Jeannette, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeannette, Pennsylvania
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City
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Jeannette's Business District (Clay Avenue)
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Location of Jeannette in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
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 Jeannette, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Jeannette, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Westmoreland |
| Settled | 1888 |
| Incorporated (borough) | June 7, 1889 |
| Incorporated (city) | January 1, 1938 |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.39 sq mi (6.18 km2) |
| • Land | 2.39 sq mi (6.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,780 |
| • Density | 3,676.72/sq mi (1,419.81/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Zip code |
15644
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| FIPS code | 42-37784 |
| Website | City of Jeannette |
Jeannette is a city located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It was founded in 1888. The city was named by H. Sellers McKee, one of its founders, to honor his wife, Jeannette. In July 2013, the city celebrated its 125th birthday. According to the 2010 census, about 9,654 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Jeannette Located?
Jeannette is found at coordinates 40.328773 degrees north and 79.613997 degrees west.
Jeannette's Size and Land Area
The United States Census Bureau says the city covers a total area of about 2.39 square miles (6.18 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
People Living in Jeannette
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 3,296 | — | |
| 1900 | 5,865 | 77.9% | |
| 1910 | 8,077 | 37.7% | |
| 1920 | 10,627 | 31.6% | |
| 1930 | 15,126 | 42.3% | |
| 1940 | 16,220 | 7.2% | |
| 1950 | 16,172 | −0.3% | |
| 1960 | 16,565 | 2.4% | |
| 1970 | 15,209 | −8.2% | |
| 1980 | 13,106 | −13.8% | |
| 1990 | 11,221 | −14.4% | |
| 2000 | 10,654 | −5.1% | |
| 2010 | 9,654 | −9.4% | |
| 2020 | 8,780 | −9.1% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2010, there were 9,654 people living in Jeannette. The city had 4,630 households. About 26.7% of these households had children under 18. Many different people make up the city's population.
Diversity in Jeannette
Most residents were white (77.81%), and a good number were African American (20.19%). Other groups included Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people. About 1.60% of residents were from two or more races.
Age Groups in the City
The population was spread out across different age groups. About 22.1% of the people were under 18 years old. Around 20.0% were 65 years or older. The average age in Jeannette was 40 years.
Religious Life and Freedom
In 1943, the city of Jeannette had a rule that stopped people from sharing religious materials door-to-door. Some members of the Jehovah's Witnesses disagreed with this rule. They took their case to the Supreme Court, but the court decided in favor of the city in a case called Douglas v. City of Jeannette.
Schools in Jeannette
The Jeannette City School District includes two main schools. These are McKee Elementary School and Jeannette Junior/Senior High School.
Jeannette's Interesting Past
Jeannette has a long and exciting history.
Early History and a Famous Battle
One of the oldest stories about the Jeannette area is its role in the Pontiac War in 1763. The Bushy Run Battlefield is a historic spot nearby. Here, Colonel Henry Boquet led British and American troops to victory against Native American forces. This battle happened on August 5th and 6th, 1763.
This victory was very important. It helped protect Fort Pitt and reopened important supply routes. Today, the Bushy Run Battlefield is a 200-acre (0.81 km2) historical park. It has a museum, nature trails, and picnic areas. Every year, people reenact the Battle of Bushy Run there.
The "Glass City" Nickname
Jeannette officially became a borough on June 7, 1889. It quickly earned the nickname "the glass city." This was because many glass factories were built in the area. These factories made Jeannette the first big manufacturing town in Westmoreland County.
The city's name itself comes from the glass industry. H. Sellers McKee, a local businessman, co-founded the Chambers and McKee Glass Works. He named the city after his wife, Jeannette E. Hartupee McKee. McKee and his partner, J.A. Chambers, also named Jeannette's main street, Clay Avenue, after their financial supporter, Richard W. Clay. On January 1, 1938, Jeannette became a city.
Jeannette's Glass Factories
At one time, Jeannette had as many as seven major glass factories. Famous names like Jeannette Glass, Fort Pitt Glass, and Westmoreland Glass were all here. These factories made many different glass products. They produced everything from large plate glass windows to bottles and milk glass.
Some people believe that Jeannette once made between 70% and 85% of the world's glass! However, over time, it became cheaper to make glass in other countries. Because of this, most of Jeannette's glass factories closed. Today, only two glass factories remain in the city.
Other Industries in Jeannette
Jeannette's manufacturing history isn't just about glass.
The Elliott Company
The Elliott Company has been a big part of Jeannette's industry since 1914. This company makes large machines like turbines and engines. They are known for their strong reputation in this field. In 1952, they even made the first diesel-engine turbocharger used in a racecar. Today, the Elliott Company is the largest employer in Jeannette.
In 2018, the Elliott Company was approved to buy the old Jeannette Glass site. This will allow them to expand their operations in downtown Jeannette.
Jensen Steam Engine Mfg. Co.
Another interesting company in Jeannette is Jensen Steam Engine Mfg. Co., Inc. This company makes small, working models of steam engines and turbines. Their shop is only a few blocks from the Elliott plant.
Pennsylvania Rubber Works
The Pennsylvania Rubber Works moved to Jeannette around 1903. This factory was also a very important part of the city's industry. It made many products, including play balls like basketballs and footballs. During World War II, the original Pennsylvania Rubber Works made products for Jeeps and gas masks.
Monsour Medical Center
Monsour Medical Center was a hospital that opened in Jeannette in 1958. It had 100 beds and was very modern for its time. However, the hospital later faced challenges and closed in the early 2000s.
Famous People from Jeannette
Many notable people have connections to Jeannette:
- Steve August – An NFL offensive tackle.
- Buster Clarkson – A Negro league baseball player.
- Demetrious Cox – An American football player.
- Claire Cribbs – A two-time All-American basketball player.
- Frank Fitzsimmons – A former president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
- Slide Hampton – A jazz trombonist.
- Dick Hoak – A former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and coach.
- Vaughn Monroe – A famous bandleader, singer, and actor from the 1940s–1950s.
- Marissa Moss – An author of children's books.
- Terrelle Pryor – A former high school, college, and NFL quarterback and wide receiver.
- William A. Shomo – A World War II Medal of Honor recipient.
See also
In Spanish: Jeannette (Pensilvania) para niños
