Meadville, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Meadville is a city in and the county seat
of Crawford County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania
. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania. The population was 13,388 at the 2010 census.
and French Creek
, and is only a day's travel by boat to the safety of Ft. Franklin.
Their settlement was in a large meadow, first cleared by Native Americans
led by Chief Custaloga
, and well suited for growing maize
. The village Custaloga built here was known as Cussewago.
The neighboring Iroquois
and Lenape
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.
Around 1800, many of the settlers to the Meadville area came after receiving land bounties for service in the Revolutionary War. Allegheny College
, the second oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains
, was founded in Meadville in 1815 and is the oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains that has kept its original name. Meadville became an important transportation center after construction of the French Creek Feeder Canal in 1837 and of the Beaver and Erie Canal
it connected to at Conneaut Lake
and subsequent railroad development.
Meadville Theological School was established in
1844 by a wealthy businessman and Unitarian
named Harm Jan Huidekoper. It moved to Chicago in 1926.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries Meadville played a small part in the Underground Railroad helping escaping slaves to freedom. An event in September 1880 led to the end of segregation by race in the state's public schools. At the South Ward schools, Elias Allen tried unsuccessfully to enroll his two children. He appealed to the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas, and Judge Pearson Church declared unconstitutional the 1854 state law mandating separate schools for Negro children. This law was amended, effective July 4, 1881, to prohibit such segregation.
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.
After the war, Meadville's industrial growth continued. Talon remained a major employer, along with the railroad industry, American Viscose (later known as Avtex Fibers), Channellock tools, and Dad's Pet Food. In the 1980s, the Great Lakes region saw a decline in heavy industry. By the early 1990s, Channellock and Dad's were the only large companies operating in Meadville. This blow to the local economy was softened by subsequent surge in light industry, mainly tool and die machine shops, earning Meadville the nickname Tool City, USA. The area has seen growth in the 1990s and first decade of the 21st century.
, a national liberal arts college
with approximately 2100 students.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 13,685 people, 5,436 households, and 2,891 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,145.2 people per square mile (1,214.7/km²). There were 5,985 housing units at an average density of 1,375.5 per square mile (531.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.98% White, 5.01% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 5,436 households out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.8% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 20.0% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,402, and the median income for a family was $38,227. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $22,579 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,290. About 13.7% of families and 22.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Crawford County
Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania. The population was 13,388 at the 2010 census.
History
Meadville was founded on May 12, 1788 by a party of settlers led by David Mead. Its location was chosen well, for it lies at the confluence of Cussewago CreekCussewago Creek
Cussewago Creek is a tributary of French Creek in Crawford County, Pennsylvania in the United States.Cussewago Creek joins French Creek at Meadville.Cussewago Creek supports a diverse fauna, including mammals, amphibians, fishes, and mollusks....
and French Creek
French Creek (Allegheny River)
French Creek is a tributary of the Allegheny River in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York in the United States.- Etymology :...
, and is only a day's travel by boat to the safety of Ft. Franklin.
Their settlement was in a large meadow, first cleared by Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
led by Chief Custaloga
Custaloga
Custaloga or Packanke was a member of the Wolf Clan of the Delaware tribe. Captain Pipe was his nephew.-Biography:Little is known of the early life of Custaloga. He arrived in western Pennsylvania in the mid 18th century and built a sizeable village at the confluence of French Creek and North Deer...
, and well suited for growing maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
. The village Custaloga built here was known as Cussewago.
The neighboring Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
and Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
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.
Around 1800, many of the settlers to the Meadville area came after receiving land bounties for service in the Revolutionary War. Allegheny College
Allegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
, the second oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains
Allegheny Mountains
The Allegheny Mountain Range , also spelled Alleghany, Allegany and, informally, the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States and Canada...
, was founded in Meadville in 1815 and is the oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains that has kept its original name. Meadville became an important transportation center after construction of the French Creek Feeder Canal in 1837 and of the Beaver and Erie Canal
Beaver and Erie Canal
The Beaver and Erie Canal, also known as the Erie Extension Canal, was part of the Pennsylvania Canal system and consisted of three sections: the Beaver Division, the Shenango Division, and the Conneaut Division...
it connected to at Conneaut Lake
Conneaut Lake
Conneaut Lake is the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania. It is located in western Crawford County near a town with the same name. During the summer season, it is heavily populated with people vacationing to the lake area, some from the area spending time in their houses on the lake, and many...
and subsequent railroad development.
Meadville Theological School was established in
1844 by a wealthy businessman and Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
named Harm Jan Huidekoper. It moved to Chicago in 1926.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries Meadville played a small part in the Underground Railroad helping escaping slaves to freedom. An event in September 1880 led to the end of segregation by race in the state's public schools. At the South Ward schools, Elias Allen tried unsuccessfully to enroll his two children. He appealed to the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas, and Judge Pearson Church declared unconstitutional the 1854 state law mandating separate schools for Negro children. This law was amended, effective July 4, 1881, to prohibit such segregation.
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
Zipper
A zipper is a commonly used device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric...
. Since the clothing industry was largely unaffected by the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, the community saw a population boom at that time. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the nearby Keystone Ordnance plant brought additional jobs to the area.
After the war, Meadville's industrial growth continued. Talon remained a major employer, along with the railroad industry, American Viscose (later known as Avtex Fibers), Channellock tools, and Dad's Pet Food. In the 1980s, the Great Lakes region saw a decline in heavy industry. By the early 1990s, Channellock and Dad's were the only large companies operating in Meadville. This blow to the local economy was softened by subsequent surge in light industry, mainly tool and die machine shops, earning Meadville the nickname Tool City, USA. The area has seen growth in the 1990s and first decade of the 21st century.
College
Meadville is the home of Allegheny CollegeAllegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
, a national liberal arts college
Liberal arts college
A liberal arts college is one with a primary emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts and sciences.Students in the liberal arts generally major in a particular discipline while receiving exposure to a wide range of academic subjects, including sciences as well as the traditional...
with approximately 2100 students.
Primary and Secondary Education
List of schools in Meadville, Pennsylvania- Meadville Area Senior High SchoolMeadville Area Senior High SchoolMeadville Area Senior High School is a public school located within the city of Meadville, Pennsylvania. Situated at 930 North Street Ext., the high school serves the city of Meadville, West Mead Township, Pennsylvania, Vernon Township, Pennsylvania and is part of the Crawford Central School...
(1,025) - Meadville Middle School (515)
- Neason Hill Elementary School (317)
- First District Elementary School (315)
- East End Elementary School (308)
- Second District Elementary School (245)
- West End Elementary School (100)
Geography
Meadville is located at 41°38′32"N 80°8′51"W (41.642133, −80.147441).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 13,685 people, 5,436 households, and 2,891 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,145.2 people per square mile (1,214.7/km²). There were 5,985 housing units at an average density of 1,375.5 per square mile (531.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.98% White, 5.01% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 5,436 households out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.8% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 20.0% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,402, and the median income for a family was $38,227. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $22,579 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,290. About 13.7% of families and 22.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Meghan AllenMeghan AllenMeghan Allen is an American softcore model and reality show contestant. She was Playboy Cyber Girl of the Month for January 2008. Meghan first appeared in NBC reality show Fear Factor in 2004. Together with Adam Hipp, her boyfriend at the time, she competed in the Couples edition, doing 8...
, Playboy model - Henry BaldwinHenry Baldwin (judge)Henry Baldwin was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from January 18, 1830, to April 21, 1844.-Biography:...
, Supreme Court Justice, lone dissenter in the Amistad Case - John Joseph BittnerJohn Joseph BittnerJohn Joseph Bittner was a geneticist and cancer biologist, who made many contributions on the genetics of breast cancer research, which were of value, not only in cancer research, but also in a variety of other biological investigations.- Biography :Bittner was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, on...
, geneticistGeneticistA geneticist is a biologist who studies genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation of organisms. A geneticist can be employed as a researcher or lecturer. Some geneticists perform experiments and analyze data to interpret the inheritance of skills. A geneticist is also a Consultant or...
and cancerCancerCancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
biologist, who studied the genetics of breast cancerBreast cancerBreast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. - Cameron CarpenterCameron CarpenterCameron Carpenter is an American organist known for his virtuosity, showmanship, technique and arrangements for the organ.-Biography:...
, Grammy-nominated organist - Todd ErdosTodd ErdosTodd Michael Erdos is a former middle-relief pitcher. In high school he played for Meadville Area Senior High and was a very effective pitcher...
, Major League Baseball player - Randy FichtnerRandy FichtnerRandy Fichtner is a quarterbacks coach for the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers.-Early years:Fichtner, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, was a standout football player at Meadville Area Senior High School...
, current quarterbacks coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, graduate of Meadville Area Senior High - Charles Homer Haskins, historian, advisor to President Woodrow Wilson
- Todd HollandTodd HollandTodd Holland is an American television and film director and producer.-Personal life:Holland was born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania and raised in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was an honor student, graduating from Meadville Area Sr. High School. While there, he got his feet wet...
, television and film director and producer - Carl HovdeCarl HovdeCarl Frederick Hovde was an American educator who from 1968 until 1972 was the Dean of Columbia College, the undergraduate division of Columbia University...
(1926–2009), professor and Dean during the Columbia University protests of 1968Columbia University protests of 1968The Columbia University protests of 1968 were among the many student demonstrations that occurred around the world in that year. The Columbia protests erupted over the spring of that year after students discovered links between the university and the institutional apparatus supporting the United...
. - Alison Irwin, reality show competitor
- Lynn JonesLynn JonesLynn Morris Jones is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals...
, former Major League Baseball player - Alexander S. McDillAlexander S. McDillAlexander Stuart McDill was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.Born near Meadville, Pennsylvania, McDill attended Allegheny College....
, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin - Tammy PescatelliTammy PescatelliTammy Pescatelli is a comedian originally from Perry, Ohio. In 2010 she won Comedy Central's Standup Showdown. Tammy is a regular "friend of the show" of the Bob & Tom Show. Pescatelli was on the second and third seasons of Last Comic Standing and finished in the finals both seasons...
, comedian - Raymond P. ShaferRaymond P. ShaferRaymond Philip Shafer served as the 39th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1967 to 1971. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor from 1963 to 1967...
, former governor of Pennsylvania - Michael S. SmithMichael S. SmithMichael Scott Smith was an American jazz drummer and percussionist.-Career:Based in the Washington D.C...
, jazz drummer and percussionist - Sharon StoneSharon StoneSharon Vonne Stone is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She achieved international recognition for her role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct...
, actress - Gideon SundbackGideon SundbackGideon Sundbäck was a Swedish-American electrical engineer. Gideon Sundbäck is most commonly associated with his work in the development of the zipper.-Background:...
, member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his work on the development of the zipper - Jay TessmerJay TessmerJay Tessmer , is a former relief pitcher for Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. Tessmer played baseball for six years, nearly all of them spent with an affiliate of the Yankees...
, former Major League Baseball player - Vicki Van Meter, record-setting child pilot