GREENE COUNTY LOCATION/GEOGRAPHY & MUNICIPALITY FORMATION
COUNTY LOCATION
Greene County's location and topographic features can be briefly stated; it is situated in the extreme southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, and is bounded on the north by Washington County, on the east by the Monongahela River which separates it from Fayette County, on the south by West Virginia, and the western extremity of the Mason and Dixon's line forming the dividing boundary, and on the west by West Virginia, known as the Panhandle. Greene County is considered the cornerstone of the keystone state.
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 40,000+ residents. The county seat for Greene County is within the Borough of Waynesburg, located at exit 14 of Interstate 79, about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh. Click here for driving directions to Greene County.
It contains within these limits 389,120 square acres of surface, or about 578 square miles. The surface is drained by the Monongahela River, which unites with the Allegheny at Pittsburgh and forms the Ohio proper, and by the Wheeling River which also falls into the Ohio, and forms part of the great Mississippi.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 578 square miles (1,497 km˛), of which, 576 square miles (1,491 km˛) of it is land and 2 square miles (5 km˛) of it (0.36%) is water.
The watershed which separates the waters of the Mon River from the Wheeling system, commences at a point on the Washington County line a little north and east (near the northern extremity of Morris Township), and pursues a southwesterly course cutting a small section of the eastern portion of Richhill Township, striking Jackson Township at a point near the intersection of Jackson and Center Townships.
GREENE COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and towns. Greene County is made up of 26 municipalities (20 Townships and 6 Boroughs).
The largest municipality being Franklin Township with a population of 7,694 (2004 U.S. Consensus stat).
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.
Click on any municipality from the map below for detailed information:
GREENE COUNTY TIMELINE/TOWNSHIP FORMATION HISTORY
Greene County was established when Washington County was divided into two Counties through an act of the Legislature. The southern portion became Greene County, named after General Nathanael Greene and consisted of 578 square miles. Waynesburg, the county seat, named for Major General Anthony Wayne, was laid out in 1796, and incorporated as a borough on January 29, 1816.
Colonel John Minor is considered the "Father of Greene County" because he sponsored the bill that made the division of Washington County a reality.
The following chart shows the timeline for our municipality formations:
* These townships were formed after Washington County was formed in 1781.
Source of this township formation information was provided by Thomas (Tom) Headlee, Alvah J.W. Headlee, Dorothy T. Hennen, & Grace A. Glennen.
Also an assis from Crumrine's History of Washington County, PA and Caldwell's 1876 Greene County Atlas.
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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
