Remembering Rennerdale

Remembering RennerdaleDecember 2021 to December 2022 is the Rennerdale is the 125th birthday of Rennerdale!. John Renner, a forward thinker, saw opportunities for his company, the Pennsylvania Railroad, and its employees to develop a community of railroad employees. His vision of a land association provided a path for railroads to purchase a home, raise a family, and be close to work. His was an idea design with every family having a corner lot with room for a garden, a

December 2021 to December 2022 is the Rennerdale is the 125th birthday of Rennerdale!. John Renner, a forward thinker, saw opportunities for his company, the Pennsylvania Railroad, and its employees to develop a community of railroad employees. His vision of a land association provided a path for railroads to purchase a home, raise a family, and be close to work. His was an idea design with every family having a corner lot with room for a garden, a yard for children to play, and life in the country with fresh air and no Pittsburgh smog. Many families have grabbed the opportunity and led a good life in Rennerdale.
Unfortunately, only remnants of RennerdaleÕs beginning have been found. Our purpose for writing this book was three-fold: First, to identify and record the founding of Rennerdale before its history is lost. Second, to document the current houses and residents of Rennerdale, 125-years after its inception, to preserve contemporary history. And, third, to document residentsÕ families and their experiences of living in Rennerdale as a record for future generations.
The bookÕs foundational document is the 1896 Rennerdale Plat, which co-author Doug McLaren's family passed down. This plat depicts Rennerdale as Mr. Renner, Pennsylvania Railroad Comptroller, envisioned.