Meadville, PA

Meadville, Pa., seat of justice of Crawford co., 37 miles S. from Erie, and 234 N. by W. from Harrisburg. Pleasantly situated on the E. side of French River, from which it gradually rises to its central part, where is a handsome public square, containing about 5 acres. On the E. side of the square stands the court house, which is a fine edifice of brick and hammered stone, ornamented with a cupola. The place has 7 or 8 churches, an academy, a state arsenal, and a considerable number of stores. It is the seat of Alleghany College. (Gazetteer of the United States of America, 1854)