monroevillehistorical.org

The Walko House in 2006

The Walko House in the 1950s

Walko House, 1951
554 Haymaker Road

 This distinctive house was built in the early 1950s by Michael (Mickey) and Eileen Walko on land that was surrounded by cow pastures, in what was then rural Monroeville.

It was while stationed in California, during a stint in the Marine Corps, that Mickey became fascinated with the modern homes he saw in the west.  Coming back east, he decided to build his dream home in the  Moderne style which featured clean lines, plate glass windows, glass blocks and sweeping brick walls.  Pittsburgh Architect Thomas Gabrielle, who had also worked on the Allegheny County Airport, designed the house, while much of the construction was done by the Walkos themselves.  In time, a wing was added to the south side to be used to house the family’s dance studio.

            The house sat for many years on its prominent site at the corner of Haymaker and McGinley Roads, and remained in the Walko family until it was finally sold to a developer, in May 2005.  As of this writing (May 2006), the house is slated to be torn down to make way for a several townhouses.