A Township With A Wealth Of History

Brownsville: A Rich History of Road, River, and Rail

A Township with a Wealth of History

Located at the westernmost tip of Fayette County, Brownsville is a one-square-mile riverfront town with a wealth of history. Its story is one of road, river, and rail contributions that greatly impacted the making of the United States.

A Crossroads of Transportation

Brownsville was founded in 1785 and quickly became a major transportation hub. The National Road, the first federally funded highway in the United States, passed through the town, connecting it to the East Coast. The Monongahela River also provided a vital waterway for trade and transportation.

In the 1850s, the arrival of the railroad further fueled Brownsville's growth. The town became a major stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, one of the most important railroads in the country. This led to the development of industries such as ironworks and coal mining.

Today, Brownsville is a thriving town with a population of over 500. Its rich history is evident in its many historic buildings and landmarks, including the Brownsville Bridge, which is the oldest surviving suspension bridge in the United States.