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Crucible, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Crucible, Pennsylvania, Mine Superintendent's Home, ca. 2020 (the Coode Family home since 1974)
Crucible Pennsylvania, Mine Superintendent's Home (the Coode Family Home since 1974). Built 1914
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Crucible, Pennsylvania
Crucible, Pennsylvania is located in Pennsylvania
Crucible, Pennsylvania
Crucible, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Crucible, Pennsylvania is located in the United States
Crucible, Pennsylvania
Crucible, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Greene
Township Cumberland
Area
 • Total 1.26 sq mi (3.28 km2)
 • Land 1.15 sq mi (2.98 km2)
 • Water 0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2)
Elevation
1,076 ft (328 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 673
 • Density 584.20/sq mi (225.53/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
15325
FIPS code 42-17528
GNIS feature ID 1172786

Crucible is a small community in Greene County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known as a coal town, which means it was built around a coal mine. The town's post office first opened its doors in 1914. In 2010, about 725 people lived in Crucible. Many of the homes here are family homes.

Discovering Crucible, Pennsylvania

This section explores the history, location, and daily life in Crucible. You'll learn how this community started and what it's like today.

A Look Back: Crucible's History

The town of Crucible grew because of a coal mine. This mine was run by the Crucible Coal Company. Some records say the mine started in 1910. Others say it officially opened in 1913. This was after the company bought a large area of land, about 2,000 acres.

Crucible was a typical coal town. It had special homes built by the company for its workers. There was also a company store where people could buy things. A post office served the community too. At its busiest in 1953, the mine employed 903 people. Over the years, it produced a huge amount of coal, about 36.5 million tons. The mine eventually closed in 1961.

Crucible also had its own school for many years. It was part of the Carmichaels Area School District. However, a new elementary school opened in Carmichaels in 1991-1992. After that, the Crucible school closed down. It was sometimes used for fun events like a haunted house to raise money. It also served as a training spot for the local volunteer fire department. The old school building has since been taken down.

Where is Crucible? Geography Explained

Crucible is located in the northeastern part of Greene County. It sits in the northern area of Cumberland Township. The town is on the south side of the Monongahela River.

The community starts right at the riverbank. It then goes south up a 200-foot-high river bluff. Most of the houses are located on a flat area at the top of this bluff. The town of Rices Landing is about 2 miles to the west. Carmichaels is about 4 miles to the south.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Crucible covers a total area of about 3.3 square kilometers. Most of this, about 3.0 square kilometers, is land. The remaining 0.3 square kilometers, or about 8.91%, is water.

Who Lives Here? Crucible's Population

Historical population
Census Pop.
2010 725
2020 673 −7.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

The number of people living in Crucible has changed over time. In 2010, the population was 725. By 2020, it was 673. This information comes from the official U.S. Decennial Census.

Life in Crucible Today

Crucible is a small community with a unique history. It still has some of the original charm from its coal town days.

Homes and Community

In Crucible, you can find different types of homes. There are single-story and two-story houses. Some homes are also duplexes, meaning they are two-story buildings for multiple families. Many of these homes were built around 1913. This was when the coal mine first opened. In 2010, there were 315 housing units in the area.

Some families in Crucible face economic challenges.

Community Services and Places

Today, Crucible still has a post office. There is also a playground for kids to enjoy. The community has two citizen's clubs where people can gather. The volunteer fire department in Crucible closed in April 2023.

The churches in Crucible have closed, including St. Mary's Catholic Church. However, its cemetery is still cared for. Nearby churches include Greene Valley Church of God and Hewitt Presbyterian Church. There are no stores or restaurants directly in Crucible. Residents can travel to nearby Dry Tavern or Carmichaels for groceries and pharmacies. The Crucible Citizens Club and the Slovak Club offer places for members to get food and drinks.

Famous Faces from Crucible

  • Frank Filchock: He was a well-known American and Canadian football player and coach.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Crucible para niños

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