For ratings, enter a specific address at Walk Score. The arboretum’s trails offer a place to walk in the woods.
Things to Do
Parks
Borough parks and shelter rentals are listed on the recreation page. Shelters can be rented from April 1 to October 31.
Mowry Park
At 400 Mowry Drive, part of the borough’s park system with fields, playgrounds, and picnic shelters.
Pleasant Kingdom
At 410 East Bruceton Road, next to the borough building.
Route 51 Playground
A playground on Clairton Boulevard.
Together the borough’s parks offer baseball, football, soccer, softball, basketball, and roller hockey, plus playgrounds, picnic shelters, and walking paths.
Recreation
- Pleasant Hills Arboretum: A 16-acre woodland with trails and a meadow, including story hikes run with the library
- Summer Recreation Program: Run by the borough
- Jefferson Memorial Park: A 340-acre arboretum in the borough with more than 8 miles of roads used by walkers
Annual Events
- Pleasant Hills Community Day: An annual borough celebration
- Summer recreation and library programs: Including arboretum story hikes
See the borough website for current dates.
Dining & Shopping
- Clairton Boulevard (Route 51): Shopping centers including Southland, Bill Green Shopping Center, and Curry Hollow Center, plus restaurants and services
- South Hills Village and The Waterfront: Larger shopping 10 to 25 minutes away
Library
The Pleasant Hills Public Library is at 302 Old Clairton Road, (412) 655-2424. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Local Services & Resources
Pleasant Hills Borough Building
410 East Bruceton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
Phone: (412) 655-3300
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: pleasanthillspa.com
Council meetings: The third Monday of each month at 7 p.m., with agenda review the second Monday. See government.
Utilities
- Trash and recycling: County Hauling, (724) 929-7694. Garbage is collected weekly and recycling every other week. Confirm the current schedule with the borough.
- Water: Pennsylvania American Water
- Sewer: Billed by the borough. The Pleasant Hills Authority treats wastewater, (412) 653-3878.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Pleasant Hills Police: Non-emergency (412) 655-5045
- Fire: Pleasant Hills Volunteer Fire Company, 72 Clairton Boulevard
- EMS: Baldwin EMS, (412) 884-0666
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Jefferson Hospital, 565 Coal Valley Road, Jefferson Hills, (412) 469-5000
Permits & Zoning
Building permits and zoning go through the Zoning and Building Department, (412) 655-5035, Monday through Friday. Call before starting a renovation, fence, deck, or addition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Pleasant Hills, PA in?
Pleasant Hills is in Allegheny County, in the South Hills along Route 51.
How did Pleasant Hills get its name?
From William Walker’s Pleasant Hill Farm, one of the area’s early farms.
What school district serves Pleasant Hills?
The West Jefferson Hills School District, which also serves Jefferson Hills and West Elizabeth. McClellan Elementary School is in Pleasant Hills.
How long is the drive from Pleasant Hills to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 20 to 30 minutes, usually by Route 51. Traffic varies by time of day.
What is the Pleasant Hills Arboretum?
A 16-acre woodland preserve with trails and a meadow, open to visitors.
What parks are in Pleasant Hills?
Mowry Park, Pleasant Kingdom, and the Route 51 Playground, plus the Pleasant Hills Arboretum.
Is there public transit in Pleasant Hills?
Yes. Pittsburgh Regional Transit Route 51 Carrick connects the borough with Downtown Pittsburgh.
Where is the Pleasant Hills library?
The Pleasant Hills Public Library is at 302 Old Clairton Road, (412) 655-2424.
Where is the Pleasant Hills borough building?
The borough building is at 410 East Bruceton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. The phone number is (412) 655-3300.
Thinking About a Move to Pleasant Hills?
Whether you are buying in Pleasant Hills or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Pleasant Hills listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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