Johnston Elementary (now Community Forge)

Johnston School was built in 1906 at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Ardmore Boulevard. It was built on land donated by the grandsons of General John Johnston who had a large farm in the area. In 1920 the building was destroyed by fire, leaving only the foundation and first floor. In 1922 the school was rebuilt, adding two new stories to the old first floor. In the 1930s aerial photo the old soot-discolored brick can be seen, topped with two floors of the newer, cleaner light brick.

The school served the Wilkinsburg community until 2012 when declining enrollment caused school closure. It has now been repurposed as Community Forge which leases the classrooms to various small businesses. It also is the venue for special community events.

Community Forge was and is a boon to the Wilkinsburg Community handing out free meals to Wilkinsburg residents. This has been especially needed and welcomed during the COVID-19 pandemic.