Welcome to Brownsville, PA

Brownsville played an important role in the settlement of America's first frontier and in the industrial development of western Pennsylvania.The site where Brownsville now stands, home to Native Americans, was known as 'Redstone Old Fort'. A road connecting Maryland to the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains followed Nemacolin Trail (blazed by the Indian ChiefNemacolin); was the first road paid for by the Government; and was known asthe 'National road' or 'National Pike'. The road was later improved and
used for pioneer and military use by the British.
       Brownsville situated, at the western most point of Fayette County, onthe National Road and overlooking the Monongahela River was the gateway to the west. Thomas Brown, realizing that pioneers would be drawn to theBrownsville area to get to the Ohio Valley and the state of Kentucky, purchased land in the 1700's and by mid 1700's a town was being mapped out. It was then, that the town of Brownsville (named for Thomas Brown and formerly known as Redstone Old Fort) became a "keel-boat" building center
as well as other businesses for travelers. The businessmen from Brownsville supplied transportation and supplies to the traveling pioneers, and the town became very prosperous. The steamboat industry soon took over to facilitate traffic along the Monongahela River. The very first steamboat, the Enterprise, to travel to New Orleans and return by its own power was designed and built in the Brownsville boatyards and launched from the Brownsville Wharf in 1814.
      The town began to decline in the mid 1800's due to the completion of a railroad designed to connect Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Brownsville's transportation system wasn't able to surpass the fast track of the railway.
       The steel industry soon appeared and shortly after that in the twentieth century, Brownsville's rich coal veins provided the necessary product for making steel and became an important railroad and commercial center. This boom lasted until the mid 1900's when many changes in industry affected the atmosphere of this twice prosperous town and many other communities in this Monongahela Valley.

Dedication Ceremony of Johnny Camino Drive was held on June 16, 2009, 42 years after his death in Vietnam. John E. Camino was the first Brownsville resident to be killed in Vietnam. Pictured are his family in front of the new roadway sign. Dignitaries present were Representative for Governor Ed Rendell and Bill DeWeeses Office: Jo Lofsted, Representative for Richard Kasunic: Sheriff Gary Brownfield, Representative for Peter Daley: Chip Glab, Fayette County Commisioners Vince Zapatosky, Vince Vicites and Angela Zimmerlink, Frank Ricco President of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, Sheriff Gary Brownfield, Mayor Lewis Hosler. Members Of Brownsville Council Jack Lawver, John Hosler, Thomas Bush, Theresa Hosler and James Lawver, Chiefs of Police from Luzurne Twp Roy Mehalik and Brownsville Police Stanley Jablonsky, Code Enforcement officer and Chief of South Brownsville V.F.D. Woody Nicholson, American Legion Posts 295,940 and 838, Vietnam Veterans Inc Of Fayette County. Brownsville Borough would like to thank all who attended.

At a special meeting on Tuesday April 28, 2009, Brownsville Council members Jack Lawver, Thomas Bush, Charlie Perkins, James Lawver,John Hosler, Tracy Sheehan-Zivkovich, and Theresa Hosler unanimously accepted the lowest bid of $74,969.00 from A.C. Moyer Company, INC of Lemont Furnace to repave certain streets within the Borough. Pearl Street, the brick road, York Street from Broad St. to the Borough line, Lewis Street from Broad St. to the Borough line, Front Street, Fifth Avenue from Front St. to Market St, Sixth Avenue from Front St. to Brashear St., Market Street Extension and Locust Street from Broadway to Union St. will all be paved before May 31. Funding for street pavement was derived from a grant through state representative Bill Deweese’s office. There were 5 Bids that were received ranging from highest of $108,424.00 down to the lowest being $74,969.00. Borough residents will be notified not to park on the streets that are to be paved for that day.

I am going to try and show the history of events that made Brownsville what it is today. If anyone would like to help in this endeavor with me as for a class project or just as a local interest please feel free to email me with your input. Here are some of the events that I have come up with and if you have more just email this site.

Penn Dot has taken back High Street and Market Street for winter maintainence and the phone number to call for any problems about snow and ice removal on those streets is to be directed to 724.439.7470