Overview & Orientation
Mount Pleasant is in southern Westmoreland County, about 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The name covers two municipalities: Mount Pleasant Borough, the historic town center, and Mount Pleasant Township, a larger, mostly rural township next to it. The area is known for its Main Street historic district, its coal, coke, and glass heritage, the Mount Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival, Mammoth Park, the Coal & Coke Trail, Frick Hospital, and the Mount Pleasant Area School District.
Where Mount Pleasant Is
- County: Westmoreland County
- Mount Pleasant Borough: Laid out in 1797 and incorporated in 1828. About 1 square mile, ZIP code 15666. See Mount Pleasant Borough.
- Mount Pleasant Township: First settled in 1770 and about 55 square miles. It includes the villages of Bridgeport, Calumet, Hecla, Kecksburg, Mammoth, Norvelt, Standard, United, and others. See Mount Pleasant Township.
- ZIP codes: 15666 for the borough and much of the area, plus 15664 (Mammoth) and 15674 (Norvelt) in parts of the township
- Water: Jacobs Creek flows past Mount Pleasant toward Scottdale and the Youghiogheny River.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| New Stanton | 10–15 minutes |
| Greensburg | 20–30 minutes |
| Irwin | 20–30 minutes |
| Latrobe | 30–40 minutes |
| Monroeville | 35–45 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 50–60 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 70–80 minutes |
A Brief History
Andrew McCready laid out the town in 1797 where two Native American paths crossed. Those paths are now Routes 31 and 819. The 1755 Braddock expedition road passed the west end of the future town, and Route 31 follows the old Glades Road, where an inn was licensed in 1793.
In 1801, the Jacob’s Creek Bridge at the township’s southwest corner became the first iron-chain suspension bridge in the United States, and that area is still called Iron Bridge. Mount Pleasant later grew with the region’s coal and coke industry. Bryce Brothers began making glass here in 1850, and L.E. Smith Glass started in 1907 and ran until 2004.
Norvelt, in the township, was founded in 1934 as a New Deal homestead community and renamed in 1937 for Eleanor Roosevelt. See Norvelt history.
Notable Landmarks
- Mount Pleasant Historic District: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, covering 65 acres and 268 contributing buildings along Main, Church, Eagle, Walnut, and College Streets
- Samuel Warden House: An 1886 Second Empire house at 200 South Church Street, listed on the National Register
- Shupe Steam Grist Mill and Penn Theater: Historic district buildings from 1843 and 1937
- Doughboy Statue and Veterans’ Park: On Diamond Street, home of the town’s veterans wall and festival grounds
- Mammoth municipal building: The township’s offices occupy the former boiler and lamp house of the Mammoth No. 1 Mine.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Historic borough: The historic district’s buildings date from about 1812 to 1948, in Italianate, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival styles.
- Log and early homes: A historic house tour has featured log houses from the late 1700s and industrialists’ mansions from the early 1900s.
- Norvelt Houses: Norvelt was built with 254 one-and-a-half-story Cape Cod homes, still known locally as Norvelt Houses.
- Patch towns: Many homes in Mammoth and along Poker Road began as coal company housing.
- Rural township: Much of the township is open and rural, with homes on larger lots.
Types of Homes
Housing ranges from historic homes in the borough to Cape Cods in Norvelt, homes in the township’s villages, and rural properties with more land.
Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Mount Pleasant Township or homes for sale in Mount Pleasant Borough.
Schools
Public Schools
Mount Pleasant is served by the Mount Pleasant Area School District, with offices at 271 State Street, (724) 547-4100. The district serves Mount Pleasant Borough and Township and Donegal Borough and Township.
- Norvelt Elementary School (K–3), 163 Lilac Lane
- Donegal Elementary School (K–3), Jones Mills
- Ramsay Elementary School (4–6), 300 Eagle Street
- Mount Pleasant Area Junior High School (7–8), 265 State Street
- Mount Pleasant Area High School (9–12), 265 State Street
Elementary assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Westmoreland County Community College (Youngwood)
- University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (Hempfield Township)
- Seton Hill University (Greensburg)
For school performance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Future Ready PA Index and the district’s own website. School assignments can change. Confirm directly with the district.
Getting Around
Major Roads
- PA Route 31: Runs east and west through the borough on Main Street, with Interstate 70 to the west and the Turnpike’s Donegal interchange to the east
- PA Route 819: Runs north and south through the borough on Diamond Street and through the township
- U.S. Route 119: An expressway on the borough’s west side, running north about five and a half miles to the Turnpike and Interstate 70 at New Stanton
Public Transit
Westmoreland County Transit runs a weekday Mount Pleasant–Pittsburgh Flyer, along with local routes to Greensburg, Youngwood, New Stanton, and Scottdale. A park-and-ride is at Countryside Plaza. Call (724) 834-9282 for schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
The borough’s Main Street, library, parks, and historic district sit close together, while the township is mostly car-oriented. For ratings, enter a specific address at Walk Score. The Coal & Coke Trail runs about 6 miles from West Main Street to Scottdale.
Things to Do
Parks & Trails
Borough parks are listed on the borough parks page.
Frick Park
At the end of Etze Avenue, with softball, basketball, and volleyball, a walking track, a playground, and two pavilions.
Veterans’ Park
On South Diamond Street across from the Doughboy Statue, with a veterans wall, fountain, and gazebo. It hosts the annual festival.
Willows Park
Three rentable pavilions and soccer and baseball fields.
Mammoth Park
A 408-acre county park in the township with a stocked lake, a giant slide, disc golf, and a skate park. It was the county’s first park.
Coal & Coke Trail
A paved and crushed-stone trail along Jacobs Creek to Scottdale, opened in 2007.
Recreation
- Neighborhood parks: Satcho Park, Medic 10 Park, and Jack Bobb’s Park have play areas and basketball courts, and the Ramsay Tennis Courts are in the borough.
- Mammoth Park: Fishing, disc golf, and the giant slide complex
- Coal & Coke Trail: Walking, running, and biking
Annual Events
- Mount Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival (late September): A free festival with glassmaking demonstrations, a Main Street parade, KidsFest, and fireworks, marking the town’s industrial heritage
- Mammoth Fest (June): Held at Mammoth Park
- Halloween: Borough trick-or-treat and the fire department’s Halloween parade
See the borough events page for current dates.
Dining & Shopping
- Main Street: Shops, restaurants, and services in the historic district
- Countryside Plaza: A shopping plaza that is also a park-and-ride stop
- Greensburg and New Stanton: Larger shopping 10 to 30 minutes away
Library
The Mount Pleasant Public Library is at 120 South Church Street, (724) 547-3850. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Local Services & Resources
Mount Pleasant Borough Office
1 Etze Avenue, Mount Pleasant, PA 15666
Phone: (724) 547-6745
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: mtpleasantboro.com
Council meetings: 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. See the website for dates.
Mount Pleasant Township Office
208 Poker Road, Mammoth, PA 15664
Phone: (724) 423-5653
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: mtpleasanttwp.com
Supervisors’ meetings: The third Monday of each month at 3 p.m.
Utilities
- Trash: Republic Services in both the borough and the township. See borough services.
- Water and sewer: Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, (724) 755-5800
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Borough police: Mount Pleasant Borough Police, at 1 Etze Avenue. The borough asks residents to call 911 for police issues.
- Township: Contact the township office at (724) 423-5653 for questions about police coverage.
- Fire: Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, (724) 547-8501
- EMS: Mount Pleasant EMS (Medic 10), 100 East Main Street, (724) 547-4620
Hospitals Nearby
- Frick Hospital, 508 South Church Street, Mount Pleasant, with an emergency department
- Westmoreland Hospital (Greensburg)
Permits & Zoning
In the borough, building permits go through K2 Engineering, (724) 812-5472, and zoning, fence, and sign permits go through the borough office. See the zoning and permits page. In the township, call (724) 423-5653 before starting a renovation, fence, deck, or addition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Mount Pleasant, PA in?
Mount Pleasant is in Westmoreland County, about 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
What is the difference between Mount Pleasant Borough and Mount Pleasant Township?
The borough is the historic town center, about 1 square mile. The township is a separate, mostly rural municipality of about 55 square miles next to it.
What school district serves Mount Pleasant?
The Mount Pleasant Area School District, which serves the borough, the township, and Donegal Borough and Township.
How long is the drive from Mount Pleasant to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 50 to 60 minutes. Traffic varies by time of day.
When is the Mount Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival?
Each year in late September, with a parade, glassmaking demonstrations, and fireworks. Check the borough website for dates.
Is there a hospital in Mount Pleasant?
Yes. Frick Hospital is at 508 South Church Street and has an emergency department.
What parks are near Mount Pleasant?
Frick Park, Veterans’ Park, and Willows Park in the borough, plus Mammoth Park in the township and the Coal & Coke Trail.
Where is the Mount Pleasant library?
The Mount Pleasant Public Library is at 120 South Church Street, (724) 547-3850.
Where are the borough and township offices?
The borough office is at 1 Etze Avenue, (724) 547-6745. The township office is at 208 Poker Road, Mammoth, (724) 423-5653.
Thinking About a Move to Mount Pleasant?
Whether you are buying in Mount Pleasant or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Mount Pleasant listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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