West Newton, Pennsylvania
West Newton is a borough of 2,621 people in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, founded in 1788.
Why visit West Newton
Townapedia lists 4 museums and landmarks, 7 parks and trails, 8 places to eat, 2 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Matthew Smelser Memorial Bridge, Sutersville Bridge, Bells Mills Covered Bridge and Dick Building.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 84°F; January lows average 20°F, and about 21 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in West Newton
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About West Newton
West Newton, located 24.5 miles (39.4 km) southeast of Pittsburgh, is a borough in Westmoreland County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Formerly, the manufacture of radiators and boilers were the chief industries. As of the 2020 census, West Newton had a population of 2,665.
From the Wikipedia article West Newton, Pennsylvania (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
Matthew Smelser Memorial Bridge
Bridge · 3.2 mi
Bridge in Pennsylvania
Sutersville Bridge
Bridge · 3.0 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Museums and landmarks4
Bells Mills Covered Bridge
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Covered bridge in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States
Dick Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Bank building in Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Household No. 1 Site
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Settlement site in Pennsylvania, United States of America
Plumer House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Historic house in Pennsylvania, United States
Parks, trails and playgrounds7
Restaurants and cafes8
Subway
Fast food · Sandwich
101 South Water Street, West Newton
Mo-Tu 09:00-22:00; We 09:00-20:00; Th-Su 09:00-22:00
History
The town traces its roots to 1788, when a group of American pioneers to the Northwest Territory led by Gen. Rufus Putnam traveled overland from Massachusetts and stopped at this location to build boats. They then set out down the Youghiogheny River to the Monogahela and Ohio Rivers, ending their journey and founding the town of Marietta, Ohio. Former names of the town are Simeral's Ferry (also, Sumrill's Ferry), Oswegly (Sewickley) Old Town, and Robbstown. Eighteen miners lost their lives in West Newton in 1901 at the Port Royal Mine.
The Dick Building and Plumer House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Like many pioneer towns in Western Pennsylvania, West Newton earned its early historical relevance by playing a key role in the westward expansion of the United States. The Simerals were the first family to operate in this area and operated a small ferry on the Youghiogheny River halfway between Connellsville and McKeesport. A New Jersey native and whiskey rebel named Isaac Robb, laid out the town of West Newton; however, it was originally called "Robbstown". The town grew slowly as the community served as a trading outpost where the Old Glades Indian trail met the Youghiogheny River.
From the History section of West Newton, Pennsylvania on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay2
Churches and places of worship5
Shopping2
Gas and EV charging1
Schools, colleges and libraries12
Healthcare1
Map of West Newton
45 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F | 20°F | 2.9 in | 5.7 in |
| Feb | 42°F | 22°F | 2.4 in | 7.2 in |
| Mar | 51°F | 29°F | 3.1 in | 4.6 in |
| Apr | 64°F | 38°F | 3.4 in | 0.1 in |
| May | 73°F | 49°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 81°F | 58°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 84°F | 62°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 84°F | 61°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 78°F | 54°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 66°F | 42°F | 3.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 54°F | 32°F | 2.8 in | 0.5 in |
| Dec | 43°F | 26°F | 2.9 in | 3.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Donora 1 Sw (6 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Westmoreland County has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2020-03-30: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2016-03-23: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2012-10-29: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
- 2010-04-16: Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms (Snowstorm)
- 2005-09-10: Hurricane Katrina (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Allegheny County Airport (AGC) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 13 miles away.
- Collinsburg 1 mi northwest, about 2 min by car
- Donora 5 mi west, about 8 min by car
- Monessen 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- Lynnwood-Pricedale 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- North Belle Vernon 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- Fairhope 7 mi southwest, about 12 min by car
- Greenock 8 mi north, about 12 min by car
- Monongahela 8 mi west, about 13 min by car
- Wickerham Manor-Fisher 8 mi west, about 12 min by car
- Elizabeth 8 mi northwest, about 12 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- West Newton Pennsylvania Main Street 2010, Canadian2006, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Plumer House West Newton, Canadian2006, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Station west newton pa 2011, Canadian2006, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Youghiogheny River at West Newton, Canadian2006, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Household No. 1 Site, southern portion, Nyttend, Public domain
- Bells Mill Bridge, Sewickley Creek, West Newton vicinity (Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania), Leo A. McMullen, Photographer, Public domain
- Westnewtondusk, VitaleBaby at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Smithtoni70bridge, VitaleBaby ( talk ) ( Uploads ), CC BY 3.0
- Collinsburg Concert Band, Titan069Wiki, CC0
- First Home of Collinsburg Band, Titan069Wiki, CC0
- Dick Building Cornerstone Building, Canadian2006, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Rail-Trail Hall of Fame (49710284542), daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0
- GAP next to Bed and Breakfast house (50537054693), daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0
- B&B Bike Barn (50537778991), daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0
- West Newtown, new GAP trail twon (50537054513), daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0
- GAP Mile Marker 115 (50537778836), daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0
- Entering Allegheny County (50537054323), daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0
- GAP Mile Marker 116 and fall foilage (50537928557), daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0
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