Freedom

Freedom, a quaint town with an interesting story in a unique setting, is an appealing destination for several reasons. “It’s a great small community with good schools and affordable homes that offer both convenience and privacy,” says Shanna Funwela, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty based in nearby Moon Township.

Located along the Ohio River in Beaver County about 25 miles north of Pittsburgh, Freedom was founded as a steamboat-building town. Vestiges of its industrial past remain, as the town is home to the Norfolk Southern Conway Yard. Built along the river in 1884, it was once the largest freight yard in the world, from 1956 to 1980. The yard is still operational, and its freight trains are a signifying local landmark. Another landmark, the Capt. William Vicary House, is a highlight of the town’s historic architecture. The fortified Colonial Revival-style mansion built in 1826 overlooks the river and operates as a historic house museum. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 for its architectural significance.

A collection of multi-level established homes is prominent, tucked along the neighborhood’s steep streets. Porches and, depending on which side of the street you live on, concrete stairways leading up to them are common features. Renovated bungalow-style homes stand out. Several American Foursquares offer two-and-a-half stories. More contemporary architecture can be found in the form of select larger homes built in the 1970s on oversized lots. “There’s a really good mix. You have homes with very small yards and on-street parking -- the older homes that were the original construction in town. But you also have more remote settings where the houses are larger and usually offer at least an acre,” says Funwela. Many of the homes feature spectacular views of the surrounding countryside amid the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania. Others offer views overlooking the river. Freedom isn’t free, but it is affordable, as home prices typically range from under $100,000 to the mid-$200,000s.

Students in Freedom have access to four schools in and adjacent to the town. Freedom Area Elementary is a K-4 school in town with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. Within walking distance are Freedom Area Middle, which serves fifth- through eighth-graders, and Freedom Area High School, both of which have a 13-to-1 ratio. Ambridge Area Junior High School, serving sixth- through eighth-graders, also is located in Freedom.

Freedom Memorial Park is a residential green space where visitors can relax alongside the memorial in a shady setting across from the train yard. A few blocks away, residents can fish along the banks of the river. Further downriver, residents have access to a playground a basketball court. Neighboring communities Rochester to the north and Conway to the south offer athletic fields for organized youth competition

Fox’s Pizza Den is the only eatery in town, but several other dining options are available in neighboring Rochester. Among them is 1942 Tacos & Tequila, a highly rated restaurant that serves up authentic Mexican favorites, and Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe, an established family run chain. “There are a lot of small businesses that have been around for years, a lot of mom-and-pop-type stores,” says Funwela. That includes several neighborhood markets, many of which are concentrated in Monaca just across the river. A small retail center in Rochester is anchored by a Big Lots. Big-box retailer/grocers such as Walmart and Target can be found a short drive west of Monaca in Center Township.

Pennsylvania Route 65, also known as Ohio River Boulevard, runs along Freedom's west side. Bus stops dot the thoroughfare, providing easy access to the more populous municipalities to the north and west. Taken south, Route 65 leads directly into downtown Pittsburgh, which can be reached by car in about 40 minutes.

Written By

Matt Pallister

Photography Contributed By

Danny Lambert

Video By

Victoria Sharpe