Exurb of the Week: Monongahela (Pittsburgh, Williamsport: fit in, home, school district)

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Monongahela is a smaller city (1.91 sq. mil.) located in eastern Washington County, along the river of its namesake. It has a population of just over 4,000, making it the second smallest incorporated city in Pennsylvania, only after Parker (in northwestern Armstrong County along the Allegheny River). It is located about 25 miles southeast of downtown Pittsburgh and just across the Allegheny County line from Forward/Elizabeth area. It is served by the Ringgold School District.

What is now the city of Monongahela was founded in 1769 on a tract of land near the confluence of Pigeon Creek and the Monongahela River. It is the oldest settlement in the Monongahela River Valley and most likely the oldest in Washington County. The original tract of land was actually owned by three different men, who named their land areas Eden, Paradise, and Gloucester. Joseph Parkison, who operated a ferry on the west bank of the Monongahela River, is recognized as the founder of Monongahela. Parkison built the town's first post office, and in 1782 the town was officially recognized as Parkison's Ferry. Adam Wickerham took claim to 130 acres (0.53 km2) on the Parkison Ferry tract, July 1, 1788. On this tract he laid out Georgetown in 1807. Georgetown was made part of Williamsport by him on February 23, 1816. In 1833 the first borough officers were elected for Williamsport. On April 1, 1837 Williamsport was given the name Monongahela City and in 1893 shortened to Monongahela, after the tribe that was also indigenous to the area prior to the settlement of the city. By the turn of the 19th Century, like much of the Mon Valley, the city had become a very important point in river trade and industry, with many manufacturing plants and companies located there. That brought its growth up for its population to peak at just shy of 9,000 in the 1950 Census.

Today, Monongahela remains one of the more stable towns/cities in the Mon Valley region of the metro. Although, like much of the general area, it has experienced its share of decline due to aging population and loss of jobs, its main street at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 88, 136, and 837, still has many active businesses located along it. The city is also home to several places of interest for it and the surrounding areas, including Chess Park, which is located near the center of the city, hosts community events throughout the year. The city is also well-known for its Aquatorium, a waterfront venue that hosts the annual Fourth of July celebration and an annual summer concert series. While Monongahela may still be too far removed from the city center and abundance of good paying jobs to see real growth in the future, the city will most likely benefit in the future due to its decent school district, tourism, and sense of community to still be a great older, historic small town to call home for years to come.