Coatesville

Official Website: City of Coatesville

Named after Moses Coates, the City of Coatesville officially began as the village of “Coates Villa” in 1792.  However, the first known settlement was a Lenape village. Nevertheless, it was the creation of the Lancaster Turnpike. linking Philadelphia to Lancaster and paralleling the  Pennsylvania Railroad, which brought an economic boom to Chester County’s only city.

Coatesville is likely best knows as a Steel City. The Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory began in 1810 and eventually became Lukens Steel. While it is been bought and sold several times since 1992, the facilities are the oldest steel mill in America. Most notably, the steel mill has and does produce battleship armor and light tank armor for the U.S. Military.

Today, the city is comprised of a richly diverse population. According to the  2010 United States Census, the town is home to 2,889 families and a total of 13,100 people, which includes those of all background. Moreover, at 46.4 percent, African Americans make up the largest segment of the community. The city also has a large religious community that includes Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, and other Christian faiths. Plus, the community is home to practicing Jews, Muslims, and other minority religions.

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