Shaler Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Shaler Township is a township
in Allegheny County
, Pennsylvania
, USA
. It primarily consists of the community of Glenshaw. The population was 28,757 at the 2010 census.
, who came in the early 1740s. By 1754, settlement included the Pine Creek trading post, where Europeans traded fur and skins with the Mingo
and other Native Americans
in the Ohio Valley. The second early European settlement was Girty's Run, established by Simon Girty
.
The village of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania—at the center of what became Shaler Township—was established in the early 19th century, beginning with a log sawmill built by John Shaw, Sr. after he bought 600 acres (2.4 km²) of land north of Pittsburgh in 1800. The area became known as "Shaw's Glen", and later Glenshaw. Members of the Shaw family subsequently built a log gristmill
, a sickle factory, and a coal mine.
On March 20, 1845, a petition to form a new township from portions of Ross
and Indiana townships was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions. Col. James A. Gibson, Alexander V. Brackenridge and John Murray were appointed as viewers. They reported in favor on June 10 of the same year, although it was two years later on March 20, 1847 that the court decree establishing the township was issued, in the name of Marion. This was changed on the same day to Shaler, after Charles Shaler, a prominent mid-19th century Pittsburgh area judge
and president of the local 5th District Court. The township is not named for the numerous deposits of shale rock
found within its borders; this is instead a common misconception.
At the time of establishment, Shaler Township encompassed all of its current holdings plus the boroughs of Etna
, Millvale
, and a large tract of Ross Township
. By 1868, Shaler lost much of its land to the new boroughs, and was relegated to second-class township status. In 1900, Shaler was re-incorporated as a first-class township. The township's boundaries
remain basically the same today as they were in 1900.
Early settlement of the Shaler area was sporadic, with small farming and mercantile villages appearing. These mainly developed in the valleys next to Pine Creek
and Girtys Run
. At the time of its incorporation, Shaler Township had a population of 2,000; by 1860 it had grown to 16,399. In the late 19th century, the creation of the Glenshaw Glass plant sped up settlement to a certain degree, drawing workers to settle in the vicinity.
From 1907 until 1931 the interurban
Pittsburgh and Butler Street Railway
passed through the township, linking it with Pittsburgh and Butler, Pennsylvania
.
Following the Second World War
Shaler became an affluent suburb with many former City of Pittsburgh
residents now populating the Township. Shaler, along with Ross Township, was among the first outer-city areas to develop into the modern suburbs
which today define the North Hills region
of Allegheny County
. Home building and development during this time period was extensive. Shaler remained and still remains a primarily residential municipality
, and it was during this period which the Township came to acquire the attributes it still holds today.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the township has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29.0 km²), of which, 11.0 square miles (28.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (1.70%) is water.
: the valleys of Pine Creek
and Little Pine Creek converge in the Pittsburgh borough of Etna
, while the valley of Girtys Run
goes from Shaler into the borough of Millvale
.
on the map, are Hampton Township
, Indiana Township
, O'Hara Township, Sharpsburg
, Etna
, Pittsburgh
, Millvale
, Reserve Township
, and Ross Township
. Although Shaler does not share a border with McCandless Township it is opposed diagonally to Shaler in the northwest.
of 2000, there were 29,757 people, 11,932 households, and 8,686 families residing in the township.
There were 11,932 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples
living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $49,118, and the median income for a family was $56,998. Males have a median income of $40,991 versus $29,473 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $23,223. About 3.0% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
Township (Pennsylvania)
A township in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a state of the United States of America, is one of four types of municipalities in the state . Townships were established based on convenient geographical boundaries and vary in size from six to forty square miles...
in Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
, 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...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It primarily consists of the community of Glenshaw. The population was 28,757 at the 2010 census.
History
Traders began settling in the Shaler area in the mid-18th century. The most prominent early trader in the area was George CroghanGeorge Croghan
George Croghan was an Irish-born Pennsylvania fur trader, Onondaga Council sachem, land speculator, British Indian agent in colonial America and, until accused of treason in 1777, Pittsburgh's president judge and Committee of Safety Chairman keeping the Ohio Indians neutral...
, who came in the early 1740s. By 1754, settlement included the Pine Creek trading post, where Europeans traded fur and skins with the Mingo
Mingo
The Mingo are an Iroquoian group of Native Americans made up of peoples who migrated west to the Ohio Country in the mid-eighteenth century. Anglo-Americans called these migrants mingos, a corruption of mingwe, an Eastern Algonquian name for Iroquoian-language groups in general. Mingos have also...
and other Native Americans
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 the Ohio Valley. The second early European settlement was Girty's Run, established by Simon Girty
Simon Girty
Simon Girty was an American colonial of Scots-Irish ancestry who served as a liaison between the British and their Native American allies during the American Revolution...
.
The village of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania—at the center of what became Shaler Township—was established in the early 19th century, beginning with a log sawmill built by John Shaw, Sr. after he bought 600 acres (2.4 km²) of land north of Pittsburgh in 1800. The area became known as "Shaw's Glen", and later Glenshaw. Members of the Shaw family subsequently built a log gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
, a sickle factory, and a coal mine.
On March 20, 1845, a petition to form a new township from portions of Ross
Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Ross Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 31,105 at the 2010 census. In September 2007, Ross Township adopted the Strong Mayor/Weak Council form of government allowed by Pennsylvania statutes for townships of its class.The township is part of...
and Indiana townships was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions. Col. James A. Gibson, Alexander V. Brackenridge and John Murray were appointed as viewers. They reported in favor on June 10 of the same year, although it was two years later on March 20, 1847 that the court decree establishing the township was issued, in the name of Marion. This was changed on the same day to Shaler, after Charles Shaler, a prominent mid-19th century Pittsburgh area judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
and president of the local 5th District Court. The township is not named for the numerous deposits of shale rock
Shale
Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock composed of mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals and tiny fragments of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. The ratio of clay to other minerals is variable. Shale is characterized by breaks along thin laminae or parallel layering...
found within its borders; this is instead a common misconception.
At the time of establishment, Shaler Township encompassed all of its current holdings plus the boroughs of Etna
Etna, Pennsylvania
Etna is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. It flourished in the past when it was the site of rolling mills, furnaces, steel mills, galvanized-pipe works, and other manufacturers. In 1900, 5,384 people lived in Etna. In 1910, 5,830 lived there,...
, Millvale
Millvale, Pennsylvania
Millvale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. In the past, it had iron manufactures, saw works, stone works, lumber mills, breweries, etc. In 1900, the number of people residing here totaled 6,736; in 1910, 7,861; and in 1940, 7,811...
, and a large tract of Ross Township
Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Ross Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 31,105 at the 2010 census. In September 2007, Ross Township adopted the Strong Mayor/Weak Council form of government allowed by Pennsylvania statutes for townships of its class.The township is part of...
. By 1868, Shaler lost much of its land to the new boroughs, and was relegated to second-class township status. In 1900, Shaler was re-incorporated as a first-class township. The township's boundaries
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
remain basically the same today as they were in 1900.
Early settlement of the Shaler area was sporadic, with small farming and mercantile villages appearing. These mainly developed in the valleys next to Pine Creek
Pine Creek (Allegheny River)
Pine Creek is a tributary of the Allegheny River located in Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.-Course:Pine Creek joins the Allegheny River at the borough of Etna.-Tributaries:*Little Pine Creek...
and Girtys Run
Girtys Run
Girtys Run is a tributary of the Allegheny River located in Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.-Course:Girtys Run joins the Allegheny River at the borough of Millvale.-External links:*...
. At the time of its incorporation, Shaler Township had a population of 2,000; by 1860 it had grown to 16,399. In the late 19th century, the creation of the Glenshaw Glass plant sped up settlement to a certain degree, drawing workers to settle in the vicinity.
From 1907 until 1931 the interurban
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
Pittsburgh and Butler Street Railway
Pittsburgh and Butler Street Railway
The Pittsburgh and Butler Street Railway, commonly called the Butler Short Line, was a broad gauge interurban streetcar line connecting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States to Butler via Mars.-History:...
passed through the township, linking it with Pittsburgh and Butler, Pennsylvania
Butler, Pennsylvania
The city of Butler is the county seat of Butler County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, situated north of Pittsburgh. The population was 15,121 at the 2000 census.- History :...
.
Following the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Shaler became an affluent suburb with many former City of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
residents now populating the Township. Shaler, along with Ross Township, was among the first outer-city areas to develop into the modern suburbs
Suburbanization
Suburbanization a term used to describe the growth of areas on the fringes of major cities. It is one of the many causes of the increase in urban sprawl. Many residents of metropolitan regions work within the central urban area, choosing instead to live in satellite communities called suburbs...
which today define the North Hills region
North Hills (Pennsylvania)
The North Hills is a term generally used to collectively describe the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The independent suburban municipalities that are always included in the North Hills are Ross Township, Borough of West View, Shaler Township, West Deer Township, Frazer Township,...
of Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
. Home building and development during this time period was extensive. Shaler remained and still remains a primarily residential municipality
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
, and it was during this period which the Township came to acquire the attributes it still holds today.
Geography
Shaler Township is located at 40°31′15"N 79°57′49"W (40.520926, -79.963784).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 township has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29.0 km²), of which, 11.0 square miles (28.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (1.70%) is water.
Streams
Shaler is largely hilly, with three stream valleys which run from the north into the Allegheny RiverAllegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
: the valleys of Pine Creek
Pine Creek (Allegheny River)
Pine Creek is a tributary of the Allegheny River located in Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.-Course:Pine Creek joins the Allegheny River at the borough of Etna.-Tributaries:*Little Pine Creek...
and Little Pine Creek converge in the Pittsburgh borough of Etna
Etna, Pennsylvania
Etna is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. It flourished in the past when it was the site of rolling mills, furnaces, steel mills, galvanized-pipe works, and other manufacturers. In 1900, 5,384 people lived in Etna. In 1910, 5,830 lived there,...
, while the valley of Girtys Run
Girtys Run
Girtys Run is a tributary of the Allegheny River located in Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.-Course:Girtys Run joins the Allegheny River at the borough of Millvale.-External links:*...
goes from Shaler into the borough of Millvale
Millvale, Pennsylvania
Millvale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. In the past, it had iron manufactures, saw works, stone works, lumber mills, breweries, etc. In 1900, the number of people residing here totaled 6,736; in 1910, 7,861; and in 1940, 7,811...
.
Surrounding communities
Bordering Shaler Township, starting from the north and going clockwiseClockwise
Circular motion can occur in two possible directions. A clockwise motion is one that proceeds in the same direction as a clock's hands: from the top to the right, then down and then to the left, and back to the top...
on the map, are Hampton Township
Hampton Township, Pennsylvania
Hampton Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,363 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hampton Township is located at ....
, Indiana Township
Indiana Township, Pennsylvania
Indiana Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The population was 7,253 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, O'Hara Township, Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania
Sharpsburg is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, northeast of Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. In the past, it had a rolling mill, foundries, machine shops, and manufacturers of varnish, brick, glass, lumber products, wire, hair, felt, and lubricating oil. In 1900, 6,842 people...
, Etna
Etna, Pennsylvania
Etna is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. It flourished in the past when it was the site of rolling mills, furnaces, steel mills, galvanized-pipe works, and other manufacturers. In 1900, 5,384 people lived in Etna. In 1910, 5,830 lived there,...
, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Millvale
Millvale, Pennsylvania
Millvale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River, opposite Pittsburgh. In the past, it had iron manufactures, saw works, stone works, lumber mills, breweries, etc. In 1900, the number of people residing here totaled 6,736; in 1910, 7,861; and in 1940, 7,811...
, Reserve Township
Reserve Township, Pennsylvania
Reserve Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,333 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Reserve Township is located at ....
, and Ross Township
Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Ross Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 31,105 at the 2010 census. In September 2007, Ross Township adopted the Strong Mayor/Weak Council form of government allowed by Pennsylvania statutes for townships of its class.The township is part of...
. Although Shaler does not share a border with McCandless Township it is opposed diagonally to Shaler in the northwest.
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 29,757 people, 11,932 households, and 8,686 families residing in the township.
There were 11,932 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% 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, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $49,118, and the median income for a family was $56,998. Males have a median income of $40,991 versus $29,473 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 township was $23,223. About 3.0% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives and residents
- Art HoweArt HoweArthur Henry Howe Jr. is a former Major League Baseball infielder, coach, scout and manager. He is an alumnus of the University of Wyoming...
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(1974–75). - Mark MaddenMark MaddenMark Madden is an American radio sports talk-show host in Pittsburgh and also a former World Championship Wrestling color commentator. -Career:...
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commentator. - Jim ShearerJim ShearerJim Shearer is a MTV2 VJ who was hired in 2002 after catching the eye of the executive vice president of MTV with a homemade audition tape. Since then he has hosted the shows Advance Warning, 120 Minutes, Subterranean, Video Mods, Summer Gig, as well as other shows on both MTV and MTV2.Jim...
: TV Personality, VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown host, Creator of Yinz Luv Da Guins and Yinz Luv da Stillers video blog on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos.... - Tom CorbettTom CorbettThomas W. Corbett is the 46th and current Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. He is a former Attorney General of Pennsylvania and was elected to that office in 2004 and reelected in 2008...
– Current governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Pennsylvania and former attorney generalState Attorney GeneralThe state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those...