ABOuT BESSEMER

DEMOGRAPHICS

According to the 2020 census, the population of Bessemer Borough is 1,076, consisting of 486 households residing in the borough.  The racial makeup of the borough was 94.52% White, 0.56% African American, 0.37% some other race alone, and 4.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.21% of the population. In 2000 census 9.5% of population related Croatian backgrounds, the highest percentage of the population of any municipality in the United States.

HISTORY

The first European settlers came to the area known as Bessemer in the late 1790's and early 1800's. These were mainly men and women of Scots-Irish and German descent, who established several farms around a small crossroads in the northwestern corner of North Beaver Township.  

This quiet rural landscape suddenly changed in 1887, when a group of blast-furnace operators located limestone deposits on these farms. Steel manufacturers began using what was known as the “Bessemer Process” used to purify steel. This process took its name from Sir Henry Bessemer, the English inventor of both the Bessemer Process and the pear-shaped steel vat which enabled the process to occur: the “Bessemer converter.” Since these rich deposits of limestone could be used to line local converters, several quarries were opened to supply the furnaces in Youngstown. This was the beginning of the “Bessemer Limestone Company.”

To extract these minerals, immigrant laborers came from various parts Europe, such as Sweden, Austria, Finland, Croatia, and Italy. While the extraction led to the formation of the many quarry lakes that still surround the town, Bessemer Limestone company established a company town to house these workers and gave it the name “Bessemer.” In short time, housing, stores, banks, businesses, churches, schools and other establishments sprung up along what is now Poland Avenue and Main Street. The town grew rapidly as did its industrial output. By 1910, the limestone was being made into cement at the Bessemer Cement Company, as well as “Bessemer-Youngstown Brick” through two brick kilns that once dotted the town.

At this time, it became evident that the residents of this growing community would benefit from the establishment of their own political subdivision, adopting the borough form of government. In June of 1913, the Borough of Bessemer was officially established from North Beaver Township, to be led by an elected borough council and a “burgess” (now called the mayor).

Bessemer became a thriving industrial community of nearly 2,000 residents by 1930.  In addition to the cement plant and brick yards, two railroad spurs from the Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroads were established to haul materials in and out of the town.  To avoid confusion with a station outside of Pittsburgh called “Bessemer,” the station here was called “Walford Station,” and the branch line which ran from Coverts Crossing to Bessemer was called the “Walford Secondary.”  Bessemer also hosted an elementary school and a high school (which were absorbed into the Mohawk Area School District in 1958), several department stores, supermarkets, businesses and a plethora of bars and restaurants.  

But as is the tale of many Rust-Belt towns, decline would eventually visit the community. Both brick yards were closed by the mid-1960’s. Bessemer Cement nearly shuttered in the early 1980’s until it was finally purchased by Essroc by the end of the decade. However, as the plant became antiquated, operations were transferred elsewhere and the Bessemer plant ceased production in 2009.  With the decline of industry, Bessemer also saw a decline of businesses as well. 

While many of the old mainstays of the community have disappeared with the passage of time, the strong heritage and natural resources of our community remain. As a safe and affordable residential community, Bessemer exists within a short drive to shopping centers in New Castle, PA and in Boardman, Ohio.  Close to major highways, Bessemer is located within close proximity to I-76, I-680 and I-376, making easy access to Akron, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.    All of these aspects speak to the deep potential for our community.

Which is why the story of Bessemer is still being written. In recent years, we have welcomed new industrial and commercial ventures to our community. With each passing day, we are seeing a renewed investment in our town, and look forward to a bright future for this community with a rich past.