Overview & Orientation
McKees Rocks is a borough in Allegheny County on the south bank of the Ohio River, about 3 miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh, where Chartiers Creek meets the Ohio. It covers about one square mile, with Chartiers Avenue as its main street. McKees Rocks is known for the restored Roxian Theatre, the McKees Rocks Bridge, an ancient burial mound that is the largest in Pennsylvania, and the Sto-Rox School District it shares with Stowe Township.
Where McKees Rocks Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, incorporated in 1892, covering about 1.1 square miles. See Wikipedia’s McKees Rocks entry.
- ZIP code: 15136
- Neighbors: Stowe Township (north), Kennedy Township (west), the Ohio River, and the City of Pittsburgh’s West End neighborhoods across Chartiers Creek
Borough or Mailing Address?
The “McKees Rocks, PA 15136” mailing address is also used in neighboring townships. Each has its own services, taxes, and school district:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| McKees Rocks Borough | Sto-Rox |
| Stowe Township | Sto-Rox |
| Kennedy Township | Montour |
To confirm a property’s municipality and school district, check the deed, the tax bill, or Allegheny County’s online real estate records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Bellevue / North Side (across the bridge) | 10 minutes |
| Crafton / West End | 10 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 10–20 minutes |
| Robinson Town Centre area | 15 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 20–25 minutes |
A Brief History
Long before European settlement, the Adena people built a large burial mound on a bluff above the Ohio River between about 200 BC and 100 AD, and the Hopewell culture later used the site. At about 16 feet tall and 85 feet wide, it is the largest Native American burial mound in Pennsylvania. Only part of it remains today, behind a ballfield in the area known as the Bottoms. A state historical marker describes the site.
The borough is named for Alexander McKee, a trader who received a 1,300-acre land grant here in 1764 after the French and Indian War. The name appears on a deed from 1769. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, McKees Rocks grew into a busy rail and industrial town, with railroad shops in the Bottoms and plants that built steel railroad cars, locomotives, and springs. The borough was incorporated in 1892.
Notable Landmarks
- Roxian Theatre: A 1928 movie palace at 501 Chartiers Avenue, restored and reopened as a concert venue in 2019
- McKees Rocks Bridge: At 7,293 feet, the longest bridge in Allegheny County, crossing the Ohio River to the North Side
- McKees Rocks Mound: The largest Native American burial mound in Pennsylvania
- Father Ryan Arts Center: A community arts center on Chartiers Avenue
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
McKees Rocks is compact, with most homes on a grid of streets climbing the hillsides above Chartiers Avenue. Much of the housing dates from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s, built during the town’s rail and industrial years. Brick and frame single-family homes, row homes, and two-unit homes are common, and sidewalks connect most streets to the business district.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes
- Row homes and duplexes
- Small multi-unit buildings and apartments, including some above storefronts
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in McKees Rocks.
Schools
Sto-Rox School District
McKees Rocks is served by the Sto-Rox School District, formed in 1966 when the McKees Rocks and Stowe Township districts merged. The district office is at 1105 Valley Street. See the district overview for background.
- Primary Center (K–3): Sto-Rox Primary Center
- Upper Elementary (4–6): Sto-Rox Upper Elementary
- Junior/Senior High (7–12): Sto-Rox Junior/Senior High School, in Stowe Township
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Robert Morris University (Moon Township)
- CCAC Allegheny Campus (North Side)
- Duquesne University, Point Park University, and other city campuses
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
- Chartiers Avenue: The main street through the business district
- PA Route 51: Runs through the borough, south toward the West End and the South Hills
- McKees Rocks Bridge: Crosses the Ohio River to Route 65 and the North Side
- I-376 (Parkway West): A short drive south, connecting to Downtown and the airport
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) runs bus service through McKees Rocks, including along Chartiers Avenue, with connections to Downtown. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
McKees Rocks is compact, and many errands near Chartiers Avenue can be done on foot, though the hillside streets can be steep. See Walk Score for McKees Rocks, PA.
Things to Do
Roxian Theatre
Roxian Theatre
501 Chartiers Avenue. The theater opened in 1928 as a 1,200-seat movie palace, closed as a cinema in 1980, and later served as a concert club until 2003. After a major restoration, it reopened on May 10, 2019 as a live music and event venue. See Cinema Treasures for its history and Ticketmaster’s venue guide for a look inside.
Father Ryan Arts Center
This community arts center on Chartiers Avenue opened in 2008 in a renovated former furniture store, with a 130-seat auditorium, art studios, and classrooms. It offers music, theater, dance, visual arts, and writing programs for youth and adults. See the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation for the building’s story.
Shopping & Dining
Chartiers Avenue and nearby streets have bakeries, restaurants, and local shops, including long-running bread bakeries. Groceries are available in town, and larger retail is a short drive away in Robinson and on the North Side. The borough’s newcomer page lists local spots.
Library
The Sto-Rox Public Library is at 500 Chartiers Avenue, (412) 771-1222. It is part of the Allegheny County Library Association, so a card works at member libraries across the county.
Local Services & Resources
McKees Rocks Borough Building
340 Bell Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136
Phone: (412) 331-2498
Website: mckeesrockspa.us
Borough Council: Second Tuesday of the month, a combined caucus and voting meeting, in Council Chambers on the second floor.
Trash & Utilities
Waste Management collects trash on Thursdays. Water service is from West View Water, gas from Columbia Gas, and electric from Duquesne Light. Call the borough office for recycling and bulk-item details.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: McKees Rocks Police Department, in the borough building, non-emergency (412) 331-2302
- Fire: Independent Hose Co. 5 / Presston Volunteer Fire Department, founded in 1905, non-emergency (412) 331-1449
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Allegheny General Hospital (North Side), across the river
- UPMC Mercy and other Pittsburgh hospitals, about 15 to 20 minutes away
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Contact the borough’s code enforcement officer at (412) 331-2498 for building and zoning permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is McKees Rocks in?
McKees Rocks is in Allegheny County, about 3 miles west of Downtown Pittsburgh on the Ohio River.
How did McKees Rocks get its name?
It is named for Alexander McKee, a trader who received a 1,300-acre land grant here in 1764. The name appears on a deed from 1769.
What school district serves McKees Rocks?
The Sto-Rox School District, shared with Stowe Township. Homes with a McKees Rocks mailing address in Kennedy Township are in the Montour School District.
Is the Roxian Theatre open?
Yes. The 1928 theater reopened in 2019 as a live music and event venue at 501 Chartiers Avenue.
What is the McKees Rocks Mound?
An Adena burial mound built more than 2,000 years ago, the largest Native American burial mound in Pennsylvania. Part of it remains in the Bottoms area.
How long is the McKees Rocks Bridge?
About 7,293 feet, the longest bridge in Allegheny County.
When is trash collected in McKees Rocks?
On Thursdays. Waste Management is the collector.
When does McKees Rocks Borough Council meet?
On the second Tuesday of the month at the borough building, 340 Bell Avenue.
Thinking About a Move to McKees Rocks?
Whether you are buying in McKees Rocks or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including whether a specific McKees Rocks-address home is in the borough, Stowe, or Kennedy. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current McKees Rocks listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
Explore Nearby Communities
- Crafton (homes for sale)
- Carnegie (homes for sale)
- Robinson Township (homes for sale)
- Bellevue (homes for sale)
- Coraopolis (homes for sale)
Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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