Natrona Heights is an unincorporated community in Harrison Township, Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is located in Western Pennsylvania within the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area, approximately northeast of Pittsburgh. Natrona Heights is situated near the Allegheny River, Natrona, Brackenridge, and Tarentum.
Museums and other points of interest
Natrona Heights is home to both the Pittsburgh-Tarentum Campmeeting Association, a Methodist-based camp over 160 years old, and to the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center. The town's first structure, the Burtner House, still stands and is open for festivals several times a year. The Community Library of Allegheny Valley, Harrison Branch also serves Natrona Heights.
Education
The community is within the Highlands School District. Highlands High School and Highlands Middle School are in Natrona Heights. Private schools include Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and Saint Joseph High School.
Usage in popular culture
Knightriders
The film Knightriders (1981) by George A. Romero starring Ed Harris used scenes shot on Pennsylvania Avenue and in a restaurant on Freeport Road in Natrona Heights, as well as several scenes in neighboring Natrona for the movie. Most of the film was shot in nearby Fawn Township.
Promised Land
During interviews for the film Promised Land (2012) which was shot in Western Pennsylvania, star John Krasinski revealed that his father Ronald had grown up in the Natrona Heights area.
Notable people
Greg Christy, former NFL offensive lineman
Jeff Christy, former NFL offensive lineman
John Filo, Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist
Cookie Gilchrist, former AFL and NFL running back
Larry J. Kulick, bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg
Robert W. Olszewski, painter and miniatures artist
Ed Sikov, American film scholar and author
Tom Young, basketball coach