Overbrook

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OVERBROOK HISTORY

The community of Overbrook, called Fairhaven in its early existence, descended from Baldwin Township , which was the parent of nine other municipalities. The township was created at the request of area residents who then lived in the adjoining townships of Upper and Lower St. Clair, Jefferson, and Mifflin. Baldwin Township received its charter from the Allegheny court of Quarter Sessions and was surveyed by Stephen Woods, James Scott and William Kerr in 1843. Soon after the proposed territory of 10,446 acres was surveyed, the county court granted a subdivision. The new district took its name from Justice Henry Baldwin who had signed the legislation enacting its existence on February 24, 1844.

Prior to the arrival of white settlers, our area’s first residents were scattered groups of Delaware Indians who occupied the land and hunted in the woods of Baldwin . Arrow heads and tomahawk blades, along with other artifacts have been found within our boundaries.

Although white settlement began in and around Fairhaven as early as 1756, records of these endeavors are vague. The earliest of settlers to be documented in 1789 were John Varner, Jacob Crady, John Stewart, and William Wightman. There was a strong German element among the early population and this nationality predominates to the present. William Wightman purchased his property from local Indians in exchange for one metal ax and constructed a log residence in the vicinity of present day Maytide Street . His land bordered portions of what are now Saw Mill Run, Brownsville road, and Overbrook Blvd.