Brianne's Guidebook

Brianne
Brianne's Guidebook

City/town information

Vandergrift is a borough in Westmoreland County along the Kiskiminetas River, approximately 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1895, Vandergrift was the first successful planned industrial town designed to be sold to its workers. Pittsburgh steelmaker George McMurtry hired Frederick Law Olmsted's landscape architectural firm in 1895 to design Vandergrift as a model town. Vandergrift is a town with gently curving streets that follow the natural slope of the hills. Everything was made ready in advance: The steel mill was built. The streets were graded, utilities were installed (including water, natural gas, electric lines, and sewer lines). Streets and sidewalks were paved, trees were planted, and street lights were erected. Then, when everything was in readiness, the building lots were offered for sale to the workers so that they could build their own homes. In 1895, this was a unique idea in America—that a company would build a town entirely in advance and then turn over its control to the workers. The town's success came swiftly. Soon the mill became the world's largest rolling mill, hundreds of private homes were built, the population swelled to 11,000, and a delegation from the British Parliament came to study its success. In 1904, when a model of the town was displayed at the St. Louis World's Fair, the town's design won two gold medals. In 1915, Vandergrift merged... with Vandergrift Heights, and in 1957, West Vandergrift was annexed. In 1988, the steel mill was purchased by Allegheny Ludlum Corporation, specialty steel makers, and is a "state of the art" mill today. Nearly a century after its founding, the town remains eighty to ninety percent intact, its Queen Ann & Victorian homes are architectural treasures ideal for restoration, its awareness of its unique heritage growing, and its outlook for the second century optimistic. The town is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Vandergrift
Vandergrift is a borough in Westmoreland County along the Kiskiminetas River, approximately 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1895, Vandergrift was the first successful planned industrial town designed to be sold to its workers. Pittsburgh steelmaker George McMurtry hired Frederick Law Olmsted's landscape architectural firm in 1895 to design Vandergrift as a model town. Vandergrift is a town with gently curving streets that follow the natural slope of the hills. Everything was made ready in advance: The steel mill was built. The streets were graded, utilities were installed (including water, natural gas, electric lines, and sewer lines). Streets and sidewalks were paved, trees were planted, and street lights were erected. Then, when everything was in readiness, the building lots were offered for sale to the workers so that they could build their own homes. In 1895, this was a unique idea in America—that a company would build a town entirely in advance and then turn over its control to the workers. The town's success came swiftly. Soon the mill became the world's largest rolling mill, hundreds of private homes were built, the population swelled to 11,000, and a delegation from the British Parliament came to study its success. In 1904, when a model of the town was displayed at the St. Louis World's Fair, the town's design won two gold medals. In 1915, Vandergrift merged... with Vandergrift Heights, and in 1957, West Vandergrift was annexed. In 1988, the steel mill was purchased by Allegheny Ludlum Corporation, specialty steel makers, and is a "state of the art" mill today. Nearly a century after its founding, the town remains eighty to ninety percent intact, its Queen Ann & Victorian homes are architectural treasures ideal for restoration, its awareness of its unique heritage growing, and its outlook for the second century optimistic. The town is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Food scene

Ianni's chose this location for its 3rd restaurant due to the historical architecture of the curved 2 story masonry building. The pizzas are very delicious and each one is prepared in an authentic imported Italian stone oven.
Ianni's of Vandergrift
133 Grant Avenue
Ianni's chose this location for its 3rd restaurant due to the historical architecture of the curved 2 story masonry building. The pizzas are very delicious and each one is prepared in an authentic imported Italian stone oven.
The first micro brewery of its kinds in Vandergrift, just recently opened up amidst a global pandemic. This hasn't seemed to thwart the efforts of the owners to provide quality original recipe on-site brewed beer. Stop in and fill up a growler. When you are there, mention that Brianne sent you.
Allusion Brewing Company
143 Grant Ave
The first micro brewery of its kinds in Vandergrift, just recently opened up amidst a global pandemic. This hasn't seemed to thwart the efforts of the owners to provide quality original recipe on-site brewed beer. Stop in and fill up a growler. When you are there, mention that Brianne sent you.
Welcome to this 3rd generation owned and operated diner with very generously portioned down home cooking. If you are lucky to be visiting on a weekend, there is always a unique pancake special such as snickerdoodle, gingerbread, pumpkin, bananas foster, etc. The owner still creates and bakes cakes, pies and cinnamon buns so be sure to check out the dessert case when you are there. Mention Brianne sent you.
G & G Restaurant
149 Columbia Ave
Welcome to this 3rd generation owned and operated diner with very generously portioned down home cooking. If you are lucky to be visiting on a weekend, there is always a unique pancake special such as snickerdoodle, gingerbread, pumpkin, bananas foster, etc. The owner still creates and bakes cakes, pies and cinnamon buns so be sure to check out the dessert case when you are there. Mention Brianne sent you.
If you want that atmosphere where "everybody knows your name" go check out this local bar and restaurant. You will often find Joanne, the owner, behind the bar serving up drinks and treating everyone like they are family. Portions are generous and the variety ranges from wings and burgers to salmon and pork chops. If you find yourself visiting, mention Brianne sent you.
A J's Restaurant & Lounge
123 Washington Avenue
If you want that atmosphere where "everybody knows your name" go check out this local bar and restaurant. You will often find Joanne, the owner, behind the bar serving up drinks and treating everyone like they are family. Portions are generous and the variety ranges from wings and burgers to salmon and pork chops. If you find yourself visiting, mention Brianne sent you.
Not only is the wine and beer good, but the atmosphere is uniquely beautiful. This is the 2nd location for the owners of this local winery and they used a beautiful stone church to do it in. Stop by for some great wine, appetizers and be sure to bring home a bottle to share.
Wooden Door Winery (Vandergrift)
101 Custer Ave
Not only is the wine and beer good, but the atmosphere is uniquely beautiful. This is the 2nd location for the owners of this local winery and they used a beautiful stone church to do it in. Stop by for some great wine, appetizers and be sure to bring home a bottle to share.