1923 Map of Meadville

About this map

French Creek carves a deep valley through central Crawford County, serving as the primary corridor for the Erie R R and the Bessemer and Lake Erie R R. In this 1920s landscape, the hub of Meadville is surrounded by a dense network of rural school districts, including Shutz School, Gibson School, and the Trace School. This map illustrates the transition from traditional water-powered sites to early 20th-century infrastructure, evidenced by the Water Works and the County Farm near Saegerstown. Smaller settlements like Blooming Valley and Cochranton anchor the agricultural uplands, while natural landmarks such as Black Ash Swamp and the mineral waters of Ponce de Leon Spring highlight the region's diverse topography. Genealogists will find an incredible density of named rural landmarks, from Broadford Bridge to the many scattered Grange Halls that served as community centers.