Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Coraopolis is a borough
in Allegheny County
, Pennsylvania
, USA
. The population was 5,677 at the 2010 census. In 1940 the population peaked at 11,086. It is a small community located to the west of Pittsburgh, along the Ohio River
and to the east of the Pittsburgh International Airport
. The borough is noted for its steep topography, numerous brick streets and many large, old and exquisite homes. The American Bridge Company
is headquartered in Coraopolis.
On April 3, 1769, Andrew Montour
, an Indian
interpreter who had provided service to English
settler
s during the French and Indian War
, was granted a land patent
for approximately 350 acres (1.4 km²) of what would later become the borough of Coraopolis and Neville Island. It is a matter of uncertainty whether he ever lived upon this tract, and highly probable that his residence was not long. The first permanent white settler in Coraopolis was Capt. Robert Vance, who settled in the vicinity of Montour's tract around 1773, just prior to the beginning of the American Revolution
. Vance, a Virginian, had been a member of the regiment commanded by George Washington
at the Braddock expedition
during the French and Indian War
. For the protection of himself and his neighbors, of whom several arrived within a few years, Vance had a log stockade
built with a stone blockhouse
to protect the area against Indian
raids. This was known as Vance Fort (or Fort Vance). The site of the fort was around present-day Broadway and Chestnut streets, near Second Avenue. Over time the community grew and developed, and it became known as Middletown in the 1800s, because it was situated midway between Pittsburgh and Beaver, Pennsylvania
.
One of the most important early industries in the area was begun by the Watson family, English
immigrants who arrived in America
in 1830. The Watsons built a sawmill
on the site of the present municipal building on Fifth Avenue. Later, they operated a much larger grist mill
on the river bank at Mill Street, until 1887.
The borough
was incorporated on June 7, 1886. It was previously known as a village
under the name of Middletown, while the post office name was Vancefort. It was established in August 1861, and changed to Coraopolis in March 1886. Legend has it that the borough was named for a member of the Watson family, Cora Watson, who was born on February 2, 1870. However, an old newspaper uncovered by longtime resident and local historian Dr. Frank Braden, Jr. suggests it more likely took the appellation from a Greek
word for "maiden city". According to page 7 of the book Coraopolis, by Gia Tatone, Coraopolis Historical Society (2007), "The newspaper [Dr. Frank Braden, Jr. uncovered] was simply called the News and was published in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, on June 5, 1897. The newspaper discusses the confusion that was occurring with the post offices in regard to the name Middletown. Several other areas in the state of Pennsylvania shared the same name. With a borough now being established, the Reverend Josiah Dillon, a pioneer clergyman, suggested the name to be changed to Coraopolis. Dillon knew Greek
and was also the first burgess (mayor
) at the time. So he suggested combining Kore meaning 'maiden' and opolis
meaning 'city' ('maiden city') to achieve Koreopolis. However, when Greek
letters and pronunciation were turned to English
, it is said the spelling therefore accidentally got changed."http://books.google.com/books?id=4dv4SX4LDLEC&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Community development in Coraopolis moved along gradually with the building of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
in 1877. Several Coraopolis residents were stockholders in this enterprise. In 1890, oil was discovered at both ends of the borough, which briefly stimulated a population boom. The effects did not last long, however, as the oil supplies were found to be rather modest.
In 1892, community development took off with the construction of the first high-speed electric street railway in the United States. The railway was scheduled to run up to 40 mph, going from Coraopolis, over Neville Island and to McKees Rocks
. Along with the railway came Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company to Coraopolis, moving from its location in Fostoria, Ohio
. Consolidated Glass employed up to 350 people. Other Coraopolis residents worked for the new industries established on Neville Island.
Coraopolis' first municipal building was built in 1897 on State Avenue and was used until 1929, when the current building was constructed.
Two significant contributions to modern educational practice took place in the area. In 1955, Dr. Harry Houtz published a six year study in the National Education Journal demonstrating that phonics
was a more effective way of teaching reading, and in 1957, Herbert Snell published his study of performance-based academic tracking in junior high, which became widely adopted. Coraopolis and Neville Township
merged to form Cornell School District
in 1971, and all students reported to the new Cornell Educational Center in 1976.
Coraopolis is the birthplace of actors Michael Keaton
and S. William Hinzman.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 9.46%, is water.
in western Pennsylvania. The borough is bordered on the west and south by Moon Township
and on the southeast by Robinson Township
. Coraopolis is connected to Neville Island (Neville Township) via the Coraopolis Bridge
. The borough sits across the river from Haysville
and Osborne
.
of 2000, there were 6,131 people, 2,880 households, and 1,552 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 4,582.3 people per square mile (1,766.6/km²). There were 3,119 housing units at an average density of 2,331.1 per square mile (898.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 84.96% White, 12.43% Black or African American
, 0.08% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races
, and 1.66% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,880 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples
living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.1% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the borough the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $32,321, and the median income for a family was $41,081. Males had a median income of $31,374 versus $25,269 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $17,595. About 6.4% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.
Borough (Pennsylvania)
In the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is usually smaller than a city. There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania. All municipalities in Pennsylvania are classified as either cities, boroughs, or townships...
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...
. The population was 5,677 at the 2010 census. In 1940 the population peaked at 11,086. It is a small community located to the west of Pittsburgh, along the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
and to the east of the Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport , formerly Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and commonly referred to as Pittsburgh International, is a joint civil–military international airport located in the Pittsburgh suburb of Findlay Township, approximately west of...
. The borough is noted for its steep topography, numerous brick streets and many large, old and exquisite homes. The American Bridge Company
American Bridge Company
The American Bridge Company is a privately held civil engineering firm specializing in the construction and renovation of bridges and other large civil engineering projects, founded in 1900, and headquartered in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.-Products and industry positioning:The...
is headquartered in Coraopolis.
History
Coraopolis has a history replete with the names found on the borough's street signs; names like Montour, Vance, Ferree, McCabe, Neely and Watson.On April 3, 1769, Andrew Montour
Andrew Montour
Andrew Montour , also known as Henry Montour, Sattelihu, and Eghnisara, was an important métis interpreter and negotiator in the Virginia and Pennsylvania backcountry in the 1750s and 1760s....
, an Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
interpreter who had provided service to English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
settler
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
s during the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
, was granted a land patent
Land patent
A land patent is a land grant made patent by the sovereign lord over the land in question. To make a such a grant “patent”, such a sovereign lord must document the land grant, securely sign and seal the document and openly publish the same to the public for all to see...
for approximately 350 acres (1.4 km²) of what would later become the borough of Coraopolis and Neville Island. It is a matter of uncertainty whether he ever lived upon this tract, and highly probable that his residence was not long. The first permanent white settler in Coraopolis was Capt. Robert Vance, who settled in the vicinity of Montour's tract around 1773, just prior to the beginning of the American Revolution
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Vance, a Virginian, had been a member of the regiment commanded by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
at the Braddock expedition
Braddock expedition
The Braddock expedition, also called Braddock's campaign or, more commonly, Braddock's Defeat, was a failed British military expedition which attempted to capture the French Fort Duquesne in the summer of 1755 during the French and Indian War. It was defeated at the Battle of the Monongahela on...
during the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
. For the protection of himself and his neighbors, of whom several arrived within a few years, Vance had a log stockade
Stockade
A stockade is an enclosure of palisades and tall walls made of logs placed side by side vertically with the tops sharpened to provide security.-Stockade as a security fence:...
built with a stone blockhouse
Blockhouse
In military science, a blockhouse is a small, isolated fort in the form of a single building. It serves as a defensive strong point against any enemy that does not possess siege equipment or, in modern times, artillery...
to protect the area against Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
raids. This was known as Vance Fort (or Fort Vance). The site of the fort was around present-day Broadway and Chestnut streets, near Second Avenue. Over time the community grew and developed, and it became known as Middletown in the 1800s, because it was situated midway between Pittsburgh and Beaver, Pennsylvania
Beaver, Pennsylvania
Beaver is a borough in and the county seat of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States, at the confluence of the Beaver and Ohio Rivers. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 4,775, having dropped from 5,641 in 1940....
.
One of the most important early industries in the area was begun by the Watson family, English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
immigrants who arrived in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1830. The Watsons built a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
on the site of the present municipal building on Fifth Avenue. Later, they operated a much larger grist mill
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 :...
on the river bank at Mill Street, until 1887.
The borough
Borough (Pennsylvania)
In the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is usually smaller than a city. There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania. All municipalities in Pennsylvania are classified as either cities, boroughs, or townships...
was incorporated on June 7, 1886. It was previously known as a village
Pennsylvania village
A Village in Pennsylvania is a geographic area within a larger political subdivision, usually a Township, although some villages are located within a Borough. Often, a village is also a Census Designated Place, but this is not always the case....
under the name of Middletown, while the post office name was Vancefort. It was established in August 1861, and changed to Coraopolis in March 1886. Legend has it that the borough was named for a member of the Watson family, Cora Watson, who was born on February 2, 1870. However, an old newspaper uncovered by longtime resident and local historian Dr. Frank Braden, Jr. suggests it more likely took the appellation from a Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
word for "maiden city". According to page 7 of the book Coraopolis, by Gia Tatone, Coraopolis Historical Society (2007), "The newspaper [Dr. Frank Braden, Jr. uncovered] was simply called the News and was published in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, on June 5, 1897. The newspaper discusses the confusion that was occurring with the post offices in regard to the name Middletown. Several other areas in the state of Pennsylvania shared the same name. With a borough now being established, the Reverend Josiah Dillon, a pioneer clergyman, suggested the name to be changed to Coraopolis. Dillon knew Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
and was also the first burgess (mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
) at the time. So he suggested combining Kore meaning 'maiden' and opolis
Polis
Polis , plural poleis , literally means city in Greek. It could also mean citizenship and body of citizens. In modern historiography "polis" is normally used to indicate the ancient Greek city-states, like Classical Athens and its contemporaries, so polis is often translated as "city-state."The...
meaning 'city' ('maiden city') to achieve Koreopolis. However, when Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
letters and pronunciation were turned to English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, it is said the spelling therefore accidentally got changed."http://books.google.com/books?id=4dv4SX4LDLEC&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Community development in Coraopolis moved along gradually with the building of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad , also known as the "Little Giant", was formed on May 11, 1875. Company headquarters were located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The line connected Pittsburgh in the east with Youngstown, Ohio at nearby Haselton, Ohio in the west and Connellsville, ...
in 1877. Several Coraopolis residents were stockholders in this enterprise. In 1890, oil was discovered at both ends of the borough, which briefly stimulated a population boom. The effects did not last long, however, as the oil supplies were found to be rather modest.
In 1892, community development took off with the construction of the first high-speed electric street railway in the United States. The railway was scheduled to run up to 40 mph, going from Coraopolis, over Neville Island and to McKees Rocks
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
McKees Rocks, also known as "The Rocks", is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the south bank of the Ohio River. The borough population was 6,104 at the 2010 census.In the past, it was known for its extensive iron and steel interests...
. Along with the railway came Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company to Coraopolis, moving from its location in Fostoria, Ohio
Fostoria, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,931 people, 5,565 households, and 3,628 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,917.6 people per square mile . There were 6,024 housing units at an average density of 829.2 per square mile...
. Consolidated Glass employed up to 350 people. Other Coraopolis residents worked for the new industries established on Neville Island.
Coraopolis' first municipal building was built in 1897 on State Avenue and was used until 1929, when the current building was constructed.
Two significant contributions to modern educational practice took place in the area. In 1955, Dr. Harry Houtz published a six year study in the National Education Journal demonstrating that phonics
Phonics
Phonics refers to a method for teaching speakers of English to read and write that language. Phonics involves teaching how to connect the sounds of spoken English with letters or groups of letters and teaching them to blend the sounds of letters together to produce approximate pronunciations...
was a more effective way of teaching reading, and in 1957, Herbert Snell published his study of performance-based academic tracking in junior high, which became widely adopted. Coraopolis and Neville Township
Neville Township, Pennsylvania
Neville Township, also known as Neville Island, is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. The entire township is located on Neville Island, which is an island on the Ohio River...
merged to form Cornell School District
Cornell School District
Cornell School District is a diminutive, suburban public school district in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The district encompasses approximately 2 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 7,363. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income was...
in 1971, and all students reported to the new Cornell Educational Center in 1976.
Coraopolis is the birthplace of actors Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
and S. William Hinzman.
Geography
Coraopolis is located at 40°30′57"N 80°9′46"W (40.515818, -80.162791).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 borough has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 9.46%, is water.
Surrounding communities
Coraopolis is situated along the southern bank of the Ohio RiverOhio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
in western Pennsylvania. The borough is bordered on the west and south by Moon Township
Moon Township, Pennsylvania
Moon Township is a township along the Ohio River in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. Moon is a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area and is located northwest of Pittsburgh. The origin of its name is unknown for certain, although it has been suggested that it derives from a...
and on the southeast by Robinson Township
Robinson Township, Pennsylvania
Robinson Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States approximately west of Pittsburgh. The population was 13,354 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Robinson Township is located at ....
. Coraopolis is connected to Neville Island (Neville Township) via the Coraopolis Bridge
Coraopolis Bridge
The Coraopolis Bridge is a girder bridge over the back channel of the Ohio River connecting Grand Avenue on Neville Island to Ferree Street in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1995 to replace a structure of historic significance...
. The borough sits across the river from Haysville
Haysville, Pennsylvania
Haysville is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, U.S., along the Ohio River. The population was 70 according to the 2010 census, making it the least-populated municipality in Allegheny County.-Geography:...
and Osborne
Osborne, Pennsylvania
Glen Osborne is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the Ohio River. The population was 547 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Glen Osborne is located at ....
.
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 6,131 people, 2,880 households, and 1,552 families residing in the borough. 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 4,582.3 people per square mile (1,766.6/km²). There were 3,119 housing units at an average density of 2,331.1 per square mile (898.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 84.96% White, 12.43% Black or African American
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...
, 0.08% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.57% 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 1.66% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,880 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% 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, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.1% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the borough the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $32,321, and the median income for a family was $41,081. Males had a median income of $31,374 versus $25,269 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 borough was $17,595. About 6.4% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.
Borough government
- Mayor - John Haberland
- Borough Council:
- Council President - John Pessy
- Dan LaRocco
- Ettore Pitassi
- Anthony Celeste
- Shelly Jones
- Ray McCutcheon
- Paul Pollastro
- Gerard Thompson
- Borough Manager - Tom Cellante, Jr.
- Borough Engineers - Lennon, Smith and Souleret (Ned Metrovich)
- Borough Solicitor - Richard Start
- Water Superintendent - Rich Deems