With new Mayor Christopher Soff stepping into his office recently, a perfect opportunity is presented here to discuss Meadville borough, and eventually city in terms of an organizational history. This week, we will track how Meadville became a city, where its original boundries were, and other little known facts about the place we all know and love.

 

Meadville was a village in Allegheny County, and once it was established, Crawford County in 1800. It remained a village for over twenty years, however, and was not incorporated into a borough until March 29, 1823. Its original boundaries were as follows:

 

 

Upon the first election of borough officers, held May 5, 1823, Thomas Atkinson was elected Burgess (the borough term for mayor at that time). Atkinson was best known as the owner of the first newspaper in Meadville and his daughter Salome is hanging in Baldwin-Reynolds House. The last Burgess was William Reynolds, holding a term in 1865. He made history in this regard as on February 15, 1866 Meadville was granted a new charter and became an incorporated city. Reynolds served the first term in Meadville as mayor in 1866 before stepping down, making him the “last and first” in this area. Meadville was, in 1860, a borough of 3702 people and a city of 7103 in 1870, growing considerably. Others of considerable local renown such as John Dick, S.B. Dick, Alfred Huidekoper, Gaylord Church, H.L. Richmond, and John Earle Reynolds held one or the other of these offices, depending on the time period.

 

We have been a city since 1866 and have had our ups and downs, but have one thing for certain- we act like the village from which we came. I am happy to call this area home as for as large or spread out Meadville becomes, one can still find familiar faces walking through town and a helping hand is never hard to fine. I’m thankful that we are still in touch with our small town roots. Welcome Mr. Soff to the mayor’s office and I hope you enjoy the city in which you will help to run. We certainly do!