Timeline

The borough’s timeline began in 1899 as the Thornburg family farmland was being prepared for development. In the early years, families from Pittsburgh and nearby towns were attracted by the Chartiers Valley, new Craftsman houses, a school, trolley and train service, and a country club and golf course. Only a few houses were built through the Great Depression and WWII, but two organizations - Community Club and Village Players - were formed to support the neighborhood, and each still has purpose and impact today. During the post-WWII growth into the 1950s and 60s, Thornburg expanded with mid-century modern development and a significant increase in residents. The next several decades of contemporary development also included transitions for the school into the Community Center and the golf course into the Conservation Park. Recent activities have been focused on renovating community assets, celebrating borough history, and expanding neighborhood activities.

Key Years

1899

Newspaper announcements of Thornburg in development

1900

Thornburg Land Company formed by cousins Frank and David

First plan of lots: Cornell, Dartmouth, Hamilton, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford

First 5 houses built: 1100, 1112, 1120, 1132 Princeton, 509 Hamilton

Trolley service began

1901

6 hole golf course laid out by Frank Thornburg

1908

Addition to plan of lots: Upper Hamilton, Lehigh, Kenyon, Smith College

1909

Borough incorporated June 5 with first Council elected

Thornburg Country Club built, and golf course expanded to 9 holes

1910

School opened (left side only)

Lower Thornburg historic house construction ended

1911

Thornburg Land Company filed for bankruptcy

1912

Frank Thornburg moved to Santa Monica, CA

School main entrance and library room added

1913

Thornburg Country Club expanded in 1913, reopened in spring 1914

1915

Coal mine operations began at end of Hamilton and Kenyon Roads

1918

Lucy Ziel hired as School teacher (eventually was also Principal)

1922

School right side added

Planning began for a new Thornburg (Chartiers) Country Club

Coal mine operations ended

1923

David Thornburg died at 676 Hamilton Road in Thornburg

1924

Chartiers Country Club 18 hole golf course designed by Willie Park opened

1925

Chartiers Country Club building designed by Press Dowler completed

1927

Frank Thornburg died in Los Angeles area

1930

Community Club formed

Early 1930s

Kindergarten started

1934

Thornburg course acquired by Lageman family and renamed Crafton Golf Club

1937

Playground and tennis courts built next to School

1938

Thornburg Village Players formed

Unfinished auditorium updated with new side entrance, landing, stairs, cement floor, and first stage made of wooden floor over sawhorses

1941

Kitchen, powder room, and Village Players makeup room added in basement

1945

Crafton golf clubhouse destroyed by fire

1946

Library started

1952

Trolley service ended

1954

Auditorium paneling and ceiling tiles added with waterproof walls

1955

Library named “Mark Vernon Memorial Library” (515 Hamilton Road, killed in Korean War)

1957

Trolley foot bridge removed

Harvard Road extended to connect lower and upper Thornburg

1958

Auditorium new permanent stage built

1960

Lucy Ziel retired as School Principal

1964

Freezer plant built on Rutgers Road

1966

Joined Montour School District

Here’s to Thornburg book published

1969

Talk of the Town newsletter first published

1971

Thornburg School phased-out, but kindergarten continued

1978

Borough bought School from Montour District to become Community Center

1982

Lower Thornburg designated as Historic District

1983

Kindergarten ended

1989

Kenyon Road development began

2005

Crafton golf course acquired to become Thornburg Conservation Park

2009

Borough centennial

2010

School centennial

2011

Library renovated

2022

New playground

2024

New Community Center windows

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