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Meadville, Pennsylvania
Population: 14,318
Located in Crawford County
The old Market House, constructed by city authorities in 1870 has been revamped for small vendors. It's a special visit, with an atmosphere that feels small and intimate. There a visitor can find arts and crafts, baked goods, and more. The second floor of the Market House is home to the Heeschen Gallery with changing exhibits.
The French Creek Outdoor Learning Center is located northwest of Meadville on a 170-acre location off Mosiertown Road on the west side of French Creek. It provides programs on many topics such as local business practices along its route and industrial ecology. Programs for school children include social studies and drama. Many activities related to French Creek are conducted all along this historic waterway. The French Creek Project has been the recipient of state and national awards in its effort to raise awareness of the Creek and its future. Allegheny College is a major participant in the program. For those who would enjoy a first-hand look at the Creek, plan to take a canoe ride in good weather. Access to the waterway is available at several locations in Erie County as well as Crawford County, including Walker's Landing and Bicentennial Park in Meadville.
Here's a neat way to visit the city - take the train! Tickets for special excursion trains can be purchased through the Chamber of Commerce. Boarding in Meadville is at the old Bessemer Street Station. The Erie Limited originates in Meadville, travels through Cambridge Springs, usually with a lunch stop and continues to Corry then returns. The trains are scheduled in the spring and fall with occasional summer trips.
Three parks are located in the city. One, called Diamond Park, is the square by the Courthouse. It is here that the Centennial Oak Tree still stands tall. The other is Centennial Park at the west end of the city off Mead Street. Located here is a replica of the log cabin that was built by the pioneer, David Mead, when he first arrived in the region. Open hours and special events are generally scheduled during the summer season. The third park is a well-equipped playground for children called Huidekoper Park and is on the east side of the city. The Downtown Mall runs north and south along Water Street, west of the courthouse.
One of the most historic sites in Meadville is the Baldwin/Reynolds House. Henry Baldwin had been a lawyer in Meadville during its earliest days. He was later appointed to the position of Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He retired about 1840 and returned to Meadville to live out his life, practicing law from time to time. In 1841 he contracted for a magnificent antebellum home in the Greek Classical Revival style to be built for himself and his wife. It was not quite finished when he died and his widow, not wanting such a large home, sold it to her nephew, William Reynolds. The house and grounds are quite fine, with open hours during the summer and on special occasions. One of these is conducted every other year (2000 was the last) by the Meadville Garden Club during the Christmas season. They display decorated trees throughout the house. Also on the grounds is the doctor's office of Dr. J. Russell Mosier. He was a country doctor who practiced in a small community north of Meadville called Little Corners. Dr. Mosier died in 1938 and his family closed the small office, never to open it again. In 1976 the family donated it to the Crawford County Historical Society and it was moved to the grounds of the Baldwin/Reynolds house. Near the pond on the grounds is where the 1813 militia encamped. They had been organized for the defense of Lake Erie. The house and grounds are owned and maintained by the Crawford County Historical Society.
The Historical Society has compiled a self-guided tour to the many historic sites in Meadville. Pick one up at the library at 848 North Main Street and take the tour! There's lots of history in Meadville and makes a fine afternoon's walk.
Source: tourerie.com
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