Meadville Area Guide

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Meadville Area Guide

Welcome to beautiful Meadville, Pennsylvania! Located amongst gorgeous lake dotted flat lands beneath the legendary Lake Erie; this prolific manufacturing and trade capital has attracted settlers for thousands of years, growing in the last century into a major economic boomtown and tourist destination.

Meadville is located on the banks of the French Creek surrounded by rolling hills and finely appointed shops, restaurants, and historic sites. The gorgeous lakes of the area afford visitors and residents a veritably endless list of options for recreation including hiking, biking, jogging, skiing, swimming, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, water skiing, bird-watching, and much more!

History

The beloved meadowlands of Meadville were originally inhabited by Native American tribes, who valued the rich soil of the lake peppered mountain plains for its bountiful harvests of maize and other crops.

Following a brief abandonment due to skirmishes between rival tribes, European and American settlers arrived in 1788, led by David Mead, who selected the area for its ideal location along creeks and farm lands.

During the early 19th Century, many settlers arrived after receiving land grants for their service in the Revolutionary War. Also in the early 19th Century, the area began a proud tradition of providing first-rate educations with the founding of Allegheny College, named for the looming Allegheny Mountains.

In the following decades, Meadville would become an important transportation hub and shipping center, as it rested perfectly along the French Creek and magnificent Lake Erie. Several canals were constructed to facilitate further transportation growth including the Beaver and Erie Canals connecting rapidly growing Meadville to tranquil Conneaut Lake.

In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, Meadville played a small role in aiding escaped slaves as they used the Underground Railroad in order to avoid capture. Meadville’s public schools were officially desegregated in 1880.

Also in the late 1880’s, numerous Railroad companies began operating along the inestimable tracks of Crawford County including Atlantic & Great Western, Erie Railroad, Pennsylvania Railroad, and the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company.

Meadville would continue to grow economically thanks to booming industries in logging, agriculture, iron production, and craftsmanship. The Talon Corporation played a major role in emerging manufacturing industries by introducing a sensational new product called the zipper! Later, American Viscose would further this trend of fine Meadville clothing. Presently, Meadville is home to Channellock Tools, and is known as the “tool and die capital of the world!” Dad’s Pet Foods also remains an economic staple in the beautiful lakeside community.

Museums

Baldwin Reynolds House Museum
This historic manor was populated for a time by the esteemed Henry Baldwin, one-time Meadville Attorney General and 19th Century member of the House of Representatives. Baldwin rose to prominence and national recognition in 1818 when he became one of few representatives to back President Andrew Jackson in a campaign to bring order to the state of Florida. Today, the mansion features exhibits and guided tours harkening back to the gilded age of American antiquity as well as hosting numerous annual events throughout the year. http://www.baldwinreynolds.org
Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum
639 Terrace Street, Meadville, PA
Phone: (814) 333-9882

Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic
This adventure through photographic history pays homage to the technological advancements made by using stereographic images to render three-dimensional impressions nearly a century before modern artists implemented measures to achieve the same result. Browse archives filled with visual wonders including stereographs of famous people, infamous events, and legendary landmarks!
423 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA
Phone: (814) 333-4326

Meadville Fine Arts, LLC
Own a piece of high-quality photographic history to showcase in your own home by visiting this top-notch locally owned fine-art printer. Browse their collection of indelible images from across time, or stop by to pick up a one-of-a-kind masterpiece from one of their numerous resident master craftsmen.
242 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA http:// www.meadvilleart.com
Phone: (814) 337-8600

The Historic John Brown Museum
Years before the Civil War, this historic farm owned by active abolitionist John Brown would play a major role in the escape of more than twenty-five-hundred slaves as a safe-house and stop along the Underground Railroad. Today, the farm and tannery has been converted to a museum celebrating the bravery and courage of both those willing to fight for their own freedom, and John Brown, who was willing to sacrifice to protect the freedom of others.
17620 John Brown Road
Townville, PA

Attractions and Activities

Academy Theatre
Meadville’s top destination for outstanding performance art, theatrical productions, stand-up comedy, and live music; the Academy Theatre has been in operation since being presented as the Academy of Music by Ernest P. Hempstead to the city of Meadville in 1885! Following a stint as a motion picture house, the beautiful Academy Theatre was masterfully restored in the 1980’s and today presents a full bill of sensational productions and events.
275 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA http:// www.theacademytheatre.org
Phone: (814) 337-8211

The Movies at Meadville
This state-of-the-art cinema shows new and old movies on gorgeous, wide angle, crystal clear high-def silver screens! http://www.themoviesat.com
11185 Perry Hwy
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Phone: (814) 333-2727

Meadville Sports Garden
The perfect place to watch your team play; this sports bar and restaurant is a local favorite for its ice cold beverages and red hot wings!
272 Chestnut Street
Meadville, PA
Phone: (814) 336-2030

Meadville Community Theatre
This unique community coalition of thespians works diligently to reflect and synthesize the ups and downs of reality through meticulously crafted theatrical works on life at the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. The Meadville Community Theatre presents original works, instant classics, and occasional one-man specials. http://www.mctbackstage.com
400 North Main Street, Meadville, PA
Phone: (814) 333-1773

Putt-It Miniature Golf
Enjoy a relaxing game on obstacle dotted fairways while at this beloved local mini golf range! There are two winding concourses to choose from depending on your desired skill-level, as well as batting cages and arcade games!
16111 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA
Phone: (814) 333-3784

Park Avenue Cinemas
960 Park Avenue
Meadville, PA
Phone: (814) 337-3456

Parks and Recreation

The incredible city of Meadville maintains numerous passive and active parks for the recreational needs of their adoring citizens as well as being close to the famous Pymatuning Recreational Area, the legendary Lake Erie, and the incredible waters of the French Creek. The naturally beautiful Great Lakes region community is nestled along Pennsylvania’s historic US Route 6 and enjoys four majestic seasons.

In the surrounding area you will find eight lakes ideal for fishing, swimming, boating, and water skiing as well as a century old amusement park at Conneaut Lake Park, a top-notch recreational complex, beautifully landscaped golf courses, finely appointed public parks, and pristine open spaces.

At these and other local parks enjoy picnic tables, immaculately manicured garden lawns, playgrounds, athletic fields and courts, fishing ponds, tennis courts, walking paths, hiking trails, pavilions, picnic shelters, barbeque pits, public art, historical monuments, and much more!

Meadville City Parks
1340 South Cottage Street
Meadville, PA
Phone: (814) 724-6053

Roche Park
Patricia Drive
Vernon, Pennsylvania
Phone: (814) 337-8134

Diamond Park
Meadville, Pennsylvania

Park Ave News
1206 Park Avenue, Meadville, PA
Phone: (814) 724-4690

Elizabeth Park
Clinton Ct Exd
Meadville, Pennsylvania

Shady Brook Park
Shadybrook Park
Meadville, Pennsylvania

Cora Clark Park
Pine St.

De Arment Park
Park Ave. and Linden St.

Eldred Glen
Thurston Rd.

Elizabeth Park
Chestnut St. and Alden St.

Fifth Ward Playground
Lincoln Ave. and Lyon St.

General Mead Park
Randolph St. Terrace St.