About Collier Township
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Collier Historical Society
Come and volunteer with the Collier Historical Society.
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History
Rich in history, Collier Township has grown from early settlements in the Walkers Mill and Ewingsville sections during the 1770’s, to a center for coal, limestone, oil and natural gas in the 1880’s, to today’s community that offers primer residential living with successful and sustaining commerce cores.
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What Makes Collier Township Special
Proud home of our nation’s Flag Day holiday, our community, Collier Township, was founded in June of 1875.
What Makes Collier Township Special
Proud home of our nation’s Flag Day holiday, our community – Collier Township – was founded in June of 1875. In our second century, the Township of Collier prides itself in being one of the region’s best communities to live, work and raise a family.
Located six miles southwest of Pittsburgh, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Collier is readily accessible, having its own exit from Interstate 79. Close proximity to the City of Pittsburgh enhances Collier Township’s quality of life. Residents take advantage of the cultural, business and higher education opportunities of a larger city, while also enjoying Collier’s excellent public safety, many convenient shopping districts, well-maintained recreational facilities, and top-notch schools.
Our community covers a land area of 14.2 square miles and has a population of 7,817 residents. Collier Township is a community that has practiced good planning and open government. Through its dedicated public officials and well-trained staff Collier is a community that is solvent and rich with community spirit and history.
Fire Departments
Collier is serviced by three all-volunteer fire companies that practice the motto of “neighbors helping neighbors.” The Presto, Rennerdale and Kirwan Heights Fire Departments are each strategically located in separate areas of the Township and provide vigilant fire, rescue and emergency medical services. Collier Township Police Department is a traditional municipal police agency. All officers are state certified and commissioned, many serve various specialty roles within the Department including heavy-truck inspectors and school resource officers. The Collier Township Police Department practices community-oriented policing and strives to be there first when you need us most.
Parks
Collier Township has four neighborhood parks, a main Township Park, a Community Center, the Panhandle Trail System, communal green areas, and even parts of the regional Allegheny County Settlers Cabin Park. In addition to many recreational programs and services offered by our full-time Parks and Recreation Department, Collier Township has the facilities and amenities to keep our citizenry active and healthy.
Community Center
Our recently opened, newly constructed, 38,356 square foot Collier Community Center includes an Olympic grade gymnasium, a lounge, community room, party room, kitchen, dance and activity rooms, a kid’s zone, a 3,530 square foot elevated walking track, lecture rooms, and an outdoor patio. There are also a number of new developments and improvements slated within Collier’s Park System including the construction of a Dog Park, additional nature and biking trails and other recreational programs.
Local Neighborhoods
As part of the Chartiers Valley School District, our many residential neighborhoods offer distinct living styles, tied together by community spirit and charm. Each neighborhood is in close proximity to shopping centers, employment opportunities and recreational amenities.
Awards
Some recent accolades Collier has received include the recent honor of the 2015 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence, the 2014 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence – both are recognition for our efforts to reduce our community’s carbon footprint with innovative energy-producing solar panels on the roof of our Public Works Facility. Our community’s financial management has been recognized with an improved bond rating of AA+, our community has been named an Allegheny County Banner Community in 2015 and a recent designee as a Live Well Allegheny Community.
Services
A full-service community that ensures that all possible physical comforts of our residents, business owners and visitors are met through the many superior public services offered at the Township level. These include trash collection, recycling, and general maintenance of our infrastructure including roads, community green areas, and facilities.
With a kind, hard-working and generous citizenry, Collier Township has been able to provide quality public services and low taxes. It offers many unique housing opportunities, and promotes the ability to grow and develop while keeping our rural/suburban charm. Through these efforts, our hometown – Collier Township – has flourished into one of the region’s best communities to live, work and raise a family. Come visit us soon!
History
Rich in history, Collier Township has grown from early settlements in the Walkers Mill and Ewingsville sections during the 1770s, to a center for coal, limestone, oil and natural gas in the 1880’s, to today’s community that offers primer residential living with successful and sustaining commerce cores. This timeline will guide you through our Community’s past as we grew into what we are proud of today.
January 12, 1875 – A Petition of Citizens
A petition of citizens of Robinson, North Fayette and South Fayette was presented in court for redistribution of territory comprised within their limits. J. B. Stilley, Captain John Gilfillan and Alexander D. Burn were appointed to take this matter under consideration
February 26, 1875 – Favor of Forming a New Township
J. B. Stilley, Captain John Gilfillan and Alexander Burns reported in favor of forming a new township.
May 11, 1875 – The Measure Was Adopted
J. B. Stilley, Captain John Gilfillan and Alexander Burns reported in favor of forming a new township.
June 7, 1875 – the New Township Was Formed
By a decree of court, the new township was formed. Collier Township was named after the Honorable Fredrick H. Collier of the common pleas bench of county courts
December 1911 – Collier Township, A First-Class Township
First Minutes of a Collier Township meeting were December 18, 1911.
First Township Commissioners were:
- P. F. Hormel, President
- J. R. Dillon, Vice President
- J. J. Walker, Secretary ProTem
- Peter Klein
- James Lane
First Township Solicitor, J. F. Wallace, was appointed December 18, 1911 to a one year term. Salary was $300 per year.
December 28, 1911 – Special Board of Commissioners meeting designated the Hotel McGrogan in Walkers Mill as the official meeting place. Meeting were to be held the first Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m.
January 3, 1912 – First Township Clerk
First Township Clerk – J. Scott Walker – appointment date unknown, but as of January 3, 1912 he is listed on the minutes. Salary was $200 per year
February 13, 1912 – First Township Road Supervisor
First Township Road Supervisor – H. W Walk – appointed February 13, 1912 with a salary of $70 per month ($840 per year), nine hours to constitute a day. Day Labors received $1.80 per day, nine hours to constitute a day and two men with a four horse team in a road scraper were paid $10 per day, nine hours to constitute a day.
October 6, 1987 – Dedication of Current Township Building
Dedication of Current Township Building – October 17, 1987 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. but, the first official Board of Commissioners meeting was held October 6, 1987 in the new meeting room.
Summer 1999 – Flag & Veterans Monument
Flag and Veterans Monument started at Collier Township building.
Fall 1999 – Panhandle Trail
Panhandle Trail: dedication of first mile was October 31, 1999.
June 16, 2000 – 125th Year Celebration
June 16, 2000 was the year the dedication of Phase II of the Monument and Celebration of Collier Township’s 125th year.