Overview & Orientation
Harmar Township is a community of about 6.4 square miles in Allegheny County, on the north bank of the Allegheny River roughly 13 miles northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh. It includes the villages of Harmarville, Acmetonia, Harmar Heights, and Chapel Downs, and it sits at a transportation crossroads where Route 28, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Hulton Bridge to Oakmont all meet. Harmar is part of the Allegheny Valley School District and has four township parks and recreation areas.
Where Harmar Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Township, incorporated in 1875 and named for Harmar Denny. It covers about 6.4 square miles, part of it river. See Wikipedia’s Harmar Township entry.
- Mailing addresses: Most homes use “Cheswick, PA 15024,” and some near Harmarville use “Pittsburgh, PA 15238”
- Neighbors: Indiana and Frazer Townships to the north, Springdale Township and Cheswick to the east, O’Hara Township and Fox Chapel to the west, and Oakmont and Plum across the Allegheny River
Township or Mailing Address?
Harmar homes don’t have a “Harmar” mailing address. The ZIP codes they use are shared with neighboring municipalities, which have their own services, taxes, and school districts:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Harmar Township (15024 or 15238) | Allegheny Valley |
| Cheswick Borough (15024) | Allegheny Valley |
| Springdale Township (part of 15024) | Allegheny Valley |
| O’Hara and Indiana Townships (parts of 15238) | Fox Chapel Area |
To confirm a property’s municipality and school district, check the deed, the tax bill, or the Allegheny County real estate records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day, especially on Route 28.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Oakmont (via the Hulton Bridge) | 5 minutes |
| Waterworks shopping (O’Hara) | 10 minutes |
| Pittsburgh Mills (Frazer) | 10 minutes |
| Monroeville (via the Turnpike) | 15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 20–25 minutes |
A Brief History
Harmar Township was incorporated in 1875 and named for Harmar Denny, a U.S. congressman and son of Pittsburgh’s first mayor, Ebenezer Denny. The township lies entirely in the Allegheny River basin, with Deer Creek flowing through it to meet the river. Its riverside villages grew with river and rail traffic along the Allegheny, while the hills to the north stayed largely rural until the mid-1900s.
Highway building reshaped the township in the 20th century. The Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Allegheny Valley interchange and Route 28’s Exit 11, connected by PA 910 (the Yellow Belt), turned Harmarville into a regional crossroads, according to Wikipedia’s Route 28 entry. In 2015, a new four-lane Hulton Bridge with room for bicycles and pedestrians replaced the 107-year-old span to Oakmont, as reported by CBS Pittsburgh.
Notable Landmarks
- Hulton Bridge: The Allegheny River crossing between Harmar and Oakmont
- C.W. Bill Young Lock and Dam: A navigation lock and dam on the Allegheny River
- Allegheny Islands State Park: An undeveloped state park made up of three river islands
- Harmarville interchange area: Where Route 28, PA 910, and the Turnpike connect
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Harmar’s housing varies by area. The older riverside villages, such as Acmetonia and Harmarville, have early- and mid-1900s single-family homes on smaller lots. Up the hill, areas such as Harmar Heights and Chapel Downs have mid-century and later homes on larger lots with more space between houses. Townhomes and apartments are scattered through the township, and commercial and office uses line Freeport Road and the area near the interchanges.
Homes near the Allegheny River or Deer Creek should be checked on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes, from older village homes to newer homes on larger lots
- Townhomes
- Apartments
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Harmar Township.
Schools
Allegheny Valley School District
Harmar is served by the Allegheny Valley School District, which also covers Cheswick, Springdale Borough, and Springdale Township, about 9.6 square miles in all. The district office is at 300 Pearl Avenue in Cheswick. See the district overview for background.
- Elementary: Acmetonia Elementary School, 300 Pearl Avenue, Cheswick
- Upper Elementary: Colfax Upper Elementary School
- Junior-Senior High (7–12): Springdale Jr-Sr High School, 501 Butler Road, Springdale
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Chatham University Eden Hall Campus (Richland Township)
- CCAC Boyce Campus (Monroeville)
- Penn State New Kensington (Upper Burrell)
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 28: Exit 11 serves Harmarville, with Route 28 running southwest to Downtown Pittsburgh and northeast toward Tarentum and Kittanning
- Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76): The Allegheny Valley interchange connects to Route 28 by PA 910
- PA 910 (Yellow Belt): Runs west from Route 28 toward Indianola and the North Hills
- Freeport Road: The local road along the river, west toward Blawnox and east toward Cheswick
- Hulton Bridge: Crosses the Allegheny to Oakmont
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs bus service along Freeport Road and Route 28 toward Downtown. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Some streets in the older riverside villages have sidewalks, and the Hulton Bridge has room for bikes and pedestrians. Most errands are easier by car. See Walk Score for Harmarville, PA.
Things to Do
Parks & Recreation
The township lists these facilities on its Parks & Recreation page. Pavilions can be rented by Harmar residents.
Highbury Park
Off Highbury Road in Chapel Downs
A 3.2-acre park with a ball field, tennis and basketball courts, a play structure, a walking trail, restrooms, a rentable pavilion, and off-street parking.
Terrace Drive Playground
Near Wise Hill Road and Terrace Drive
About 2 acres with a climbing structure, a basketball court, a walking trail, open space, a small pavilion, restrooms, and a small parking area.
Acme Neighborhood Park
Between Herron Avenue, Grant Street, and Jefferson Avenue
A 1.6-acre park with a basketball court, a tennis court, a ball field, swings, a climbing structure, a small pavilion, and restrooms. The township has a state grant to upgrade the park, including converting the tennis court to a hockey rink.
Harmar Hurricanes Soccer Complex
Freeport Road, behind the Municipal Office Building
An 8-acre complex with three soccer fields plus a smaller field, a concession stand, restrooms, picnic tables, and an ADA-accessible walking trail.
Shopping & Dining
Freeport Road through Harmarville has shops, restaurants, and services. The Waterworks area in O’Hara Township, Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer, and Oakmont’s walkable Allegheny River Boulevard business district are all a short drive away.
Library
The nearby Springdale Free Public Library is at 331 School Street, Springdale, (724) 274-9729, and the Oakmont Carnegie Library is just across the Hulton Bridge. Allegheny County Library Association cards work at member libraries across the county.
Local Services & Resources
Harmar Township Municipal Office
701 Freeport Road, Cheswick, PA 15024
Phone: (724) 274-4550
Board of Supervisors: A five-member board. See the Board of Supervisors page and the township calendar for meeting dates and times.
Trash & Recycling
Harmar Township does not provide municipal trash or recycling service. Property owners arrange garbage pickup with a hauler of their choice. Large-item collection dates and nearby recycling events are posted on the township’s website. See the township’s waste and recycling FAQ.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Harmar Township Police Department, (724) 274-5525 for police reports
- Fire: Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Company, Station 315, 851 Parkway Drive, serving Harmar and Springdale Townships
- Ambulance: See Allegheny County’s EMS agencies by municipality
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC St. Margaret (Aspinwall)
- AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital (Natrona Heights)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Zoning permits are handled through the township’s Zoning Department, with zoning officer services provided by an outside engineering firm. Call (724) 274-4550.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Harmar Township in?
Harmar is in Allegheny County, on the Allegheny River about 13 miles northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh.
What mailing address do Harmar homes use?
Most use “Cheswick, PA 15024,” and some near Harmarville use “Pittsburgh, PA 15238.” Both ZIP codes also cover neighboring municipalities.
What school district serves Harmar?
The Allegheny Valley School District, which also serves Cheswick, Springdale Borough, and Springdale Township.
How is trash collected in Harmar?
The township does not provide trash service. Property owners hire their own hauler.
How close is Harmar to the Pennsylvania Turnpike?
Very close. The Allegheny Valley interchange is in Harmar and connects to Route 28 by PA 910.
Where is the Hulton Bridge?
It crosses the Allegheny River between Harmar and Oakmont. The current four-lane bridge opened in 2015.
What parks are in Harmar?
Highbury Park, Terrace Drive Playground, Acme Neighborhood Park, and the Harmar Hurricanes Soccer Complex.
How long is the drive from Harmar to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 20 to 25 minutes by Route 28, depending on traffic.
Thinking About a Move to Harmar?
Whether you are buying in Harmar Township or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific Cheswick or Pittsburgh address is actually in Harmar. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Harmar listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Cheswick (homes for sale)
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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