Exurb of the Week: Chartiers Township (Pittsburgh, Washington: school district, shop, agricultural)

[runpens1]

Chartiers is an exurban to rural township located in Washington County, in between Canonsburg/Cecil Township, the city of Washington, and borough of Houston (with which it shares a school district with). It is located about 20-25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, just west of the Meadowlands complex.

Chartiers Township was established in 1790 after the formation of Washington County in 1781, out of part of neighboring Cecil Township when the bounds of the townships were reduced in 1808. It was named after the stream that flows through the township, that was named after Peter Chartier, a local trapper of French and Shawnee parentage. The area's economy and history grew over time with its rich agricultural resources, bituminous coal industry, and location along the Chartiers Valley Railroad. Early mining towns included Arden, Meadow Lands, McGovern, Shingiss, McConnells Mill and Gretna. The population was already 2,000 by 1900 (it is a little over 8,000 today).

Over time, the township grew with the growth of suburbia, and features some post-war developments and is still adding newer modern housing developments as well. However, much of the township is still rural, open farm land. Two well-known attractions in the township include the Washington County Fairgrounds and Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Possibly, still the lack of water and sewage services in areas of the township have made it grow at a slower rate than some of the neighboring townships. However, the easy highway access to Pittsburgh (via I-79) and proximity to employment, shopping, and cultural opportunities may change the course of the township further in the near future.

[szug-bot]

interestingsly, "Chartiers" is french for Charles' Land, or close to that.

The Chartiers Creek probably has historical significance attached to it that we are largely unaware of.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

interestingsly, "Chartiers" is french for Charles' Land, or close to that.

The Chartiers Creek probably has historical significance attached to it that we are largely unaware of.

Its sister city is North Versailles.