Edinboro Travel Guide

Being a college town - there are plenty of drinking establishments here catering to that population. If you are not in that category - pack your tennis racket and play an evening game of tennis.

History -
A traveling man once called Edinboro the 'prettiest little inland town I have found in all my travels,' quoted John L. Marsh and Karl E. Nordberg in their second book about Edinboro. The town abounds with history, beginning from the time the township was first settled and a mill was established at the south end of the lake in what is now the borough limits. Other mills were soon built and a small village grew up around them, with storekeepers, artisans and craftsmen bringing their special talents to the community. ......................................

The villagers were quite self sufficient, for neither a canal line nor a railroad traversed the township, although a stagecoach line was in operation on the Plank Road to and from Erie in the mid 1800s. A faster, more comfortable service was in operation by the Erie Traction Company between Erie and Cambridge Springs from 1900 to 1928. A bus line began service in 1926 and continued after the trolley ceased operation. In 1929 a trolley car was brought back to Edinboro and placed permanently on the southwest corner of Erie and Plum Streets (Route 6N and 19) to operate as a diner. Named the 'Crossroads Dinor' by a young Edinboro resident, it remains in business today. ...........................................

The college has been the primary focus of the community, almost from the beginning. Early residents were wise in their understanding of the value of education. With two small schools within the borough limits offering only the lower grades, residents formed an organization in 1856 to build an academy. It was so successful that three more buildings were erected by 1860. The Pennsylvania Normal School Act was passed in 1857 and Edinboro was a candidate as a location, if it also could offer a Model School with a guaranteed enrollment of 100 students for children in those lower grades. By extending the school district's limits into the township, closing the public schools, and appropriating the school taxes to support it, the Model School enabled a teaching college to be established in Edinboro in 1861. ...........................................

The history of the Edinboro State Normal School - today known as Edinboro University - is one long success story, with the exception of an unfortunate incident in 1892 when the popular Normal School's longtime manager, Prof. Joseph A. Cooper, was fired by the Board of Trustees. Cooper had many loyal supporters and for a time it appeared he might be reinstated, but this did not occur. ............................................

Being a 'college town' in the 1800s meant that the males and females were boarded in separate buildings. Most were housed in rooms in private homes in the borough with the women on Meadville Street south of West Normal Street and the men housed on the north side. By local custom the areas were named 'Girl Town'and 'Boy Town'.
.................................................................Rivaling the college for the townspeople's attention was the lake, just at the north end of the borough. Every kind of water sport was enjoyed there, including camps for boys and girls. In the early decades of the 20th Century Conneaut Lake was publicly promoted as offering an inexpensive vacation, with easy access by trolley. Today cottages, campsites and year-round homes circle the lake, and it remains the center of much activity within the community. ................................................................................ ..........................

A name long synonymous with Edinboro is Goodell. The patriarch of the family, Layton B., came to the area in 1832 and began a blacksmith business. Two of his descendants, Todd and Ned, remained in the area and Todd's two daughters, Carrie and Margaret, carried on the family farm at the edge of the borough for many decades until the late 20th Century, long after their father had passed away. ........................................................................

Three devastating fires occurred during the first decade of the 20th Century that might have been a death knell for other communities, but the citizens of Edinboro rebuilt, better than before each time. Today many fine homes still line the sidewalked streets of the borough. Middle and high school level students now attend the General McLane School District, having merged with the township children and those of McKean Borough and Franklin and McKean Townships. ................................................................................ ..................................

In the center of the borough at the corner of Erie and Waterford Streets, a triangular area called 'The Diamond' still announces that it is Edinboro a visitor has entered. And, a fine fountain still operates, as it has since it was dedicated in 1913.

Edinboro is in the "Snowbelt". Here is a photo taken from looking out the front window of our house.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bring a heavy jacket, hat, gloves, socks, anything! Cold is an understatement. Also, bring sturdy boots if you plan on walking on the roads. Edinboro usually doesn't salt their roads, making it very hard to walk.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Blankets, first aid, emergency food, and matches are some things you may want to bring just in case. A full list of emergency supplies can be found at the link below.

Favorite thing: T

Fondest memory: The best thing about Edinboro is that it is close to Waterford for going to eat. Waterford had TheEagle Hotel (Kelly's) for family eating at its best. Betty's restaurant for informal home grown eating and Maggie's China Inn for terrific oritntal cuisine.