Charleroi

History

Charleroi got its name from the Belgian city of Charleroi. Many Belgian immigrants lived in the Monongahela area at the end of the 19th century, some of whom were glass makers. The Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, now PPG Industries, had one of its major factories located at the current chamber plaza, at one point employing up to a thousand employees, making it one of the largest glass factories in the world at the time. For years it was the home to one of Corning Glass Companies leading employers. It is home to Corelle Brands, which makes Pyrex. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Pyrex products, Charleroi renamed itself "Pyrex, PA" for 100 days in 2015. Charleroi was home to one of the first movie theatres in the nation, the Electric Theatre at 520 McKean Avenue, which opened in October 1905 and has since been demolished. The Charleroi Historic District, First National Bank of Charleroi and United States Post Office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2020, Paul Magnette, mayor of Charleroi (Belgium) visited the town that was founded by migrants from his city.

Geography

Charleroi is located at (40.138088, -79.901333). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The total area is 10.47% water. Charleroi has four land borders, including North Charleroi to the north, Speers to the southwest, Twilight to the south, and Fallowfield Township to the west. Across the Monongahela River to the east, Charleroi runs adjacent with Rostraver Township in Westmoreland County.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  5,592
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  5,101
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  4,689
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  4,480
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  3,953
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  3,839
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  3,627
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  3,559

Most recent

• M 2.5 — 2024-09-11
  4 km WNW of Claysville, Pennsylvania
• M 2.9 — 2020-10-06
  5 km WSW of Bolivar, Pennsylvania