Like many Pennsylvania counties born of other counties, Greene County began life as the southern part of Washington County, gaining independence in 1796. The original courthouse, a small log structure, still stands in Waynesburg, the county seat. Greene lies just south of Pittsburgh, and was for years a critical component in the production of coal-fired steel. During the heyday of steel production, the river town of Rices Landing moved more coal through the Monongehela River locks than any product moved through the Panama canal. Though coal remains a critical employer in the region, Greene County is just as famous for the beauty of its farmlands, as well as the Warrior and the Catawba hiking trails, both rich in Native American history. It is also home to 7,000 acres of state gamelands. The trick will lie in maintaining the delicate balance between natural resources above and below the surface of the earth.