WARREN - MILE 1

Warren, the county seat of Warren County, is situated on the right. It is principally built along the river bank, which is about 35 feet above the water. It is allowed to be one of the most eligible sites on the river; and commands a picturesque view above and below. It was incorporated as a Borough in 1832. Near the centre of the plat, and about one-fourth of a mile from the river, is the Public Square, or Diamond; around which are situated the public buildings. The Court House and Academy, are built of brick; and the Jail, Prothonotary's Office, and the building formerly occupied by the Lumberman's Bank, are of stone. The Prothonotary's Office, which is situated near the Court House, was burned in December, 1854. The building contained the usual offices of the county, with the public documents, which were all saved, except those of the Commissioner's Office where the fire was supposed to have originated. The walls, through the vigilance of the Fire Company, assisted by the citizens, suffered no material injury. It was enlarged and rebuilt in the following year. The place contains five churches; the Methodist Episcopal, German Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic. The dwellings and stores are generally of wood, well built and neatly painted. There are also a number of costly and magnificent brick buildings which have been erected within a few years past, among which are the Carver House, Tanner, Watson and Johnson Blocks.

The settlement of Warren County was greatly retarded by the misconstructions and litigations resulting from the Land Law of 1792, and the peculiar management of the Holland Land Company, who by way of aiding and encouraging settlers upon their lands, established a large store-house at Warren, one of the first buildings in the place. The Pine Lumbering business being the great object of pursuit among the settlers, and not agriculture, (and so long as they had but the color of a title,) they would remain long enough upon the land to cut all the valuable timber, and then take "French leave," squat upon a new tract, and set up a claim to that. This state of affairs brought many of the settlers and the Company's Agents into continual conflicts and litigations. The latter refused to sell to such persons anything from their store, or in any way to countenance them, without a compromise with the company. During this state of uncertainties, the better class of people were deterred from purchasing, and the population in 1810, was retarded in its improvements by the same causes; and in 1813 it could boast of but five houses. In 1850 its population was 1010; it is now, probably, 1500. The seat of justice was fixed at Warren at the organization of the county, on the 16th of March, 1819. It is 120 miles from Pittsburgh, by land, and 203 by the river. The business of Warren varies with the seasons of the year. During the rafting freshes, the whole country round about, as well as Warren, presents a business like appearance; all is alive with the bustle of preparation among the lumbermen. Rafts of smaller dimensions, from the upper Allegheny and Conewango Creek, with their numerous and busy population, are continually pouring into the eddy to be coupled into those of larger area, or what is called Pittsburgh Fleets; in which shape they pursue their journey to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Indeed, it is a sort of harvest, and General Jail Delivery, to almost every kind of business. The Tavern-Keepers, Merchants and Mechanics, all reap their peculiar benefits at these seasons. Steamboats are frequently seen winding their way up the river, puffing and snorting around the circuitous bends, discharging their cargoes of merchandise, produce, etc., at the wharves, then wheeling about and plying steam, are soon out of sight on their way back to the Iron City.

Warren may be considered at the head of steam navigation on the Allegheny River, in consequence of mill dams having been built above, which obstruct the passage of steamboats altogether, which can only get this far in times of high water, Heavy freighted Keelboats from Pittsburgh also arrive here, and depart, at almost every season of the year. The Eddy is sufficiently large and commodious, so that a number of Pittsburgh fleets can be coupled in it at the same time. Rafts can be landed on both sides of the river, any where above the bridge, but the right is by far the most preferable, especially in very high water. Flat boats can be wintered here in perfect safety; and also rafts, by uncoupling and drawing them up past the wharf toward the mills, but they are not safe if left anywhere in the eddy below; for, if not entirely destroyed, they are liable to suffer more or less injury when the ice breaks up.

The splendid bridge that once crossed the Allegheny, is now gone. A portion of it was unroofed in a gale of wind, and was never repaired. In this condition, it remained exposed to the rain and storms for about ten years, when the portion most injured and exposed, became so rotten that it gave way and fell with a tremendous crash. The remaining part fell about a year after. The mason work yet remains. The elegant stone pier on which the centre of the superstructure rested, stands in the middle of the river, and at the lower end of the eddy, a perfect monument of neglect.

From 1954 C of C write-up:

WARREN
Allegheny River Valley at its Best in Warren

"Warren, population 15,000, named in honor of General Joseph Warren, a distinguished patriot killed in the battle of Bunker Hill, is located at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Conewango reek among the beautiful foothills of the Northern Alleghenies.

The Warren Area, outstanding in scenic beauty, is virtually a "Sportsman's Paradise." Headquarter offices of the Allegheny National Forest are located in Warren and it is one of the main gateways to this 1,176 square mile recreational wonderland, which offers open hunting and fishing under Pennsylvania State laws. It is estimated that over 300 black bear and over 20,000 white tail deer make up the big game population of this forest area. Also, there are thousands of small game animals as well as over 500 miles of unposted fishing streams containing mostly trout. Improved camping and picnicking facilities are available for public use.

Special points of interest include: Washington Park, for view of Warren and the Allegheny River valley; Devil's Elbow, 11 miles east on Route 59, for magnificent view; Kinzua fire tower, 15 miles east; Heart's Content, virgin forest areas, 17 miles south; Warren County Observatory, 10 miles southeast, open to the public on Saturday nights during the summer; and the only Indian settlement in Pennsylvania, on the Cornplanter Grant, 19 miles northeast.

Chapman Dam and Lake, located 10 miles south of Warren, provides a fine recreational spot for camping, picnicking, and fishing. Warren County streams as well as Chapman Lake are stocked heavily with trout each year. The Allegheny River in the Warren area contains bass, walleyed pike, pan fish, a few muskies, as well as many suckers, bullheads and carp. Bass and walleyes are stocked each year.

Warren has 50 manufacturing concerns with an annual payroll of over $10 million. Diversified products of manufacture include: furniture (both wood and metal); other wood items; lumbering equipment; oil field equipment; refined oil; gasoline; lubricants; electronics; electric products; parts for radio tubes and lamps; wire and wire products; metal stampings; parts for industrial, textile, and automotive machinery; chemical processing equipment; plastics; steel fabrications and forgings; gas fired furnaces and boilers; truck and semi-trailer tanks; and hotel china. The value of manufactured products is over $50 million annually.

Warren in the early days, was a depot of supplies for the lumbering camps located on streams in the area. As spring rains raised the streams, the lumber was floated to Warren from the upper Allegheny and the Conewango. It was then "coupled up" into the regulation "Allegheny Fleet." Some of the rafts were 60 to 70 feet wide and 250 to 300 feet long. Large boats, or "Broadhorns" also formed a part of the fleet as it floated down to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Warren today, with its diversified industry, modern retail stores, recreational advantages, fine homes on tree-lined streets, excellent school, church and club facilities, is truly a desirable place to live or visit. For further data, informative folders, etc., contact the Warren Chamber of Commerce."

MEAD'S ISLAND - MILE 3�

This island is by far the largest and most valuable of any on the river below Warren. It is about one mile in length, contains about 300 acres, and is valued at $7,000.00. The island is owned by a Mrs. Mead, a widow lady.

BIG BROKENSTRAW CREEK - MILE 7

This creek rises in Erie County, Pa., and after receiving the waters of Coffee, Hair, Spring, Mullengar and the Little Brokenstraw Creeks, empties into the Allegheny about seven miles below Warren. The Little Brokenstraw takes its rise in Chautauqua County, not far from the headwaters of French Creek, and empties into the Big Brokenstraw 7 miles above its mouth. The lumbering business is extensively pursued on all the above named tributaries. From four to six million feet of lumber, and from ten to fifteen million shingles, go down the Allegheny from this point every year. A few rods below the mouth of the creek, on the right, is Brokenstraw Eddy, the great place of preparation for all the Brokenstraw lumbermen. The village and land for a considerable distance around, is owned entirely by Dr. Wm. A. Irvine, grandson of Gen. Wm. Irvine of the Revolutionary army, who was for several years engaged as Commissioner for the State, in superintending the survey of lands north-west of the Allegheny under the land law of 1792.

Dr. Wm. A. Irvine inherited this land from his father, the late commissory Gen. Calendar Irvine, who came to this place in 1795, erected a cabin, and placed it in charge of a faithful negro servant, by way of perfecting an "actual settlement".

On the flats near the Eddy, once stood an Indian village, called Buckaloon, which was destroyed by a detachment under Col. Broadhead from Pittsburgh in 1781. It required a siege of several days to drive out the Indians, who retreated to the hills in the rear of the village. Several days afterwards, Maj. Morrison (afterwards a distinguished citizen of Lexington, Ky.) returned to reconnoitre, and had stooped down to drink at the mouth of the creek, when a ball from an Indian's rifle splashed water in his face. This fact was long after confirmed to Dr. Irvine, by one of Cornplanter's men.

The traveler in passing through this vicinity, will notice a neat little stone Church, situated in a beautiful grove, and also a stone School House on the opposite side of the road. These, we are told, were erected at the expense of Mrs. Dr. Wm. A. Irvine, who possessed an ample fortune of her own.

One can easily form some idea of the taste and refinement of this amiable lady, when we view the scenery around this place, for she has chosen one of Nature's most inviting retreats, and one every way calculated to draw the thinking mind from nature up to nature's God.

She was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, and although never talked so loudly of Woman's Rights, as a Mrs. Bloomer, or claimed a right to minister in holy things, as does the Rev. Antoinette Brown, still, her life was useful, her Christian zeal and consistent piety was evinced by deeds of benevolence and charity.

But human life is short. Decay, change and death, have fixed their seals upon the face of all nature; and all on earth we cherish and cling to most fondly, is forced from our embrace, leaving the sorrowful heart to brood over the urn of hallowed memory. In the midst of her labors, she went to her reward. Her funeral sermon was the first one preached in the house. Her mortal remains slumber in the pleasant grove that surrounds the church; but the memory of her many virtues will be cherished by coming generations, and perhaps encourage others of her sex to generous and noble deeds.

BROKENSTRAW ISLAND - MILE 7�

This island is owned by Dr. Wm. A. Irvine. It is about three fourths of a mile long, and contains 63 acres of cultivated land.

J. THOMPSONS ISLAND - MILE 9�

This Island is owned by Mr. James Thompson, it is over a mile long and contains 57 acres of cultivated land.