Chartiers Township, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chartiers Township, Pennsylvania
Township
Township of Chartiers
The John White House, a historic site in the township
Map of Washington County, Pennsylvania highlighting Chartiers Township
Map of Washington County, Pennsylvania
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Washington
Government
• Type	Council
Area
• Total	24.61 sq mi (63.75 km2)
• Land	24.61 sq mi (63.75 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,632
• Estimate  (2021)	8,933
• Density	323.60/sq mi (124.94/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)	724
FIPS code	42-125-12848

Chartiers Township is a community in Washington County, Pennsylvania, USA. In 2020, about 8,632 people lived here. It teams up with Houston to form the Chartiers-Houston School District. This area is also part of the bigger Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

What is Chartiers Township Like?

Chartiers Township covers about 24.5 square miles (63.75 square kilometers) of land. It is mostly a mix of homes and farms. Many people choose to live here because of its rural feel. Some residents even keep horses on their properties.

Who Lives Here?

In 2000, there were 7,154 people living in the township. Most residents were White (95.40%). About 3.68% were African American. A small number of people were Native American, Asian, or from other backgrounds.

The average age of people living here in 2000 was 44 years old. About 20.5% of the population was under 18.

A Look Back: Chartiers Township History

Chartiers Township has a long and interesting history. It was named after Peter Chartier, who was part French and part Shawnee. He started a Shawnee community here in 1734.

How the Township Began

In 1774, Colonel James Allison was one of the first settlers in the area. His family and about twenty other families moved here that year. At first, Chartiers Creek was an important waterway. People even used it to ship flour all the way to New Orleans!

Washington County, where Chartiers Township is located, was formed during the American Revolutionary War in 1781. Chartiers Township itself was officially created in 1790. Over the years, its borders changed as new towns and townships were formed nearby.

Coal and Railroads

When coal was found in Washington County in the 1880s, it became a huge part of the township's economy. Coal was shipped down Chartiers Creek. The Chartiers Valley Railroad also played a big role. It started building lines in 1857, connecting the area to Pittsburgh. This made it easier to transport coal and farm products.

Mining became a major job, with mines in areas like Meadow Lands and Arden. The work was tough, but it offered many jobs. Early towns in the township included Arden, Meadow Lands, and McGovern.

Schools in Chartiers Township

In 1834, the township was divided into seven school districts. By 1880, there were ten schools with 369 students. The township built its own high school in the early 1940s. Later, Chartiers and Houston joined together to form the Chartiers-Houston School District. Their first graduating class was in 1956.

Important Places and Events

Chartiers Township has been home to many important historical events and sites.

The Concord Coaches and Railways

The "Concord Coaches" stagecoach line used to run through Meadow Lands, connecting Pittsburgh and Washington. Later, the Chartiers Valley Railway took its place. This railway was one of the earliest large railroad projects in the United States.

Oil and Lightning

In 1886, the Ewing Pump Station was built in Meadow Lands. It pumped huge amounts of oil every day. But on June 23, 1908, disaster struck. Lightning hit two large oil tanks. One exploded, sending burning oil down Chartiers Creek. This event destroyed plants and trees along the stream for a mile.

Washington County Fairgrounds

The Washington County Fair started in 1911 at Arden Downs in the township. The fairgrounds were chosen because they had an excellent race track, which was a big attraction. Today, the fair still draws thousands of visitors for agricultural events, rides, games, and food.

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is also located in Chartiers Township. It sits on an old trolley line that used to connect Washington to Pittsburgh. This trolley system was very important for people traveling for work, shopping, and fun.

The museum started in 1954 when a group bought a section of the abandoned railway line. It opened to the public in 1963. Today, the museum has over 30 trolley cars on display. Visitors can even take a scenic 4-mile ride on a restored trolley! The museum helps preserve the history of this important type of transportation.

The John White House

The John White House is a historic building in the township. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, recognizing its importance.

Chartiers Township Today

Chartiers Township is located about five miles north of the City of Washington and twenty-five miles southwest of Pittsburgh. It is governed by a Board of Supervisors. The Chartiers-Houston School District serves the educational needs of the community.

The township is still mostly residential and agricultural. Many new housing developments have been built, making it a "bedroom community" for people who work in nearby cities. Even with new homes, much of the township remains rural.

The Meadow Lands area is where most of the businesses are located. There are also some light industrial sites. While old mining and manufacturing jobs have decreased, new businesses have moved in, like the DBT National Headquarters. The Arden Landfill is also located here.

Chartiers Township's location and resources have attracted more development. Its closeness to major shopping areas like Trinity Point, the Meadows Racetrack and Casino, and the Tanger Outlets makes it an attractive place to live. These places offer jobs, shopping, and fun activities.