West Mifflin is a borough of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and is part of the Pittsburgh metro area.

It is known as the home of the Kennywood theme park as well as a nuclear propulsion research facility. However, most of the borough is very residential.

West Mifflin is located roughly half an hour away from downtown Pittsburgh. There aren’t any Interstate highways in West Mifflin, so commuters need to use local roads to get into the city. The borough has an area of 14.5 square miles and sits directly to the west of the Monongahela River. It also borders several outer Pittsburgh neighborhoods to the north and west. 

The topography of West Mifflin is very hilly, and many sections of the borough are wooded. However, the landscape of West Mifflin has changed dramatically over the years as a result of industry in the area. During the height of Pittsburgh’s steel industry, many mills dumped their by-products in the area. Coal mining in the surrounding areas also affected the environment of West Mifflin. 

The Environmental Protection Agency has been monitoring West Mifflin for many years to ensure that waste facilities are following proper regulations to preserve the area and maintain livable conditions.

West Mifflin experiences all four seasons. The weather is generally warm in the summer with occasional rain storms, with much colder, snowier winters. The area also has distinct spring and fall seasons.

The borough of West Mifflin was named after Thomas Mifflin, who was the first governor of Pennsylvania. The area was originally called Mifflin Township and its boundaries were much larger. Some parts of Mifflin Township eventually split off and became their own towns. Another town had initially used the name Mifflin as well, which led to the borough changing its name.

The Pittsburgh area was home to various Native American tribes for thousands of years before European settlers made their way to the area. There is evidence that people lived this area as far back as 19,000 years ago. European traders made their way to the area in the early 18th century.

The area’s intersection of rivers made it an ideal place to settle, and they set up several trading posts in the area. For many years, there was conflict between French and English settlers. English troops initially built a fort where downtown Pittsburgh is now.

However, the French eventually took it over and built their own fort. Conflict continued for decades until the English recaptured it and named it Fort Pitt. As the United States expanded, residents made their way west. Fort Pitt eventually became the town of Pittsburgh.

Over the years, Pittsburgh became a center for manufacturing and industry. It attracted a large number of German immigrants as well as immigrants from other parts of Europe. The area eventually became an important center for steel manufacturing.

After the steel industry declined, the broader Pittsburgh area struggled and declined in population. This population decline happened in West Mifflin as well. Since then, the Pittsburgh area has diversified its economy, and the population has stabled out.

West Mifflin is best known as the home of the Kennywood amusement park. The park first opened in 1899 at the end of the Monongahela Street Railway, which connected to Pittsburgh. Kennywood gave Pittsburgh residents an easy way to get out of the city and have fun on the weekends.

Today, it is designated as a National Historic Place and is one of very few parks from this area that are still in operation. Kennywood has a variety of attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, live shows, and play areas for kids.

Because the terrain is West Mifflin is so hilly, its roller coasters are very unique and rely heavily on the area’s topography. Two roller coasters from the 1920s are still in operation, although there are several modern roller coasters as well.

One of the most notable employers in West Mifflin is the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory. This is a research facility that is owned by the U.S. government. They develop nuclear power technology for the U.S. Navy and work with the Department of Energy.

Allegheny County Airport is located in West Mifflin, offering general aviation services. Near the airport, there are several large shopping centers, which include big box stores, grocery stores, and chain restaurants. Additionally, there are several chain hotels in the area, which accommodate travelers visiting Kennywood and other Pittsburgh attractions nearby.

Because West Mifflin is relatively spread out, most residents have cars. The Pittsburgh public transit system does run buses to Kennywood as well as to Allegheny County Airport and nearby shopping centers, but buses do not run through all of West Mifflin. The Metro Silver Line does have stops to the east of West Mifflin.

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