Greene County ECONOMICAL Evolution
Greene County is located in the southwestern corner of the State. Our County's fall foliage has always been a major attraction, with the foliage at its peak in mid-October. Greene County Historical Facts dating back to 1796. We hope you enjoy our history compilations for various aspects of our county:
Greene County being located in the southwestern most corner of Pennsylvania, is considered the cornerstone of the keystone state. Greene County is 89.2 percent rural; with a population of about 41,000 residents; and a land area of 579 square miles. The countyseat for Greene County is within the Borough of Waynesburg, located at exit 14 of interstate 79, about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh. Waynesburg is the county seat for our county and located in the 12th United States Congressional District, the
46th Pennsylvania Senate District and the
50th Pennsylvania House District. There are
twenty townships and six boroughs and 44 polling precincts within the county.
The county is divided into three magisterial districts for the operation of the lesser court system and there are
two judges who sit on the Court of Common Pleas in Waynesburg.
There is a state correctional facility (SCI Greene) and a
county prison.
Waynesburg Borough is governed by elected members of Council. Residents and businesses also have the safety and welfare of having a full time police force consisting of a chief, lieutenant and patrolmen.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Department adds several deputies to the law enforcement.
Fire protection for the entire county is covered by volunteer firemen from various township and borough fire deparments.
Greene County is made up of 26 municipalities (20 Townships and 6 Boroughs). The largest municipality being
The governing body of Greene County Townships is composed of three supervisors who are elected at-large. Two additional supervisors may be elected if approved by referendum.
All are elected at-large for six-year terms.
Three County Commissioners constitute the chief governing body of the county.
Statutory authority of the commissioners is primarily of an administrative nature with legislative or policy-making powers.
The county commissioners are vested with selective policy-making authority to provide certain local services and facilities on a county-wide basis.
Administrative powers and duties of county commissioners encompass registration and elections, assessment of persons and property, human services, veterans' affairs, appointment of county personnel, fiscal management and website content.
County government is divided operationally into clearly defined departments; Law & Order, Recreation, Economic Development,
Human Services, Finance & Administration. Within each department there are boards made up of interested citizens who serve in advisory capacities, enhancing the public participation aspect of county operations. Government and politics:
As of the end of January 2010, there were 25,301 registered voters in Greene County:
Democratic: 16,751
Republican: 6,742
Other Parties: 1,808
State and County Officials include:
County Board of Commissioners:
Pam Snyder, Chair, Democrat
Dave Coder, Democrat
Archie Trader, Republican
Other County Officials:
Clerk of Courts, Shirley Stockdale, Democrat
Controller, David Balint, Democrat
Coroner, Greg Rohanna, Democrat
District Attorney, Marjorie J. Fox, Democrat
Prothonotary, Susan White, Democrat
Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills, Tom Headlee, Democrat
Sheriff, Richard Ketchem, Democrat
Treasurer, Cory Grandel, Democrat
State Representative:
H. William DeWeese, Democrat, 50th district
State Senator:
Barry Stout, Democrat, 46th District, which includes nearly all of Washington and Greene counties and part of Beaver County
(Stout announces his retirement after 40 years of service, click here for news article).
County Government Functionality and General Information:
What exactly goes on in the county courthouse?
Where do my county real estate taxes go?
How does the average citizen take advantage of programs offered by county government?
These questions are common to county commissioners all over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and here are some answers:
What is county government? -- Pennsylvania has 67 individual governmental units designated as counties. Counties are distinguished into one of two classes based on their population. The first number includes the more urban townships located in the state's metropolitan areas; the second class is generally rural. In townships of the first class, the governing body is made up of elected commissioners. There are either five commissioners elected at-large or up to 15 elected by wards. The commissioners have four-year overlapping terms.
The governing body of second class townships is composed of three supervisors who are elected at-large. Two additional supervisors may be elected if approved by referendum. All are elected at-large for six-year terms. Greene County townships fall into the second class category.
Unlike most other states, Pennsylvania's counties geographically overlap municipalities such as boroughs, townships and cities, but they provide a different set of services. Therefore, every Pennsylvanian is both a resident of their county and their city, borough or township at the same time.
Who Governs Greene County? -- like most counties are in Pennsylvania, Greene County is governed by a board of three County Commissioners elected every four years by the voters who live there. The Board of Commissioners oversee the entire operation of the County and represents the best interests of the citizens. Other officials are also elected to perform certain functions: the Controller, Treasurer, Coroner, Recorder of Deeds, Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, the Register of Wills/ Clerk of the Orphans' Court, Sheriff, District Attorney and Jury Commissioners. Under the direction of these officers, the county maintains important legal records such as real estate deeds, marriage licenses, adoption papers and court records. Different counties have different elected officials, depending on their class.
Counties are required by law to provide certain services to their citizens. Each county performs a wide range of different functions.
What are these required county functions?
Judicial administration, corrections and justice related activities: The Court of Common Pleas is administered by the county. Each county has one or more judges who are elected to sit on the bench and hear criminal and civil court cases. Counties support the courts with corrections and criminal justice programs such as the county prison, juvenile detention center, probation, and/or criminal investigation units.
Community development and environmental planning: Our county is closely involved in economic development and planning to improve our communities. Our county plays a role in locating a new economic growth and creating jobs, repairing or replacing bridges in a local municipality or planning for recreational facilities.
Greene County are also interested in protecting our environment. Taking responsibility for comprehensive land use planning, storm water management planning, and planning for the proper disposal of solid waste and recycling.
Public health and safety: Greene County works cooperatively with the Pennsylvania Health Department on medical issues.
Greene County has an emergency management (9-1-1) agency responsible for the creation and implementation of plans to respond and recover from emergencies such as storms, floods, explosions or other disasters. They also plan for what to do if hazardous materials are spilled or released into the environment and/or acts of terriorism.
Our county also provides 9-1-1 emergency dispatch service to everyone in the county, making sure the police, ambulance or fire companies get to where they are needed.
Public Welfare: Greene County, like other Pennsylvania counties, is required to provide protective services for children and youth; mental health and mental retardation programs; drug and alcohol awareness programs; and services for the aging. A large part of the funding for these programs comes from grants from the state and federal government. Each year counties help thousands of families in need of assistance.
Elections: Our County also oversees all elections, the basis of our democracy. We keep a registry of voters, ensure election equipment is in good working order and also that polling places are accessible to everyone who wants to vote.
Real Estate Tax Assessment: To fund all these important programs, our County relies on taxes based on the value of real estate in the community. Real estate includes the buildings and land of our homes and businesses. Your local city, borough or township, and your school district also rely on the real estate tax information.
Greene County has a commitment to their citizens. Our County is a very important part of our community. Contact your county commissioners to find out more about what your county is doing. Greene County Historical Overview:
The original inhabitants of Greene County were the Indian Sachem Six Nations (Iroquois Confederacy), and consisted of the following Indian peoples: Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and Tuscaroras. First permanent settlement is believed to have been the Swan-VanMeter-Hughes party from Virginia, in 1767. The first European inhabitants were a mix of English, Irish, Scotch, Scotch-Irish, and German.
The County has a rich and diverse history that can still be seen throughout the County, whether in the rural countryside, boroughs, or coal patch towns. Early industries in Greene County were mining and agriculture. Gas wells, coal mining, and wool production provided the early forms of income in Greene County. At one point the wool industry was so prosperous that the County was the first overall in total Merino wool production and was said to have more sheep than human inhabitants county-wide. Agriculture in Greene County:
The Agricultural Industry in Greene County yields multiple benefits to residents, the environment, and the economy. At the turn of the 20th century, Greene County was the largest producer of Merino wool in the country and today ranks as the fourth largest producer of sheep in the state. The agriculture industry continues to be a strong element contributing to the fiscal health of Greene County, as it provides jobs and contributes to an additional $3,542,962 into the economy. Besides the direct economic impacts, local farms enhance the local community and the region through their very presence. Land is preserved as open space that beautifies the landscape and maintains the rural character so prized by residents. This rural character is an attraction that draws tourists to an area, which can contribute to the local economy.
The future of the agricultural industry in Greene County will be strengthened through the development of niche markets driven by community-based development strategies. The County will provide progressive rural leadership and policies to support active farms. The quality of life for its farmers and their families will be sustained by conservation-based economic opportunities and agricultural diversification.
VIABLE FARMLAND:
Active Farms: The number of active farms has been increasing in Greene County. Since 1997, Greene County experienced a two percent increase in the number of farms. This indicates a strong interest of residents to maintain a working agricultural business. Additionally, the size of Greene County farms has also grown, which is a reflection of the desire to expand farm holdings. In fact, the average size of a farm in Greene County is larger than that of any comparison county in Southwestern Pennsylvania, with an average size of a farm at 161 acres.
Farmers Markets: The attraction of purchasing locally grown products can be substantiated with the success of the Waynesburg Farmers Market sponsored by Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful. This event features fruits, vegetables, meat products, baked goods, and jam/jellies/sauces that are prepared or grown by local farms. Initially started in 2005, attendance has grown over the years with an average spending per shopping group of $11.98. Customer satisfaction surveys revealed that shoppers frequent.
Mining in Greene County:
Bituminous coal mining began in 1902 and in recent years Greene County has been Pennsylvania’s highest producing county, nearly all from subsurface mines. Coal mining remains a strong factor of the character of Greene County.
Residential developments built around mining pursuits remain as small "patch towns" or villages. Examples of these can be seen throughout Southeastern Greene County, including Crucible, Nemacolin, Bobtown, and others. Unfortunately, the years of mining activity has left significant environmental and economic impacts. Environmental concerns include mine drainage, coal refuse piles, and abandoned coal structures.
The reported production for the active underground mines from in Greene County altogether, was over 37 million tons of coal were mined in 2004. Since 2004, Dunkard and Dilworth mines closed and 4-West Mine opened. Bailey and Enlow Fork remain two of the most productive coal mines in the United States. Each mine produced over 10 million tons of coal in 2004. While Bailey produced more than 11 million in 2005, Enlow Fork dropped to just under 10 million in 2005. Blacksville 2, Cumberland and Emerald mines each produced over five million tons of coal in 2004. Compared to 2005, Blacksville 2 remained consistent while both Emerald and Cumberland produced over 6 and 7 tons, respectively.
ACTIVE MINES:
Bailey Mine: is owned by Consol Energy, Inc. and is located in northwestern Greene County in Richhill and Gray Townships and crosses into Washington County. Coal is mined from the Pittsburgh Seam using two longwall systems and seven continuous mining machines. Continuous mining machines allow the coal to be mined in a continuous operation where one machine rips coal from the face and loads it directly into a hauling unit. Coal is transported to the surface and then processed in the Bailey Central Preparation Plant. Among the largest underground coal mines in the United States, Bailey produced 11.1 million tons of coal in 2005.
Blacksville 2 Mine: is owned by Consol Energy, Inc. and is located in southern Greene County in Gilmore, Jackson and Wayne Townships and then spans across the border into West Virginia. Coal is mined from the Pittsburgh Seam using one longwall system and three continuous mining machines. Coal is transported underground by conveyor belts to the preparation plant, located in northern West Virginia. Blacksville produced 5.3 million tons of coal in 2005.
Cumberland Mine: is owned by Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc. and is located approximately 12 miles south of Waynesburg in Perry, Whiteley, and Wayne Townships and has been in operation since 1977. All of the coal at the Cumberland Mine is processed through a preparation plant before being loaded onto Foundation Coal’s owned and operated railroad for transportation to the Monongahela River dock site.
At the dock site, coal is loaded into barges for transportation to river-served utilities or to other docks for subsequent rail shipment to non-river-served utilities. The mine can also ship a portion of its production via truck. Cumberland shipped 7.0 million tons of coal in 2005. As of December 31, 2005, Cumberland had an assigned reserve base of 102.3 million tons. Cumberland has approximately 611 salaried and hourly employees.
Emerald Mine: is owned by Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc. and is located approximately a half of a mile south of Waynesburg just north of the Cumberland Mine, in Center, Franklin and Whiteley Townships, and has been in operation since 1977. All of Emerald's coal is processed through a preparation plant before being loaded into unit trains operated by the Norfolk Southern Railroad or the CSX Railroad.
The mine also has the option to ship a portion of its coal by truck. Emerald shipped 6.7 million tons of coal in 2005. As of December 31, 2005, Emerald had an assigned reserve base of approximately 98.1 million tons of coal reserves. Approximately 577 salaried and hourly employees work at Emerald.
Enlow Fork Mine: is owned by Consol Energy Inc. and is located in the northwestern Greene County in Morris Township, though most of the mine is in Washington County. Coal is mined from the Pittsburgh Seam using two longwall systems and six continuous mining machines. Coal is transported to the surface by conveyor belts and is processed in the Bailey Central Preparation Plant that can fully wash coal. Enlow Fork is one of the largest underground coal mines in the United States and, in 2005, produced 9.8 million tons of coal.
I-79 Undermining: Beginning in September 2004, Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc. began conducting longwall-mining operations in the Cumberland and Emerald Mines in Greene County underneath segments of Interstate 79 south of Waynesburg. The undermining should be complete in 2009.
PA DEP provides detailed information on the mining operations, including, regularly updated reports on the progress of the undermining, click here for their website.
INACTIVE MINES:
Dooley Run Mine: The Dooley Run Mine is owned by Dana Mining Company and is located in Dunkard Township. The mine was shut down due to the rising Shannopin Mine pool, which flooded the reserves. The Dooley Run Mine was operating in the Sewickley coal seam about 100 feet above the Pittsburgh seam. The remediation of the Shannopin Mine will allow Dana Mining Company to reopen the Dooley Run Mine and expand other mining operations in the area.
Shannopin Mine: The Shannopin Mine is located near the village of Bobtown in Dunkard Township. The Shannopin Coal Company operated the Shannopin mine from the 1926 until 1993, when Shannopin filed bankruptcy and abandoned the mine. The Commonwealth forfeited and demolished hazardous surface structures and bridges and seal mine portal openings. Diversified Energy Ventures, Inc. bought the property out of bankruptcy in 1993. In 2003, through a combined effort of Pennsylvania state agencies and the Dana Mining Company, a plant was constructed to pump and treat the Shannopin polluted mine pool. The treatment plant prevented mine water from discharging and polluting Dunkard Creek and the Monongahela River.
Underground Mines: All active mines in Greene County utilize either the room and pillar or the longwall method, which are both underground techniques. As of March of 2007, there are eight (8) active deep mines located in Greene County, listed below:
Bailey (Longwall) Mine in Richill, Gray, and Aleppo Townships (Consolidation Coal Co.)
Blacksville No. 2 (Longwall) Mine in Jackson, Wayne, and Whiteley Townships (Consolidation Coal Co.)
Cumberland (Longwall) Mine in Center, Greene, Franklin, Perry, Wayne and Whiteley Townships (Foundation Coal Co.)
Crawdad Portal B (Room and Pilar) Mine in Dunkard and Perry Townships (Dana Mining Company of PA, Inc.)
4-West (Room and Pilar) Mine in Dunkard Township (Dana Mining Company of PA, Inc.)
Emerald No. 1 (Longwall) Mine in Center, Franklin, and Whiteley Townships and Waynesburg Borough (Foundation Coal Co.)
Enlow Fork (Longwall) Mine in Richhill and Morris Townships (Consolidation Coal Co.)
Titus (Room and Pilar) Mine in Dunkard Township (Dana Mining Company of PA, Inc.)
The room and pillar method involves the excavation of coal from large “rooms” but leaves intervening “pillars” of coal to hold up the roof. The disadvantage to this method is that only about 40 percent of the original coal is extracted; the rest remains in the mine as pillars and is essentially lost. The Dana Mining Company of Pennsylvania, Inc. (Dana) is the only active mining company in Greene County that utilizes this method.
In contrast, the longwall method of coal mining is much more effective, thus, has become more commonplace for coal extraction. For longwall mining, a single block of coal, which can exceed 1,000 feet wide and 10,000 feet long, is isolated and mined along the short side, using equipment that continuously shears off the coal face across the entire width of the block. Following each pass across the operating face, the mining equipment is advanced forward in preparation for making a new cut. As forward progress is made, all of the coal is extracted and the mine roof is allowed to collapse in a carefully controlled manner. Longwall mining is especially efficient and can produce a large amount of coal in a short period of time in areas where the coal bed is sufficiently thick and continuous.
Surface Mines: Once known as strip mining, surface mining is accomplished by removing overburden from the coal seam and then blasting and removing the coal. As a method of coal extraction, surface mining accounts for about 60 percent of coal production in the United States, though it accounts for very little in Greene County. Surface mining is as much a land reclamation process as it is a method of coal extraction.
In time, reclaimed sites can be returned to many productive uses such as recreation areas, golf courses, wildlife preserves, parks, farms, wetlands, housing developments and pastures. As of March 2007, there were three active strip mines in Greene County: two in Greene Township (the Minor Mine and the Keener Surface Mine) and one in Morgan Township (the Mather Strip).
United Mine Workers Coal Heritage Park:
Building upon the history of coal mining in Greene County, the County in collaboration with the United Mine Workers, have received a First Industries Tourism grant to establish a nationally significant Coal Heritage Park that that would be co-located with the UMWA Training Center. The grant paid for a study, released in April of 2008 by Economics Research Associates, that evaluated the market potential for such an attraction in Greene County. A second report is due that will focus on the financial and economic analyses portions of the study and implementation recommendations.
The proposed site for the UMWA Training Center and Coal Heritage Park is the old Gateway mine portal, land, and buildings near Ruff Creek. Ruff Creek is located off Interstate 79 in Greene County, 30 miles from West Virginia and 40 miles from Pittsburgh. The Park will require a building of roughly 44,000 square feet; of which 24,000 would be devoted to exhibits. There would be additional outside exhibits, including relocated coal patch structures. Preliminary cost estimates are around $23.9 million (2008 dollars). Initial concepts for Park exhibits include a mining timeline that will simulate a coal mine (lighting, temperature, smells, machinery, etc.) and a recreation of a company town and Company Store. The center will also house a museum store and a food court
The Coal Heritage Park project, if fully developed, would be a regional draw and potentially a national draw for southwestern Pennsylvania. The project would generate significant demand for overnight accommodations and would draw tourists from well outside a 100-mile radius of the proposed site. It would employ several people for the technology integrated into the Coal Heritage Park, developers, machine operators, management and marketing staff would additionally be required. Additionally it would provide a range of opportunities for small businesses to engage in activities around and in the park and provide additional minimum wage jobs on an on-going basis related to operational aspects of the park. Greene County Railroad Legacy: Source: www.narrowtracks.com by Arron Marcavitch
The Waynesburg and Washington Railroad was a 28 mile 3 foot gauge subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad. From the 1870's through the 1920's the line served its namesake towns in Southwestern Pennsylvania (often referred to as the Wayynie). After the 1930's, the line did struggle on, but mostly on paper. Today, all that remains from the railroad's heyday is one locomotive, a few stations, and a few images.
However, Greene County owes a lot to the Waynesburg and Washington Railroad because the rail system gave the county an opportunity to grow. By missing the western parts of the county, it continued to keep that portion hidden from progress. The east had already grown from the river and the railroad supported the central section. Its beginnings were started because of the boom in oil and gas. Coal was already being mined on the eastern end of the county near the river. This railroad helped all the natural resource industries to grow and caused the increase in population in Waynesburg.
The Waynesburg and Washington Railroad ran between the county seats of Washington and Greene Counties. It was first conceived by John Day in 1874. The charter was signed in 1875 and work began in August of that year. It was to be a three foot narrow gauge line, because of the current inclination toward the building of those types of lines and because they were cheaper to build.
The line had fallen by the wayside around the time of the Great Depression. Passenger service was decided to be canceled on July 9, 1929. There were rail truck services to the towns along the line until 1976, when the ownership passed to Conrail. The line is now used up for a portion as a rail link to a local coal mine. The other portions of the line are now abandoned. The line itself ran in crazy horseshoes and prompted many who rode the line to say that the "Waynie" had been designed by a snake.
The line stretched out for twenty eight miles. Horseshoe Curve, named for the more famous one near Altoona, was an astounding 35 degrees, or 164 feet radius. The line rose from 900 feet above sea level at Waynesburg, the low point, to just above 1400 feet above sea level at Summit about four miles south of Washington. There were points where locomotives had a climb of 200 feet in less than two miles. This combination made for travel on the line quite grueling.
Because of both of these facts there were never any locomotives with greater than six driving wheels. There were Moguls on the line in later times, but these had to have the center drivers blind. This made for an interesting rolling stock and mainline.
Waynesburg was the southern terminus. This was the main yard for the line and had a roundhouse, turntable, freight house, stockyard, all the associated yard structures for locomotives, and of course the station. The station was built in 1885 and the two track train shed was built in 1893. By 1904, the station had a long freight room, waiting room, ticket office, and the railroad's offices.
The Downey House and the Walton House both had porters that met every train and shouted the name of their respective hotels. They toted luggage the several blocks uptown to the hotels.
When war broke, Company K would all pile into the coaches at the station to ride to Washington and then on to Pittsburgh. After the line started failing, the yard was torn up and the station was passed on to a local wool dealer and then to the county road department. The yard was completely gone by the 1980's, and the station was near collapse. In the late 80's, the station was torn down; Conrail now has an office and a siding in this spot.
Greene County's Early Railroad Stations:
The next station down the line was named Buchannon or West Waynesburg. This was the location of the tin mill, now the livestock auction. This was as far as the line went for a time until the South Waynesburg station was completed. A small industrial complex surrounded the tin mill. The station was a simple Pennsylvania Railroad shelter, more or less like a bus stop shed.
Rees' Mill Station was another simple stop. Very nearly nothing remains at this site.
Sycamore Station was next. The station was a freight room, waiting room and wash house. It was interconnected by a platform with the general store. The site is much changed today, but there is a post office approximately where the station was located. Sycamore is a small town that has grown since the railroad first went through.
Swarts Station is one of the few structures left standing. It had a freight and waiting room and was slightly raised by sone blocks. The station is now moved moved up above where it was originally built and is used as a storage shed.
Iams Station is still remaining, although its use is uncertain; but was probably freight and waiting and served the surrounding farms.
Deer Lick Station, no longer standing; though nothing much is known about the station, it is above a small town in Greene County.
West Union is a slight bigger town and is at the top of the smaller of two summits. The station was a covered freight shelter with a small telephone booth, and located below the West Union United Presbyterian Church.
The last station in Greene County is Dunn's Station, which does not exist today, but was a larger type structure that served as a post office and store in later years. The remnants are still next to the road and the bents for the trestle are moldering away in the brush.
At one point in time, plans were made to run a train from Waynesburg through Spraggs to end in Blacksville, West Virginia. The grading was done as far as Spraggs, but no further progress was made, the reminants of the grading for the rails is still visible today in various spots along Route 218 from Waynesburg to Spraggs.
For more information about the Waynesburg and Washington Narrow Tracks, click here.
Today's date is:
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
About Greene County:
Greene County being located in the southwestern most corner of Pennsylvania, is considered the cornerstone of the keystone state. Greene County is 89.2 percent rural; with a population of about 41,000 residents; and a land area of 579 square miles. The countyseat for Greene County is within the Borough of Waynesburg, located at exit 14 of interstate 79, about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh.
