Monongahela, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Monongahela, colloquially called "Mon City," is a Third Class City in Washington County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
(Zip Code
15063) and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area
, located approximately 17 miles (27.4 km) south of the city proper. The population was 4,761 at the 2000 census. In 1940, the population of Monongahela was 9,823, in 1950, 10,387, in 1960, 12,948, in 1970, 11,726, in 1980, 8,590, and in 1990.
One of only two cities in Washington County, and the second smallest city in Pennsylvania (after Parker, Pennsylvania
), Monongahela sits at the intersection of Pennsylvania state routes 136, 88, and 837, all of which constitute the city's Main Street
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), of which, 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (9.86%) is water.
The city receives 37.65 inches (956.3 mm) of rainfall annually and has a mean annual temperature of 63 °F (17.2 °C).
of 2000, there were 4,761 people, 2,139 households, and 1,264 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,472.4 people per square mile (952.5/km²). There were 2,382 housing units at an average density of 1,237.0 per square mile (476.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.94% White, 3.26% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.42% from other races
, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.
There were 2,139 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples
living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,060, and the median income for a family was $36,528. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $23,911 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,903. About 11.1% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
of Pigeon Creek and the Monongahela River
. It is the oldest settlement in the Monongahela River Valley and most likely the oldest in Washington County. The original tract of land was actually owned by three different men, who named their land areas Eden, Paradise, and Gloucester. Joseph Parkison, who operated a ferry on the west bank of the Monongahela River, is recognized as the founder of Monongahela. Parkison built the town’s first post office, and in 1782 the town was officially recognized as Parkison’s Ferry. Adam Wickerham took claim to 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) on the Parkison Ferry tract, July 1, 1788. On this tract he laid out Georgetown in 1807. Georgetown was made part of Williamsport by him on Feb. 23, 1816. In 1833 the first borough officers were elected for Williamsport. On April 1, 1837 Wiliamsport was given the name Monongahela City and in 1893 shortened to Monongahela.
The word Monongahela is Native American
in origin, meaning “falling banks”. The Monongahela tribe
was also indigenous to the area prior to the settlement of the city.
Whiskey Point, a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River located within the city, was an important meeting place during the Whiskey Rebellion
. The Pennsylvania State Historical Marker located here reads: "The bluff at Main St. and Park Ave. was the site on Aug. 14, 1794, of a meeting of 226 whiskey rebels. Albert Gallatin
's eloquence turned the tide, resulting in peaceful ending of the Whiskey Rebellion and the possibility of civil strife."
Many buildings in Monongahela, such as the Longwell House and the Bethel A.M.E Church, were used by freed slaves as stops on the Underground Railroad
.
There are twenty churches representing fifteen denominations located in Monongahela.
Quarterback Joe Montana
.
Other notable residents include Carl E. Vuono
, four star general and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army; Jim Jimirro, founder of the Disney Channel; Fred Cox, all-time leading scorer for the Minnesota Vikings and inventor of the Nerf ball;and Dr. Ronald V. Pellegrini, a world renowned cardiothoracic surgeon based in Pittsburgh.
A documentary about Park Avenue, titled “One Extraordinary Street” was released in 2008, produced by Laura M. Magone.
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(Zip Code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
15063) and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area
Pittsburgh Metro Area
The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area surrounding the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is renowned for its industries including steel, glass and oil; moreover, its economy also thrives on healthcare, education, technology, robotics, financial services and more recently film...
, located approximately 17 miles (27.4 km) south of the city proper. The population was 4,761 at the 2000 census. In 1940, the population of Monongahela was 9,823, in 1950, 10,387, in 1960, 12,948, in 1970, 11,726, in 1980, 8,590, and in 1990.
One of only two cities in Washington County, and the second smallest city in Pennsylvania (after Parker, Pennsylvania
Parker, Pennsylvania
Parker is a city located in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the extreme northwestern portion of the county. The population was 799 at the 2000 census. The city was named for John Parker, a lead surveyor of Lawrenceburg....
), Monongahela sits at the intersection of Pennsylvania state routes 136, 88, and 837, all of which constitute the city's Main Street
Main Street
Main Street is the metonym for a generic street name of the primary retail street of a village, town, or small city in many parts of the world...
.
Geography & climate
Monongahela is located at 40°12′2"N 79°55′42"W (40.200462, -79.928394).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), of which, 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (9.86%) is water.
The city receives 37.65 inches (956.3 mm) of rainfall annually and has a mean annual temperature of 63 °F (17.2 °C).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,761 people, 2,139 households, and 1,264 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,472.4 people per square mile (952.5/km²). There were 2,382 housing units at an average density of 1,237.0 per square mile (476.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.94% White, 3.26% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.42% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.
There were 2,139 households out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,060, and the median income for a family was $36,528. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $23,911 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,903. About 11.1% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
History
What is now the City of Monongahela was founded in 1769 on a tract of land near the confluenceConfluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of Pigeon Creek and the Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
. It is the oldest settlement in the Monongahela River Valley and most likely the oldest in Washington County. The original tract of land was actually owned by three different men, who named their land areas Eden, Paradise, and Gloucester. Joseph Parkison, who operated a ferry on the west bank of the Monongahela River, is recognized as the founder of Monongahela. Parkison built the town’s first post office, and in 1782 the town was officially recognized as Parkison’s Ferry. Adam Wickerham took claim to 130 acre (0.5260918 km²) on the Parkison Ferry tract, July 1, 1788. On this tract he laid out Georgetown in 1807. Georgetown was made part of Williamsport by him on Feb. 23, 1816. In 1833 the first borough officers were elected for Williamsport. On April 1, 1837 Wiliamsport was given the name Monongahela City and in 1893 shortened to Monongahela.
The word Monongahela is Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
in origin, meaning “falling banks”. The Monongahela tribe
Monongahela tribe
The Monongahela culture were a Native American cultural manifestation of Late Woodland peoples in present-day western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Virginia from AD 1050 to 1635...
was also indigenous to the area prior to the settlement of the city.
Places of interest
Monongahela is home to many parks, playgrounds and museums. Chess Park, located near the center of the city, hosts community events throughout the year. The Mounds Park, built on the site of an ancient Indian Burial Ground, is a local playground and sports complex. On the banks of the Monongahela River is the Aquatorium, a waterfront venue that hosts the annual Fourth of July celebration. The Historical Society Museum and Monongahela River Museum are also located within the city.Whiskey Point, a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River located within the city, was an important meeting place during the Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion, or Whiskey Insurrection, was a tax protest in the United States in the 1790s, during the presidency of George Washington. Farmers who sold their corn in the form of whiskey had to pay a new tax which they strongly resented...
. The Pennsylvania State Historical Marker located here reads: "The bluff at Main St. and Park Ave. was the site on Aug. 14, 1794, of a meeting of 226 whiskey rebels. Albert Gallatin
Albert Gallatin
Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was a Swiss-American ethnologist, linguist, politician, diplomat, congressman, and the longest-serving United States Secretary of the Treasury. In 1831, he founded the University of the City of New York...
's eloquence turned the tide, resulting in peaceful ending of the Whiskey Rebellion and the possibility of civil strife."
Many buildings in Monongahela, such as the Longwell House and the Bethel A.M.E Church, were used by freed slaves as stops on the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
.
There are twenty churches representing fifteen denominations located in Monongahela.
Park Avenue
Park Avenue, a two mile (3 km) stretch of road in Monongahela, has fostered a remarkable amount of notable people, most famous among them NFL Hall of FameHall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
Quarterback Joe Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
.
Other notable residents include Carl E. Vuono
Carl E. Vuono
Carl Edward Vuono is a retired United States Army General who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1987 to 1991.-Early life and career:...
, four star general and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army; Jim Jimirro, founder of the Disney Channel; Fred Cox, all-time leading scorer for the Minnesota Vikings and inventor of the Nerf ball;and Dr. Ronald V. Pellegrini, a world renowned cardiothoracic surgeon based in Pittsburgh.
A documentary about Park Avenue, titled “One Extraordinary Street” was released in 2008, produced by Laura M. Magone.
Notable people
- Edward Goodrich AchesonEdward Goodrich AchesonEdward Goodrich Acheson was an American chemist. Born in Washington, Pennsylvania, he was the inventor of carborundum, and later a manufacturer of carborundum and graphite. Thomas Edison put him to work on September 12, 1880 at his Menlo Park, New Jersey laboratory under John Kruesi...
, American chemist, inventor of Carborundum - Mitch DanielsMitch DanielsMitchell Elias "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. is the 49th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana. A Republican, he began his first four-year term as governor on January 10, 2005, and was elected to his second term by an 18-point margin on November 4, 2008. Previously, he was the Director of the...
, Governor of Indiana and former Director of the Office of Management and Budget (2001–2003) - John Taylor GattoJohn Taylor GattoJohn Taylor Gatto is a retired American school teacher with nearly 30 years experience in the classroom, and author of several books on education...
, New York State 1991 teacher of the year and education reformer - Anthony PetersonAnthony Peterson (American football)Anthony Wayne Peterson is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears ....
, former NFL linebacker - Charles D. ProvanCharles D. ProvanCharles D. Provan was a Christian theologian, one-time Holocaust denier, and author based in Monongahela, Pennsylvania who later in life rejected Holocaust denial after his investigations led him to conclude that eyewitness accounts of the Holocaust were believable...
, Christian theologian and author - Scott ZolakScott ZolakScott David Zolak is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for nine seasons...
, former NFL quarterback