Crawford County Messenger and CCHS News

The morning after – charred remains of the fire’s path. The Hotel Conneaut stands untouched in the background. As the morning darkness of December 2, 1908, dissolved into daylight, a scene of utter destruction revealed...

Ohio race horses helped bring about the county fair With the excitement of the Crawford County Fair upon us, it’s worth taking a belated look at the origins of the what arguably is the county’s largest...

From a 1907 postcard, Conneaut Lake’s main thoroughfare (Water Street) facing west. With summer now if full swing, many area residents and vacationers have already made their way to Conneaut Lake to enjoy the many...

As colorful balloons fill the skies over Crawford County for the annual Thurston Classic, it’s always a worthwhile venture to dig into the histories of father and son, Samuel and Alic (sometimes Alex) Thurston, the...

Hotel Conneaut with new south and north wings added – 1920’s What do the coming of the railroad, the discovery of oil, a major lakeside resort, the healthful promise of mineral springs and travel have...

The Sanborn Map Company Those interested in the past often obsess over the “when” of things. The first person settled in 1822. The first brick home was built in 1845. The first train arrived in...

1865 map showing the site off Miller’s home Of the names associated with the history of Conneaut Lake, none carries the intrigue of Phil Miller. Philip W. Miller was a boat builder and expert outdoorsman...

Allegheny students wait at the Exposition Park trolley station – 1913 On May 30, 1906, the Meadville and Conneaut Lake Traction (M&CLT) Company formed with a goal of bringing trolley service to Exposition Park (Conneaut...

A.C. early ranching days Friction between ranchers and the federal government over the use of public lands recently witnessed in the news is nothing new in our history. Prominent Meadville businessman and Civil War veteran,...