About Conway

Welcome to Conway Borough!! We’re so glad you’re here.

Conway is located along PA State Route 65 and the Ohio River just 25 miles Northwest of Downtown Pittsburgh, and only 30 minutes from the Pittsburgh International Airport. We are convenient to shopping being adjacent to the Northern Lights Shopping Center Walmart, 10 miles from Cranberry Township and only 6.5 miles from the Center Township / Beaver Valley Mall retail corridors. With the appeal of a turn of the 20th Century small town, Conway combines a mostly residential nature with a small school district, stable taxes and spending, a professional police department, and increasing property values with the convenience of location to recreational, shopping and healthcare opportunities.

Conway – viewed from across the Ohio River

Conway was incorporated as a Borough within Beaver County, PA on June 20, 1902

The lands comprising the town of Conway were know as “Indian Territory” until March 12, 1783 when they were set aside as ‘Depreciation Lands’ given by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as payment to soldiers and officers who had served during the Revolutionary War.

John McKee, promoted to the rank of General by George Washington and who had been present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, became the first settler in the area. For his service in the war, General McKee was awarded 800 acres in New Sewickley Township, from the Ohio River back over the hills 2 miles, including the Crow’s Run Valley.

In 1825m McKee sold 230 acres of partially cleared land situated at the lower end of Crow’s Run to Michael Conway, a farmer who had recently immigrated from Ireland. Mr. Conway would eventually found the town which bears his name. In 1827, the village of Conway became part of Economy Township when that municipality was formed from part of New Sewickley Township.

General McKee used the proceeds from the sale of this land to promote and help to finance the construction of the first railroad in the area, running from Pittsburgh to Beaver County. The railroad grew over the years, and at one time the Conway Yards were the busiest automated rail yard in the world. It continues to operate as a major locomotive repair shop and is the largest freight train classification yard between New York City and Chicago.

Today Conway is a community comprising 1.5 square miles with a population of approximately 2,114. Conway is part of the Freedom Area School District, boasts Churches representing 4 denominations, and is home to many businesses of all sizes. The Borough is governed by a Mayor and 7 member Council, supported by 2 office staff. Also involved in the operation of the Borough are a Public Works Department, Recreation Committee and several planning and other boards and commissions. The Conway Police Department has 7 full time and a number of part time officers who provide professional, 24×7 protection and service to Conway as well as neighboring Freedom Borough. The Conway Volunteer Fire Department provides the town with fire protection and are the first responders to incidents at the railroad yard.

We invite you to explore our website and learn about Conway — a small town with good neighbors who are working together to keep Conway moving forward.

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