on the main line".H. Sellers McKee noted the waste of natural gas in the Grapeville field and decided to bring his glass making factories to this land from the Southside (Birmingham), Pittsburgh, to build a City.  On August 30, 1887, application was made for a charter for the Western Land and Improvement Company, which was granted in 1888.  About five hundred acres of land was purchased and engineers began at once to lay out the ground for factory and house sites.  Mr. McKee wished to honor his wifeby giving the new town her name, so it was named Jeannette.  The engineers laid out the Streets of the new town and named one after every one of the incorporators.  Early in June, 1888, the first public sale of lots was held.  Men and women came from near and far to attend, thus Jeannette was launched.

By the turn of the century, Jeannette's economy was centered around four glass manufacturing plants and the construction, trade and service activities needed by a growing community.  Following 1990, Jeannette's economy, rail service and the community's proximity to Pittsburgh brought additional, diversified industry to the area. The city soon grew to house seven glass companies and largest tableware glass factory in the world.  Today, Jeannette has a population of 9,500.

Originally dubbed the "Glass City", because it was founded on a glass manufacturing center, the diversification of the manufacturing and industry earned the City the proud title "An American Workshop".  As Jeannette became a leader in the glasswork industry it continued to heighten its innovations.  In the early 1900’s, Jeannette became the location of the first company to produce sheet glass. This process was established using the Lubbers cylinder machine.  Later the process was refined to the increase sturdiness and reduced the green tint of sheet glass.  This innovation proved to be highly influential and was adopted by the entire glass industry. In the mid 1900’s Jeannette became the home of the only glass factory that produced flat, plate, sheet, and patterned-rolled glass. Previously known as one of the world’s largest producers of glass, the industries that populated the city have gone through changing times and with the loss and merging of companies and now only two glass factories remain in Jeannette.

Jeannette also was home to other notable companies such as The Pennsylvania Rubber Works in 1903 and The Elliott Company (as it is known today) in 1914.  These two companies helped to increase Jeannette’s footprint as an industrial strength.  Products such as sports balls, gas masks, steam engines, and the first diesel-engine turbocharger became the fruits of their success.  Today Jeannette still thrives due to its industrial history.  With the assistance of the State and County, the city continues to maintain an industrial foothold where several former glass factories once stood.

The city hosts a considerable amount of annual parades and community activities.  In recent years, the city has become a mecca for local artists and musicians.  Furthering the unique culture in Jeannette, many former downtown businesses and department stores have been transformed in to antique galleries and loft apartments.  The City now boasts a modern, unique culture which allows the community to build a new identity while progressing into the future.