In 1750, Peter Chartier built a trading post on a creek that would be called Chartiers Creek. The creek divided the parcels of land that comprised the First Ward(Chartiers) and the Second Ward(Mansfield). The Chartiers region was incorporated as a borough in 1872. The Mansfield region was also incorporated in 1872.

In 1894, Chartiers and Mansfield merged to become one unified city, and a new name was sought. The community petitioned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie for financial assistance, and he responded generously. Thus, the town of Carnegie was founded on March 1, 1894. Andrew Carnegie purchased a large parcel of land for a majestic new library and endowed it with gifts totaling more than $100,000.

Principal industries in the following years included steel mills, coal mines and railroads. The railroads were vital to the community often referred to as "Little Pittsburgh". Superior Steel Company was the largest industry in the small town and many generations of families worked there. The mill opened in 1893 and had 100 employees. Honus Wagner worked at Superior Steel when he was not playing ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, other businesses thrived as well. Main Street was lined with every sort of retailer, from bakeries to banks, movie houses and mortuaries. There were two dozen churches in town.

On August 6,1956, Chartiers Creek flooded and water on Main Street rose to three feet. The damage was estimated at $6.2 million.

In March of 1962, Superior Steel was forced to close due to foreign competition in the steel industry.

In 1965, a Flood Control Project was implemented. It required the demolition of homes on Jane Street. Most of the residents on Jane Street were African Americans, many of whom moved to Pittsburgh's Hill District. The Flood Control Project seemed to work until September 2004, when the waters of Hurricane Ivan devastated homes and businesses and resulted in one death. The flood forced many businesses and churches to close for good.

For more on Carnegie's history, read Carnegie , also available at Carnegie Historical Society