St. Clair was one of the original townships of
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at the county's creation in 1788. In 1836, the St. Clair Township was divided into two separate townships, Upper St. Clair and
Lower St. Clair. The residents of Upper St. Clair formed their township to ensure better government service that could be obtained by separating from the more densely populated northern part of the township. Upper St. Clair Township was further subdivided throughout the 19th and 20th centuries as several parts of the original township separated to form new townships and
boroughs. In 1973, Upper St. Clair Township adopted a home rule charter that took effect on January 5, 1976, and is no longer governed by the Pennsylvania Township Code.[
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The
Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 had its roots in Upper St. Clair.
Formed as a volunteer
militia company in 1844 by residents of the township, the "St. Clair Guards" later became Company H of the
62nd Pennsylvania Infantry.
The community was home to several mines beginning in the late 19th century. Freehold Real Estate Co. built the first major residential development in March 1913 along Washington Road, which at the time was conveniently close to streetcar service. During the 1930s, Upper St. Clair was recorded as a community within the city which had a school district providing regular nursing services.[
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Today, the community has many fashionable homes and is considered one of the wealthiest suburbs of Pittsburgh.[
7] The township has also gained fame as being a filming location for the movie
The Perks of Being a Wallflower.[
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