Monroeville, PA

Monroeville was originally called Patton Township in 1770, when early settlers flocked to the area. The city was renamed Monroeville in 1851. An increasing number of roads, along with the advent of the automobile, made Monroeville more popular than ever in the early 20th century, and that popularity increased even more with the development of shopping centers and hospitals. As the centuries have worn on, log cabins and hundreds of residents have transformed into more modern housing and a population of nearly 30,000.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Nearly 90 percent of Monroeville's jobs are in the private sector, which includes the goods-producing and service industries. About 10 percent of the city's jobs are in the public sector; 7 percent are with local government, 2 percent with federal government and less than 1 percent with state government. The breakdown of the major industries in Monroeville is as follows:

• Of the private-sector jobs in the area, 11 percent have to with producing goods, while 79 percent are in the service industry.
• About 20 percent of private-sector jobs in Monroeville are in the education and health-care industries.
• Transportation, trade, and utilities jobs make up nearly 18 percent of the city's employment opportunities.
• About 16 percent of jobs deal in the professional and business services industry.
• Manufacturing makes up about 6 percent of Monroeville jobs.
• Construction makes up 5 percent of jobs in the area.

Monroeville is home to the international headquarters of Westinghouse Electric Company, a provider of fuel, services, technology, plant design, and equipment for the commercial nuclear electric power industry.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Monroeville is located just 13 miles east of the city of Pittsburgh. All of the population is urban. The Municipality of Monroeville offers all the resources of major metropolitan areas with a small-town residential atmosphere.

The population in the city of Monroeville is composed of middle- to upper-income singles, middle-income suburban couples and older suburban couples with grown children. The neighborhoods in the city of Monroeville offer various kinds of houses, including condos, single-family homes and one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments.

FAMILY FUN

Parks: Monroeville features 21 city parks, most of which have sport courts, ball fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, swimming pools and picnic areas.

Alpine Park Trail: One of the premier trails in Monroeville, the Alpine Park Trail provides about a half mile of steep hills, unique views and plenty of wildlife.

Monroeville Action Skate Park: This free facility is full of ramps, pipes, rails, jumps and tracks, and is suitable for beginning and advanced skateboarders, in-line skaters and bikers.

Monroeville Community Pool: This pool is open during the summer months and features a heated pool, a diving board, a wading pool, play areas, volleyball and basketball courts, and picnic areas.

SHOPPING

Monroeville Mall: This more than 1-million-square-foot mall features 150 stores and restaurants, with four major anchor stores.

Miracle Mile Shopping Center: Located about a mile away from the Monroeville Mall, this shopping center boasts more than 40 stores and restaurants.

Mosside Plaza: This shopping area features more than 15 stores, from video rental stores and barbershops to legal services and health care.

Holiday Center: Located on the William Penn Highway, this area is popular for its smaller specialty shops and big-box stores alike.

Plaza on Mall Boulevard: This area features everything from pet-supply stores and bookstores to mail services and numerous restaurants.

Jonnet Plaza: Customers visit this shopping center when they need party supplies, inexpensive decor, a manicure or even dinner.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Historic areas: Monroeville is full of historic buildings that draw tourists and residents alike. The McGinley House is the oldest stone house in the area, having been built around 1850. The McCully Log House is another old attraction, built in the early 19th century, while Old Stone Church was constructed in 1834. These historic buildings are open to the public and feature authentic artifacts from the nineteenth century.

Monroeville Public Library: This library offers plenty of research opportunities, free programs for residents, and a gallery space in which local and national artists display their work.

EDUCATION

Community College of Allegheny County-Boyce Campus: This campus is one of four for the community college and has been located in Monroeville for more than 40 years. It offers a variety of associate's degrees and has more than 100 acres of space for academics, sports and physical-fitness activities.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania: This public university has three branches, one of which is in Monroeville. More than 100 degrees are available to undergraduate students, and the school offers about 40 graduate degrees.

The Western School of Health and Business-Monroeville: Located conveniently in the heart of Monroeville's shopping district, this school offers associate's degrees in several health-care fields.

SPORTS TEAMS

The proximity of Monroeville to Pittsburgh (just ten miles away) makes rooting for the bigger city's sports teams popular. The following teams are based in Pittsburgh:

• Baseball: Pittsburgh Pirates, Central Division team of the National League of Major League Baseball
• Hockey: Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlantic Division team of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League
• Football: Pittsburgh Steelers, North Division team of the American Football Conference of the National Football League

Area residents also root for college sports teams. The Monroeville campus of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania has about 20 sports teams in the NCAA Division II. The teams are referred to as the Crimson Hawks, and the football team is known for being consistently good.