West Brownsville was once a core transportation center for the railroad lines.
A small neighborhood surrounded by resources
A small area, but one surrounded by resources, West Brownsville represents a borough of Washington County along the Monongahela River. This rural enclave is dotted with classic homes, and the region’s rolling green hills serve as a constant backdrop. The cities of Uniontown and Washington aren’t far away, either.
100-year-old homes with updates
Most of the homes in West Brownsville were built in the early-to-mid 20th century. “They’re all over 100 years old or around 100 years old,” says local Realtor Doug Burig of Keller Williams, who has been in real estate for over 30 years. Some of these homes have been rehabbed, adding fresh finishes to an existing structure, Burig notes. Houses in West Brownsville are a mix of ramblers and colonial-style homes that range from about 1,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet. Residences here fill a grid of quiet residential blocks, part of lots ranging from 2,000 square feet to close to an acre. Some of the houses in West Brownsville sit on waterfront property along the river, with docks out back. The borough’s homes usually come with price tags that start at around $50,000 and reach the high $100,000s.
This home along the river is colorfully painted, like many homes in West Brownsville.
A beautiful red roof adorns this single-family home in West Brownsville.
Residents of West Brownsville take great pride in decorating their homes for the holidays.
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A barge makes its way down the Monongahela River, past West Brownsville.
A 52-acre park in West Brownsville
One of West Brownsville's assets is the 52-acre Roadman Park, a sprawling facility with baseball, soccer, softball and rugby fields, plus tennis courts. The park features a picnic area, too, that includes four pavilions. Roadman is also the site of Adamson Stadium, the football stadium for nearby California University of Pennsylvania. West Brownsville residents can quickly hop across the Brownsville Bridge to reach the 467-acre Patsy Hillman Park, which has a fishing lake and trails, plus multiple more athletic fields. The Monongahela River is another fishing hotspot, for species like bass and catfish.
The best wings in the area
West Brownsville doesn’t have a lot of commercial spots, but there is a Walmart Supercenter here, convenient for groceries and other essentials. Rye’s Bar and Restaurant is a nearby option to grab a bite to eat, that’s popular for its wings, which were voted some of the best in the area in the Herald-Stanard’s Community Choice Awards. Locals also head to Uniontown and Washington for dining.
Ryes in West Brownsville has tasty food and a friendly staff.
The Vest Burger is a great choice at Ryes Restaurant in West Brownsville.
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Schools with career preparation
Kids in West Brownsville can attend schools in the Brownsville Area School District or the California Area School District. Students who live close to the river are zoned for the Brownsville Area schools and can start at Brownsville Area Elementary, which has a C-minus overall grade on Niche. The student-teacher ratio at Brownsville Area is 15-to-1, which is better than the national average. Brownsville Area Middle is next, which also has a C-minus rating and extracurricular offerings that include an Academic League. The C-rated Brownsville Area High offers the Fayette County Career and Technical Institute as an option, where students can receive instruction in everything from cosmetology to masonry. West Brownsville students who live farther north of the river fall into the California Area School District and can go to the B-minus-rated California Area Elementary for kindergarten to sixth grade, which has a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Then, students can progress to California Area Middle/High School, which has a B grade. Students here can utilize the Mon Valley Career & Technology Center, where there are courses in disciplines like agriculture technology, automotive technology, carpentry and computer engineering technology.
California Area Elementary School is a K-6 school graded B- by Niche.
Entrance to Brownsville Area Middle School.
Aerial shot of Brownsville Area High School.
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Public transportation is readily available in West Brownsville.
Use Route 40 to get to other cities
Route 40 is an artery drivers in West Brownsville can use for commutes toward either Uniontown or Washington, which are about 16 miles and 28 miles away, respectively. Route 43 also cuts through the area, which connects to Interstate 70. West Brownsville is a thoroughfare for rail transportation, too — a rail line runs right along the borough’s main street.
The Brownsville Bridge stands tall over the Monongahela River.
The world's longest festival
The National Road Pike Days Festival cuts by West Brownsville each spring. Held the third weekend of each May, this festival is known as the world’s longest festival, held along 90 miles of National Road, which is also known as Route 40. The festival takes place across Fayette, Somerset and Washington counties, and a train wagon bounces through towns along the route. One of the stops is the Frank L. Melega Art Museum in Brownsville, right across the Brownsville Bridge from West Brownsville.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Photography Contributed By
Jeffrey Muschar
Video By
Emily McNamara
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rob Hako,
an experienced agent in this area.
Discover the potential in this well-located 3-bedroom, 1-bath home offering ample space and classic character. With a traditional layout, generous room sizes, and solid structure, this property is ideal for buyers looking to add their personal touch. Some updates are needed and perfect for renovation or investment. Being sold as-is. Conveniently situated near shopping, schools, and
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