Connellsville, PA

?}	Connellsville, PA is a third class city of approximately 9,000 residents located in north central Fayette County, PA. Connellsville is situated on the Youghiogheny River at the western base of Chestnut Ridge.The city's downtown, Downtown Connellsville, is a large cluster of brick buildings, many of which are empty and poorly maintained, left over from the city's heyday as a capital of the Coal and Coke Boom of the early 20th century. The splash of wealth from that time can be seen in the city's stately Victorian homes, and churches featuring elaborate architecture.A steadfast element of Connellsville is the B & O Railroad that lines the eastern bank of the Youghiogheny River. A large rail yard is still in use near Arch Street. An Amtrak Station operates on the city's Water Street.Connellsville, PA's population has been in free fall since the 1960s as manufacturing jobs have largely vanished from the city and surrounding area. The Youghiogheny River Trail, a crushed limestone corridor of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, has brought hopes that tourism could spawn a rebirth for Connellsville, PA.Route 119 is a four lane artery running through Connellsville, PA, connecting it with the Uniontown, PA area to the south, and the Scottdale, PA / Mount Pleasant, PA area to the north. Other routes into the city include Route 711 that travels east over Chestnut Ridge, and Route 201 that travels west through Vanderbilt, PA and northwestern Fayette County, PA.
Demographics
?}	Connellsville, PA's largest employers are the Connellsville Area School District, and Highlands Hospital.
Geography
?}	Communities bordering Connellsville, PA include Connellsville Township, PA, Dunbar Township, PA, and South Connellsville, PA.
?}	Connellsville, PA straddles the Youghiogheny River and is at the western base of Chestnut Ridge, which is known locally as the start of the "mountains."
?}	Connellsville, PA is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. Quickest route (approximately 1 hour) to Pittsburgh, PA from the Connellsville, PA is Route 119 north, I-76 west, and I-376 west to downtown Pittsburgh, PA.
History
?}	Connellsville, PA was incorporated as a borough in 1806, but became a city after annexing the former borough of New Haven, PA in 1909. The former community of New Haven is now referred to as the "West Side of Connellsville", as it is west of the Youghiogheny River.
?}	The first newspaper published in Connellsville, PA was "The Connellsville Herald" in 1815. That venture soon folded and a second attempt was made in 1855 with "The Connellsville Enterprise," which changed its name to "The Fayette Patriot" in 1859 before succumbing to failure. "The Fayette Monitor and Youghioghenian" became the first permanent paper in Connellsville, PA that started April 12, 1870, its operations were later absorbed by "The Connellsville News" in 1898. On July 17, 1879 "The Keystone Courier" appeared that later dropped the "Keystone" to become "The Courier."
?}	Original roads for the 1806 Connellsville, PA borough were North to South: Water Street, Hill Alley (now Arch Street), Church Street (now Pittsburgh Street), and Prospect Street. East to West: South Alley, Grave Street (now Fairview Avenue), Spring Street (now Crawford Avenue), Apple Street, Peach Street, North Alley, and Mud Pike (now Breakneck Road).
Living
?}	Public education for Connellsville, PA is provided by the Connellsville Area School District.
?}	Utility companies serving Connellsville, PA include: Cable provided by Armstrong Cable Services Electric provided by Allegheny Power Natural Gas provided by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Phone (land line) service provided by Verizon Water provided by Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County
?}	External Web Link: Official Web Site for Connellsville, PA (City Government)
?}	Contact Information Connellsville, PA City Government 110 North Arch StreetConnellsville, PA 15425 Phone: 724-628-2020Fax: 724-628-2020
Transportation
?}	Connellsville, PA's major state roads are Route 119 (four lanes), Route 711 (Crawford Avenue), and Route 201. The city's main street is Pittsburgh Street. Other major roads include Arch Street, and Breakneck Road.