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Westmoreland County and North Huntingdon
Township Maps. Visit our
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General Information
This
overview of Westmoreland County, PA is provided
by InWestmoreland.com, a for-profit website
developer whose mission is to promote
businesses, services, and events in Westmoreland
County. While not meant to be exhaustive, we
provide here a picture of the dynamic energy,
historic depth, and social and commercial
strength of the place we call home.
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Located in
Southwestern Pennsylvania, Westmoreland
County is part of the Laurel Highlands.
Greensburg, its County Seat, lies 34 miles
east of Pittsburgh, PA. Companies
considering Westmoreland County as a place
to do business will find industrial,
distribution, and technology parks
strategically located throughout the county,
in addition to the availability of air,
freight, and truck transportation. World
class manufacturers such as Elliot,
Kennametal, and Timken Latrobe Steel, head a
list of nearly two dozen precision
industrial suppliers. Sony maintains its own
large television assembly complex in
Westmoreland County. |
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Over 7,500
small businesses in Westmoreland County provide
a tremendous range of products and services.
Most pride themselves on maintaining a personal
touch, where their concern for each customer and
their conscientious approach to providing
quality service comes before anything else.
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In the midst of
growth and developing industry, Westmoreland
County retains a strong tradition of farming
and land conservation. Working farms provide
for many of the county’s agricultural needs.
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A short
drive from any bustling industrial or commercial
center, Westmoreland County presents rolling
green hills, streams, picturesque farms, and
quiet country getaways. Rich in recreational and
conservation areas, Westmoreland County, PA
boasts dozens of county and state parks, country
clubs, state game lands, state forests, and
nature preserves. In addition, there are many
great parks and recreation areas maintained by
townships and localities. Westmoreland County
boasts many fine tourist events and attractions,
with something available all year long, from
covered bridges to apple festivals, holiday
celebrations, ski resorts, and family fun parks.
Westmoreland County’s history goes back before
the American Revolution. In August of 1763, the
Battle of Bushy Run during the French & Indian
War was fought near present day Jeannette, PA,
relieving Fort Pitt and setting in play the
historical forces that would shape the region.
Governor Richard Penn approved an Act of
Assembly that formed Westmoreland County on
February 26th, 1773. The original County Seat at
Hannas Town was burned by raiding Senecas,
acting with the aid of the British, in 1782.
Today, Westmoreland County is home to families
and businesses marked by an inspiring commitment
to their communities. People here believe in
making their neighbors feel welcome and in
extending a helping hand when circumstances
require. Professionals willingly give back to
the communities that have helped them succeed.
Our Chambers of Commerce work to empower local
entrepreneurs, so that their success may enrich
the communities they serve. Westmoreland County
government encourages the investment and
diversification of large industry, and the
county’s infrastructure and workforce remain
healthy resources for any potential employer.
Statistics
The eighth
largest county in Pennsylvania, Westmoreland
County encompasses some 1,025 square miles and
has a population of 368,983. Westmoreland
County, PA is comprised of 21 townships and over
280 boroughs, cities, towns, and villages.
Over 50% of Westmoreland County households earn
between $25,000 and $75,000 per year, with a
median household income of over $37,000. 85.6%
of our residents are High School graduates and
20.2% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
In Westmoreland County, over 25% of businesses
are women owned.
In October of 2003, the region’s firefighters,
police, and emergency responders acquired a
state-of-the-art training facility when
Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC)
dedicated an $8 million Public Safety Training
Center. The new training center is located off
Reduction Road in South Huntingdon Township.
Additional statistical information can be found
at the
Quick Facts area of the U.S. Census Bureau
website and, separated by community,
at the
Economic Growth Connection website.
History
During the
French and Indian War, in the middle of the 18th
century, Britain and France fought for control
of North America. In 1758, in what would become
part of Eastern Westmoreland County, General
John Forbes began a road across Pennsylvania.
Forbes’ Road was guarded by fortifications, and
its ultimate aim was of aiding in the attack on
Fort Duquesne. One of these fortifications along
the Loyalhanna he named “Fort Ligonier” after
Sir John Ligonier, his commander in Great
Britain. In 1763, the Battle of Bushy Run
decided the fate of the region in favor of the
English, and by 1773, Westmoreland County was
born.
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The first county
established in Pennsylvania west of the
Allegheny Mountains, Westmoreland County
originally encompassed a vast area of
Western Pennsylvania, including current day
Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties.
Parts of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, and
Indiana counties were also included in this
“Mother of Counties.”
The home of Robert Hanna was originally used
for the county courts, and historic Hanna's
Town, near Greesnburg, PA, remains an
ongoing archeological dig, a site registered
with the National Register of Historic
Places.
Today the Westmoreland County Courthouse is
located in downtown Greensburg. Constructed
in the Italian Renaissance style in 1906, it
is the fourth courthouse to be built on the
spot, and its main feature is a central dome
175 feet high. Designed by architect William
Kauffman (1857 – 1945), the original
courtrooms feature beautiful murals,
Edwardian chandeliers, and deep coved
ceilings. |
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In the 19th
and 20th centuries, Westmoreland County grew on
the strength of the coal, steel, and rail
industries, and while manufacturing remains a
critical component of its economy, the 21st
century sees Westmoreland County making strides
in the service and technology industries.
Westmoreland County has been considered as one
of the possible routes for the Pennsylvania
High-speed Maglev project, and whatever occurs
in the future for commerce and industry, it is
certain that Westmoreland County has the
workforce, intellectual resources, committed
industry and governmental leaders, and the
community spirit to remain a great place to live
and work in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Government
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Westmoreland County
is governed by three commissioners who are
elected to serve 4 year terms of office.
County government provides for the county
budget, courts system, recordkeeping,
regional planning and development, bus
service, a community college, Aging and
Health services, and more. The County moves
toward the future according to a
Comprehensive Plan, the goals of which are
to create a healthy and safe living
environment in the county, to provide for
good schools and diversified and affordable
housing, accessible shopping, quality
recreational and cultural attractions, and
jobs that pay a living wage. This plan
proceeds according to an interactive process
designed to keep the citizens of the county
involved in helping to determine the course
of their own futures. For more information, the
County maintains its own informational
website. If you have
questions about any of the departments
listed below, contact that department using
the phone number on the Westmoreland
County's website. |
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All of the departments and services listed
below can be found at the
Westmoreland County website. You'll also
find information about:
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Window to
Westmoreland Newsletter
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Westmoreland
County Tourism Program
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Westmoreland
County's Comprehensive Plan
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Public Access to
Criminal Dockets
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Agriculture
Pennsylvania
has a rich agricultural heritage, and
Westmoreland County is home to over 40 Farmers
Markets, with many providing year round
services. In Westmoreland County, the
Agricultural Conservation Easement program has
protected in perpetuity 44 farms encompassing
6,315 acres.
A few examples of progressive farms in
Westmoreland County include:
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The Jamison
Farm is a supplier of lambs to the nation's
top restaurants. Owners John and Sukey Jamison
produce the country’s finest lamb right here in
Westmoreland County.
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Sand
Hill Berries is a family owned and operated
small fruits farm near Mount Pleasant in
Westmoreland County, specializing in red
raspberries, red currants, black currants,
gooseberries, yellow raspberries, blackberries,
blueberries, and strawberries.
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The Hopeway
Dairy is one of the county’s leading dairies,
with 200 cows and a state-of-the-art milking
facility. The Hopeway Dairy is operated by Wayne
and Hope Frye and family.
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Located next
to Chestnut Ridge in the Laurel Highlands,
Friendship Farms provides healthy, natural,
and certified organic food and agricultural
products to conscientious consumers. The
Costello family is equally proud of their
Christmas tree production and native plant
nursery, as well as their all natural bread,
jam, and beef products.
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