Meadville, Pennsylvania

Meadville is a city located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,685. It is the county seat of Crawford County{{GR|6}}.

History

Meadville was founded in 1788 by a party of settlers lead by David Mead. Its location at the confluence of Cussewago Creek and French Creek, a day's travel by boat to the safety of Fort Franklin. Their settlement was in a large meadow, presumably cleared by Native Americans, and well suited for growing maize. The neighboring Iroquois befriended the isolated settlement, but their enemies, including the Wyandots, were not so amiable. The threat of their attacks caused the settlement to be evacuated for a time in 1791.

Related Topics:
1788 - Cussewago Creek - French Creek - Fort Franklin - Native Americans - Maize - Iroquois - Wyandot - 1791

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Around 1800, many of the settlers to the Meadville area came after receiving land bounties for service in the Revolutionary War. Allegheny College, the first college west of the Appalachian Mountains, was founded in Meadville in 1815. Meadville became an important transportation center after the construction of the French Creek Feeder Canal in 1837, and the subsequent railroad development.

Related Topics:
Land bounties - Revolutionary War - Allegheny College - Appalachian Mountains - 1815 - French Creek Feeder Canal - 1837

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By the late 19th century, Meadville's economy was also driven by logging, agriculture, and iron production. The Talon Corporation, headquartered in Meadville, played a major role in the development of the zipper. Since the clothing industry was largely unaffected by the Great Depression, the community saw a population boom at that time. During World War II, the nearby Keystone Ordnance plant brought additional jobs to the area.

Related Topics:
19th century - Zipper - Great Depression - World War II

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After the war, Meadville's industrial growth continued. Talon remained a major employer, along with the railroad industry, Avtex Fibers, Channellock tools, and Dads Pet Food. In the 1980s, the great lakes region saw a decline in heavy industry. By the early 1990s, Channellock and Dads were the only large companies operating in Meadville. This blow to the local economy was softened by subsequent surge in light industry earning Meadville the nickname Tool City, USA.

Related Topics:
Railroad - Channellock tools - 1980s - 1990s

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Meadville is the birthplace of historian Charles H. Haskins and actress Sharon Stone.

Related Topics:
Charles H. Haskins - Sharon Stone

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