Carmichaels is a historic center for Greene County coal country
Carmichaels is one of Greene County's most historic communities; nearly a century before it became a borough, it was already called “Old Town.” Fieldstone buildings and a covered bridge from the 1700s and 1800s sprinkle small-town blocks, surrounded by the rural forests, farms and recreation areas of Cumberland Township. As has been true for generations, Carmichaels’ preeminent cultural events, careers and community spaces still revolve around the biggest industry in the keystone state’s cornerstone county: bituminous coal mining. “There is still a decent amount of coal miners in this area, and it gives a lot of people a good life. But, you’re also only 20 minutes from Interstate 79, an hour from Pittsburgh and even closer to Morgantown,” says Amber Harbarger, a Realtor with Re/Max Select Realty who specializes in southwestern Pennsylvania and was born and raised in the area. “Carmichaels is the kind of close-knit place where people really know each other and live for their whole lives.”
Historic single-family homes surrounded by rural countryside
Carmichaels is a gridded, small-town center of single-family homes surrounded by Cumberland Township’s gently rolling countryside and the run of Muddy Creek. Older pockets of the borough offer American Foursquares, National and Victorian homes built in the early 1900s. Cape Cods dominate blocks developed closer to the midcentury, with ranch-style and bi-level homes becoming popular into the 1970s. Although lots are typically suburban in size, buyers can find the occasional small acreage, especially on the borough’s outskirts. Prices usually range from around $70,000 to $320,000, but extreme fixer-uppers can go for less.
Shopping and dining in Carmicheals’ quiet downtown
An American flag flaps in Carmichaels’ town square, the center of the borough’s sleepy downtown. At the corner of George and Market streets, the Hartley Inn is a go-to spot for casual diner atmosphere, comfort food specials and homemade baked goods. Press On Bakes & Brews specializes in gluten-free recipes just across the street, a short walk from the local florist and hair salon. Pappy’s Lounge and Carmichaels American Legion Post 400 offer spots to grab a drink and chat at the bar. Circle K and Dairy Queen also pepper the borough between the bank, post office, fire hall and library. Dollar General and Shop ‘n Save are farther down state Route 88 for groceries. Several churches hold services throughout the community, including Saint Hugh Roman Catholic Church.
Attending the Carmichaels Area School District
Carmichaels is served by the Carmichaels Area School District. Carmichaels Area Elementary Center earns a C from Niche, as does Carmichaels Area Middle School. Carmichaels Area Senior High School also scores a C. High schoolers can enroll in four career pathways to take coursework that explores vocations like health science and technology.
Carmichaels' parks, historic cultural centers and rural recreation
Walking paths wind around Wana B Park’s baseball fields, sports courts and playground. An 18-hole course rolls along the hills of Carmichaels Golf Club. The Flenniken Public Library was once a home. A mural of coal miners covers one of its exterior brick walls next to the Carmichaels Community Garden. The Greene Academy of Art, a former college built at the turn of the 19th century, has become a hub for art classes, summer concerts and the crafty, autumnal Carmichaels Covered Bridge Festival. The Carmichaels Activity Center hosts programs for seniors, including many concerts and social dances. Boaters can get into the Monongahela River from a launch near the Masontown Bridge, roughly 10 minutes from home.
Parades, firefighters and carnival festivities at the King Coal Show
For over 70 years, coal miners, community members and Carmichaels’ local institutions have celebrated the region’s industrial heritage at the annual King Coal Show. "It’s a week-long celebration, it starts with a pageant and the crowning of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Queen,” Harbarger says. "There are a few parades: a bike parade for kids to decorate their rides uptown, a pet parade and one where the fire departments, cheerleaders and marching bands come in from all these Greene County towns. All week at the fire hall, they have live entertainment, coal history displays and a little carnival out back.” Neighbors meet in the high school football stadium stands to close the festivities, settling in for a fireworks display.
Commuting to Greene County hubs, Morgantown and Pittsburgh
Multiple underground coal mines and related preparation facilities are 30 to 40 minutes from Carmichaels, operated by big Greene County employers like Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company and Iron Senergy. UPMC Greene, the nearest hospital, is about 12 miles away in the county seat of Waynesburg. Morgantown is about 25 miles south, and Pittsburgh is roughly 60 miles north. While Morgantown Regional Airport offers daily flights to Chicago and Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh International Airport has more commercial flights.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
