The Clairton Coke Works and Irvin Plant of U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works sites and 14 densely populated towns, cities and neighborhoods of the Mon Valley and South Hills were once part of a vast woodland populated by Native Americans and handfuls of intrepid settlers.

Jim Hartman of the Mifflin Township Historical Society will give a program from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at the Carnegie Museum of Art Theater, Oakland, about the history of that region and the creation of the 14 towns and neighborhoods of what was once Mifflin Township.

The program will be held during a meeting of The Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, and will be sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Carnegie Library.

The cities of Clairton and Duquesne, boroughs of West Mifflin, Baldwin, Dravosburg, Munhall, Homestead, West Homestead, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, Whitaker and West Elizabeth, and the Hays and Lincoln Place neighborhoods all were carved from Mifflin Township, which was created in 1788.

In 1780, the state of Pennsylvania included only the land east of the Allegheny Mountains.

The state of Virginia had earlier claimed Western Pennsylvania as part of the West Augusta District of Yohogania County.

In the 1750s, Virginia residents, including George Washington, wanted to build a road through the wilderness from Virginia to attack the French at Fort Duquesne during the French and Indian War.

The road also would help to ensure Virginia's claim by permitting a stream of colonists to flood Western Pennsylvania from Virginia.

Instead, the British made a military decision in 1758 to build the Forbes Trail, one of the first two roads into Western Pennsylvania through the dense trees, from eastern Pennsylvania to Westmoreland County to facilitate the successful attack on Fort Duquesne.

Settlers from eastern Pennsylvania later used the trail to gain access to and settle Western Pennsylvania, cementing Pennsylvania's claim to the region.

In nearby Westmoreland County on July 13, 1782, the Seneca Indians, their British allies and members of some other Native American tribes burned Hanna's Town, the first Westmoreland County seat, taking a number of hostages.

It was one of the last acts of the Revolutionary War. Raids of settlers' homes and kidnappings had been a problem throughout the war in Westmoreland County.

In 1788, authorities of the fledgling United States carved Allegheny County out of Westmoreland and Washington counties, creating seven original Allegheny County townships, including Mifflin.

Mifflin Township was first divided in 1828, when about one-half of it was taken to create Jefferson Township.

Mr. Hartman, who almost single-handedly created the Mifflin Township Historical Society, said he did so to preserve local history and artifacts.

The society has an office and reference room in the West Mifflin Borough Building at 3000 Lebanon Church Road, Suite 202. Mr. Hartman keeps the reference room open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, but those interested in visiting at other times can call Mr. Hartman at 412-600-0229.

A grant enabled him to get copies of old newspapers from Clairton, Duquesne and Homestead. Many can be read on the society's computers in the reference room.

The society has about 180 members, but Mr. Hartman said he needs some active volunteers to preserve artifacts and help with other work.

First Published: November 10, 2011, 10:15 a.m.