Washington County, Pennsylvania
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. As of 2000, the population was 202,897. It was created on March 28, 1781, from part of Westmoreland County. Its county seat is Washington. Both the county and the city were named for American Revolutionary War leader George Washington, later to become the first President of the United States. It was the first county in the United States to be named in his honor. The county is home to Washington County Airport, located three miles (5 km) southwest of Washington, Pennsylvania.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 861 square miles (2,230 km²).857 square miles (2,220 km²) of it is land and 4 square miles (10 km²) of it (0.45%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Beaver County(north)
Allegheny County(northeast)
Westmoreland County(east)
Fayette County(southeast)
Greene County(south)
Marshall County, West Virginia(southwest)
Ohio County, West Virginia(west)
Brooke County, West Virginia(west)
Hancock County, West Virginia(northwest)
Government and politics
As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .Democratic: 89,027 (58.37%)
Republican: 49,025 (32.14%)
Other Parties: 14,482 (9.49%)
The County of Washington is governed by a three member publicly elected commission. The three commissioners serve in both executive and legislative capacities. By state law, the commission must have a minority party guaranteeing a political split on the commission. Each term is for four years.The three current commissioners for Washington County are J. Bracken Burns (Democrat), Lawrence Maggi (Democrat), and Diana Irey (Republican). Burns played a minor role as a doctor in the wrestling drama movie, Reversal.Maggi once ran for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district against Republican incumbent Tim Murphy in 2002. Irey was the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district and lost to the popular Democratic incumbent John Murtha in the 2006 election.The Washington County Court of Common Pleas, the Twenty-Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, is the state trial court, sitting in and for Washington County. It serves as the court of original jurisdiction for the region. There are six judges, which the county's citizens elect to ten year terms, under the laws of the Commonwealth. The President Judge is The Honorable Debbie O'Dell-Seneca; she is the most senior member of the bench and is responsible for the assignment of cases, the court's budget, and the administration of court personnel. The Honorable Judges of the court are:Debbie O'Dell-Seneca, P.J.
Katherine B. Emery, J.
Paul Pozonsky, J.
John F. DiSalle, J.
Janet Moschetta Bell, J.
Additionally, magisterial district judges (MDJs) serve throughout the county to hear traffic citations, issue warrants, and decide minor civil matters.The Democratic Party has been historically dominant in county-level politics and national politics, however Washington has trended Republican at the national level in recent years. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore won 53% of the vote and Republican George W. Bush won 44%. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry received 50.14% of the vote and Bush received 49.57% a difference of 552 votes. In 2008, Republican John McCain won 51% to Democrat Barack Obama's 46% and each of the three state row office winners carried Washington County.
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Another sign of growing strength for the Republican party was the overwhelming victory of now District Attorney Steven Toprani in 2007. Toprani won by a nearly 2 to 1 margin over 24 year incumbent John Pettit, who was dogged by accusations of corruption.
County row offices
Clerk of Courts, Barbara Gibbs, Democrat
Controller, Michael Namie, Democrat
Coroner, Timothy Warco, Democrat
District Attorney, Steven Toprani, Republican
Prothonotary, Phyllis Ranko-Matheny, Democrat
Recorder of Deeds, Deborah Bardella, Democrat
Register of Wills, Mary Jo Poknis, Democrat
Sheriff, Samuel Romano, Democrat
Treasurer, Francis L. King, Democrat
State Representatives
David Levdansky, Democrat, 39th district
John A. Maher, Republican, 40th district
Jesse J. White, Democrat, 46th district
Timothy Solobay, Democrat, 48th district
Peter Daley, Democrat, 49th district
H. William DeWeese, Democrat, 50th district
State Senators
Rich Kasunic, Democrat, 32nd district
Barry Stout, Democrat, 46th district
US Representatives
Mark Critz, Democrat, 12th district
Tim Murphy, Republican, 18th district
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 202,897 people, 81,130 households, and 56,060 families residing in the county. The population density was 237 people per square mile (91/km²). There were 87,267 housing units at an average density of 102 per square mile (39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.27% White, 3.26% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.3% were of German, 17.2% Italian, 10.6% Irish, 8.6% English, 7.9% Polish and 6.2% American ancestry according to Census 2000.There were 81,130 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.In the county, the population was spread out with 22.20% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.As of 1800, this county was largely settled by people of Scot-Irish religion because 'prime lands' were already taken by the Germans and the Quakers.
Landmarks and events
Washington County is the home of the PONY Baseball and Softball International Headquarters and is the home of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Washington County is also famous for its Rock Shelters at Meadowcroft Village, which are one of the best preserved and oldest Pre-Clovis Native American dwellings in the country. The county has 21 covered bridges still standing.The Whiskey Rebellion culminated in Washington. The home of David Bradford, one of the rebellions leaders, is located in Washington and is a national landmark. Just a couple blocks away is the F. Julius LeMoyne House, which serves as the headquarters of the Washington County Historical Society.Washington County is the home of the first crematory in the United States.
Municipalities
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Washington County:
Cities
Monongahela
Washington
Census-designated places
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law.
Other places
Bulger
Condit Crossing
Courtney
Eighty Four
Public school districts
Avella Area School District
Bentworth School District
Bethlehem-Center School District
Brownsville Area School District(also in Fayette County)
Burgettstown Area School District
California Area School District
Canon-McMillan School District
Charleroi School District
Chartiers-Houston School District
Fort Cherry School District(also in Allegheny County)
McGuffey School District
Peters Township School District
Ringgold School District
Trinity Area School District
Washington School District
Colleges and universities
California University of Pennsylvaniain California Borough
Community College of Allegheny CountyWashington branch in North Franklin Township
University of PhoenixPittsburgh campus, Washington branch in the City of Washington
Washington & Jefferson Collegein the City of Washington and East Washington Borough
Waynesburg University- Southpointe Center Campus in Canonsburg.
Hospitals
Canonsburg General Hospital, part ofWest Penn Allegheny Health Systemin North Strabane Township
Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township
The Washington Hospitalin the City of Washington
Notable people
John Alexander Anderson, born in Washington County,United States CongressmanfromKansas
Kurt Angle(1968–present), resided in Canonsburg,Olympicgold medalistandProfessional wrestler
James G. Blaine(1830–1893), native of West Brownsville,United States Secretary of State,Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 1884Republicanpresidential nominee
David Bradford, born in Maryland 1760 and resided in Washington, early deputy attorney-general for Washington County, became a leader in the Whiskey Rebellion challenging the nascent U.S. federal government
Alexander G. Clark (1826–1891), born in Washington County, 'The Colored Orator of the West', Minister to Liberia 1890-1891
Perry Como(1912–2001), native of Canonsburg, recording artist and television performer
Mitch Daniels(1949–present), native of Monongahela, current Governor of Indiana
Alexander Fulton(unknown-died ca. 1818), founder ofAlexandria, Louisiana
Ken Griffey, Jr.(1969–present), native of Donora,Major League Baseballplayer
Ken Griffey, Sr.(1950–present), native of Donora,Major League Baseballplayer
Joseph Hardy(1924–present), former resident of Eighty Four, philanthropist, former CEO and founder of84 Lumber
Pete Henry(1897–1952), NFL player/coach, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Shirley Jones(1934–present), native of Smithton, singer and actress, best known for her role as the mother of thePartridge Familyand winning anAcademy Awardfor an Actress in a Supporting Role in 1960 inElmer Gantry.
Mario Lemieux(1965–present), former property owner in South Strabane Township, formerNational Hockey Leagueplayer and part owner of thePittsburgh Penguins
Francis Julius LeMoyne(1798–1879)abolitionistand pioneer ofcremationin the U.S.
Jonathan Letterman(1824–1872), native of Canonsburg, Father of Battlefield Medicine andCivil Warsurgeon
William Henry Letterman(1832–1881), native of Canonsburg, co-founder of thePhi Kappa Psifraternity, surgeon, and brother ofJonathan Letterman
Jay Livingston(1915–2001), native of McDonald, Oscar-winning songwriter
William Holmes McGuffey(1800–1873), native of the western side of the county, famous educator and writer ofMcGuffey's Ecletic Readers- one of America's first text books
Joe Montana(1956–present), native of Monongahela,National Football Leagueplayer
Stan Musial(1920–present), native of Donora,Major League Baseballplayer
Deborah Jeane Palfrey(1956–2008), native of Charleroi, 'The D.C. Madam'
David Redick(died 1805),Vice-President(Lt. Governor) ofPennsylvaniafor three weeks in 1788;surveyor—laid out the town ofWashington.
Paul Shannon(1909–1990), radio and television personality
Bobby Vinton(1935–present), native of Canonsburg, recording artist