A History of O’Hara Township

Published in 2008 and still available at O’Hara Township's municipal building, the nearly 300-page book is packed with information including over 500 photographs, maps and illustrations showing the unique qualities of the area (which also includes Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, and Sharpsburg). In addition to portraits of many personalities, there are stories about Veteran’s Hospital; Blaw-Knox Company; Allegheny County Workhouse; the Poorhouse; the Pittsburgh area’s first municipal airfield and first industrial park (RIDC); the Fox Chapel School District; plus a departed local restaurant’s secret barbecue sauce.

Tom Powers is the editor of the Lawrenceville Historical Society's (LHS) newsletter and president of the LHS since October 2014. A native of O’Hara Township, PA, Tom’s family and relations have lived in the area for over 200 years. He was the principal author and art director for the book, Portrait of an American Community: O’Hara Township, PA. His latest book, The Allegheny Arsenal Handbook, co-authored with Jim Wudarczyk is forthcoming this May.