WASHINGTON COUNTY
County Offices
100 West Beau Street
Washington 724-228-6700
www.co.washington.pa.us
Chamber of Commerce
20 East Beau Street
Washington 724-225-3010
www.washcochamber.com
Major Highways
Interstate 70, U.S. Highways 40 and 19
Established in 1781, Washington County was named for General George Washington and is steeped in early American history and culture. The county served as the focal point for one of the most famous events of early American history, the Whiskey Rebellion of 1791. Another historic feature of the region is the National Pike or Route 42, famous as the nation’s first transportation system that was built by federal funding. Known locally as the “Old National Road,” the highway today carries reminders of the past in the stone mileage markers along the roadside that date back to the construction of the pike.
Once a region where steel and glass manufacturing flourished and later waned, Washington County has managed to diversity and strengthen its economy. Newcomers will discover a land of gently rolling hills, urban development, small boroughs, and welcoming riverfront communities. The construction of Interstate 79 and the area’s close proximity to Pittsburgh has encouraged residential development, particularly in the land-rich townships that neighbor or surround small boroughs. Along with the expanding population, suburban amenities have emerged to ensure a convenient lifestyle.
Services
Area youth receive a quality education in Washington County’s public school network, although private education is available in more than 20 schools—both independent and parochial. The county is home to two respected institutions of higher education, one public and one private. The California University of Pennsylvania is part of the state university system, providing a quality undergraduate and graduate education at a cost that is much lower than the tuition for private colleges or universities. Washington & Jefferson College is known as one of the nation’s oldest and finest private liberal arts colleges, internationally recognized for its pre-law and pre-health programs.
State-of-the-art healthcare is available close to home in Washington Hospital and the regional facility of Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH). The latter employs a 180-member medical staff that represents more than 40 specialties. The hospital includes a regional cancer center, SameDay Surgery Center, Women’s Health Center, and Skilled Care Center. MVH ranks as the largest employer in the mid-Monongela Valley and one of the top three in Washington County, providing a valuable service while it generates revenue for the region.
Lifestyle
With an abundance of attractive housing choices at affordable prices, Washington County is a region where home ownership prevails. Over 75 percent of the county’s residents own their own homes, which range from charming vintage homes in the heart of town to handsome new construction set on spacious lots. Community life is a focal point of Washington County, where friends and neighbors gather to support the local football team and enthusiastic civic groups add to the quality of life. Washington County is a warm, friendly, and welcoming region where newcomers can quickly feel a sense of comfort and belonging.
The California University of Pennsylvania as well as Washington & Jefferson College influence the entire region, providing a first-rate higher education while enriching the area with performing arts events, cultural activities, guest speakers, concerts, and recreational facilities. Many of the small communities claim their own treasures, such the Little Lake Dinner Theatre overlooking Canonsburg Lake. Throughout the county, 16 golf courses and 5,000 acres of lush parkland encourage outdoor enjoyment and sports play. Amenities include a 258-acre fishing lake, hunting areas, picnic shelters, playgrounds, ballfields, bridle trails, hiking and biking trials, and boat access to the Monongahela River. Recreation and culture converge in community-sponsored arts and crafts workshops or popular celebrations like the Covered Bridge Festival.
California Borough
Borough Hall
724-938-8878
http://californiapa15419.com
Chamber of Commerce
724-938-8333
The comfortable and growing Borough of California is situated on the west bank of the Monongahela River, just above the mouth of the small stream known as Pike Run. This location places the borough about 50 miles from Pittsburgh and 23 miles from Washington City, the county seat. Residents of California enjoy a residential environment surrounded by a backdrop of the Monongahela Valley’s own natural beauty. The presence of the California University of Pennsylvania strongly influences this small community, infusing vitality into the economy while enriching the cultural and recreational opportunities. The enrollment of the university at 6,500 is actually larger than the population of California, which only enhances the appeal of the borough’s youthful and positive college-town atmosphere.
Canonsburg, Cecil (Southpointe), Chartiers, Mt. Pleasant
Municipal Offices
Canonsburg Borough
724-745-1800
www.canonsburgboro.com
Cecil Township
724-745-2227
www.ceciltownship-pa.gov
Chartiers Township
724-745-3415
www.chartierstwp.com
Mt. Pleasant Township
724-356-7974
www.mpt-pa.com
Chamber of Commerce
724-745-1812
www.canonchamber.com
The Greater Canonsburg area is situated approximately 20 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, a region steeped in tradition and history. Stagecoach roads, merchants, artisans, and innkeepers were drawn to this area as early as the 1780s. The communities with the region include the 2.3-square-mile Canonsburg Borough and a number of sprawling rural townships that average 25 square miles in area. Often called the “melting pot” of Washington County, the Greater Canonsburg area enjoys the cultural richness of diversity. Local parks provide open green space and facilities for relaxation and recreation. The Canonsburg Town Park, built in the 1930s, has continued to serve a focal point of pride and enjoyment. The main attraction is the Olympic-size pool, surrounded by a verdant hillside of trees and shrubs. Within Cecil Township is the multi-use enclave of Southpointe. Handsome townhomes and condominiums blend with thriving businesses and commercial activity. Premier recreational amenities like the ice-skating complex where the Pittsburgh Penguins hone their competitive skills also include a country club and a first-rate golf course.
North Strabane
Municipal Offices
724-745-8880
www.northstrabanetwp.com
Chamber of Commerce
724-745-1812
www.canonchamber.com
Considered as part of the Greater Canonsburg area, North Strabane Township offers scenic vistas and rolling hills as a backdrop for lovely new homes in welcoming neighborhoods. Located 30 miles south of Pittsburgh, the township remains predominantly farmland and orchards. This rural setting creates a magnet for new residents who are seeking the pristine qualities of country living within a reasonable commute from major employment centers. The township itself blends business and light industry with bucolic scenes of fresh haystacks, open fields, and grazing livestock. The decade of the ’90s saw a boom in residential construction, fueled by the addition of new shopping centers and light industrial parks. Well-kept older homes harmonize with newer construction for a pleasing variety of home prices and architectural styles.
Canton, North Franklin
Municipal Offices
Canton Township
724-225-8990
North Franklin Township
724-228-3330
http://northfranklintwp.com
Chamber of Commerce
724-225-3010
www.washcochamber.com
Providing an open-country atmosphere for residents who prefer a slower pace of life, North Franklin Township and Canton Township are considered as part of the Greater Washington Area. North Franklin is the smallest of the two townships in area, complete in only 7.3 square miles. Blending commercial progress and residential comfort, these townships look to the Washington Crown Center as the anchor of commerce and retail activity. Interstate 79 is the major artery that serves this area, providing links to other important highways. New businesses are replacing some of yesterday’s farms, orchards, and ranches, although planners and residents are committed to preserving the area’s historic roots. Just a 30-minute drive from home, residents can enjoy professional sports teams, hundreds of fine restaurants, and the exciting nightlife of Pittsburgh.
City of Washington
Municipal Offices
724-223-4200
www.washingtonpa.us
Chamber of Commerce
724-225-3010
www.washcochamber.com
Boasting historic roots as a center for fur traders, the City of Washington is conveniently located at the crossroads of Interstates 70 and 79. Just 28 miles southwest of downtown Pittsburgh, the community serves as a hub of government and commerce for the entire county. The Greater Washington area is characterized as an active, thriving, and growing region that enjoys easy access to Interstate 79. Although farms, orchards, and ranches continue to prosper in the rural townships around the city, new businesses are quickly discovering the advantages of this area. Over the past decade, the area has experienced a tremendous increase in new residential construction that was driven by an economic boom. Residents enjoy such amenities as tennis courts, an ice-skating rink, swimming pool, playgrounds, sports fields, country clubs, a golf course, and the Meadows Harness Race Track.
Peters Township
Municipal Offices
724-941-4180
www.peterstownship.com
Chamber of Commerce
724-941-6345
www.peterstownshipchamber.com
Located just 15 miles from Pittsburgh in the northeastern corner of Washington County, Peters Township offers a desirable suburban address where prime property shaded by beautiful trees combines with low taxes. This former expanse of farmland is growing a new crop of neighborhoods filled with beautiful homes on well-manicured lots. In spite of growth, the area still retains its rural charm with a quality school system and first-rate local recreational programs and facilities. Peters Township planners are especially concerned about quality growth, imposing strict zoning laws to preserve the rustic ambiance that prevails in this community where approximately half of the land is still allocated to agricultural activity.
Union Township
Municipal Offices
724-348-4250
http://uniontwp.psatstwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
724-225-3010
www.washcochamber.com
Offering room to grow in an area that is rooted in agricultural activity, Union Township is slowly transforming from rural acreage to a suburban haven with a country flavor. Commercial development dots the area, following the construction of new homes and residential expansion. Good schools and a pristine environment that offers access to Pittsburgh’s world-class amenities are drawing more interest from newcomers. As suburban sprawl and transportation efficiencies continue, outlying townships that once seemed too remote are gaining in appeal. The more highly developed Peters Township is close by, which is quickly becoming a sophisticated bedroom community for Pittsburgh commuters.
