Brenizer, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brenizer
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 Brenizer
Location in Pennsylvania
Brenizer
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Westmoreland |
| Elevation | 1,050 ft (320 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1170197 |
Brenizer, also known as Breinizer, is a small, unincorporated community in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for being a historic coal town, meaning it grew up around a coal mine.
History of Brenizer
Brenizer got its name from the Breniser family. A man named Peter Breniser (who lived from 1790 to 1869) is believed to have started a large 500-acre farm in this area. The old brick farmhouse, which might be as old as 1811, is still standing today.
Coal Mining Era
In 1906, a company called The Latrobe Coal Company bought the land. They started a coal mine there to dig up coal from the Pittsburgh coal seam. To house their workers, the company built houses and a company store between 1906 and 1933.
The first houses were built along Front and Poplar Streets. The original farmhouse became the home for the mine's superintendent. The company store, which later burned down in the 1970s, was located on Poplar Street.
Transporting Coal
The coal dug from the mine was sent to Gray Station in a nearby village called Hillside. From there, it was loaded onto trains of the Pennsylvania Railroad and shipped to customers. In 1920, The Westmoreland Mining Company took over the mine. They continued to operate it until it finally closed in 1952.
Images for kids
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Houses on Poplar St
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Former Brenizer farmhouse on Victory St.
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Houses on Front St., Chestnut Ridge in background
