This place was incorporated by act of assembly February 13, 1868, from a part of Shaler township and that part of the borough of Duquesne not included in the limits of Allegheny City by the act of consolidation of March 12, 1867. The latter was created by act of the legislature from Reserve township, April 5, 1849.

The site of the town was originally owned by John Sample. September 23, 1844, he sold one hundred and sixty-four acres twenty-eight perches of land to the poor-directors of Allegheny City, by whom it was converted into a farm for the care of the poor of the city. The necessity of providing accommodations for the increasing class of persons intended to be benefited influenced the directors to secure a location farther distant from the city, for which legislative sanction was secured in 1867. The farm was accordingly laid out into streets and lots, the first sale of which occurred September 4, 1867. The amount realized in this way has been about three hundred thousand dollars, the fact that the investment was judicious being sufficiently indicated by reference to the price paid, which was a trifle less than twelve thousand dollars. The population in 1870 was 668; in 1880, 1,824.

The Millvale Rolling-mills, Graff, Bennett & Co., proprietors, were erected in 1863, burned December 11, 1881, rebuilt in 1882, and enlarged in 1887. As reported to the American Iron and Steel Directory for 1886, the plant comprises ten Danks rotary puddling-furnaces, one double, one double-double and twenty-one single puddling-furnaces, eight trains of rolls and one hammer, the product consisting of bars, sheets, plates and nails, to the amount of thirty-five thousand net tons annually. These works employ the larger part of the working people of Millvale, and form the basis of its prosperity.

The Bennett Star, W. S. Scott and G. R. Dorman, editors and proprietors, has entered upon its fifth volume. It is a six-column quarto, published weekly. The town enjoys railroad facilities by the Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh & Western and Evergreen railways; it is known as a station under the name of Bennett, which is also the postoffice designation.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in August, 1869. Rev. W. H. Knipe and W. R. Moore served as supplies until 1872. Pastors: McNary, Forsythe, J. M. Shields, A. D. Light. St. Anne’s Roman Catholic church originated in the labors of Father Gibbs. The cornerstone was laid September 24, 1874, and the dedication occurred May 2, 1875.

St. Aubray’s (German) Catholic church was dedicated November 6, 1887, Bishop Phelan presiding. The German school was opened in 1876.