Central Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers

Located along the Brandywine River in the center of the Chester Valley. First settled by Indian which was a center for fur trapping and trading industry. The Brandywine River features prominently in the history of Coatesville. William Fleming, originally from Scotland, is one of the earliest landowners on record. Another early resident was Peter Bazillion, Indian fur trader and merchant, whose accomplishments were recognized with a market place on Oak Street by the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.

Coatesville was able to capitalize on the natural energy supplied by the Brandwine River running through the area. In 1810 the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory, the forerunner of Lukens Steel, was formed by Jesse Kersey and ironmaster Isaac Pennock. As Lukens Steel prospers so did Coatesville, eventually becoming known as the "Pittsburgh of the East." By the beginning of the 20th century the population had grown to 6,000. Lukens Steel was the largest employer in Chester County in the 1960s, with over 10,000 workers. After World War II the steel industry began a long decline and Lukens Steel was eventually sold again and again, forcing workplace reductions to 5,000 and eventually to 2,000.

Recently, Coatesville began an ambitious redevelopment project which include tearing down abandoned public housing, building new single family and townhouse developments, a recreation center, and a mixed of projects that would include retail and office, as well as the renovation of the local Amtrak station.