Let’s zoom in for a closer look!

Charleroi Pictorial Gallery

Charleroi’s BrainchildRobert McKean was born March 7, 1827 and married Janet Caird of Scotland in 1849.

He was the first successful produce farmer in Washington County and operated the Green Valley Garden Farm. He became the first Postmaster of Pittsburgh and one of the four founding fathers of Charleroi Land Company in 1889.

The 4 farms were: Thomas Redd, Robert McKean, William McMahan, and one other unnamed.

Four original farms: aerial view1897

Entering the cityFrom the river, to the glass works, Charleroi expands across the Monogahela River

Glass factory works

Products of glass work

Local scenes1900-1970

John K. TenerCharleroi, PA

Inside the city streets

Early school daysHow would you like to have to dress in those clothes?

Children were expected to be well manner, dress properly, and would be spanked in class if they disrespected their teachers or classmates!

But don’t they look happy!

School days: one is still standing!

This is now CharHouse, but was onceA large school building!

Center of town: 1920s

The Magic CityThe opening day of the farm land sale was March 4, 1890. The sale began and over 1025 lots were sold in one day!

The town grew so fast and business prospered in record numbers. The first business was Bower’s Hardware and lasted over 60 years. And Goaziou’s Print shop ran its own Newspaper press.

In the years to come, people came from the MonValley area to shop for: shoes (over 15 shoe stores, thus the name “Shoe-laroi”), movie houses (The Coyle Theater); billiard parlors and many more.