Warren (pop. 10,259) is the seat of Warren County (43,863) in northwestern Pennsylvania. Warren has an urban cluster population of 16,521. It is situated at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Conewango Creek. Just south of the western edge of New York State, Warren is 20 miles south of Jamestown, NY and about 70 miles east of Erie, PA along scenie U.S. Route 6. Warren is gateway for the Allegheny National Forest, and is only a few miles west of the Allegheny Reservoir.
Warren was laid out in 1795 by famed surveyor Andrew Ellicott (Washington DC, Franklin PA, Erie PA, etc.) Surrounded by dense forests, Warren's early growth was fueled by timber. In 1875, oil was discovered in Warren... which led to a period of dramatic growth and wealth. Like other northwestern PA oil towns like Bradford, Titusville and Oil City... Warren's oil boom left a rich legacy of Victorian architecture throughout the city. An oil refinery operates along the Allegheny to this day. Warren is also a regional financial and fashion hub.
The rivers divide Warren into several distinct neighborhoods. The central neighborhoods comprise a National Historic District, featuring many houses dating from the 1830s through the 1880s. Downtown features impressive structures, monuments to a time when Warren had higher aspirations.
built in 1844
statue of the city's namesake... Revolutionary War hero Dr. Joseph Warren
a flamboyantly painted Moose Lodge
this 500 foot span across the Allegheny was built in 2005... it connects the south end to Downtown. It was designed to recall the graceful and dramatic architectural features of the past... and is adorned with Victorian lamps and observation alcoves
Downtown's retail component is ok... there are a number of vacancies and low-rent businesses... but Warren seemed to have a healthier environment than many other small cities like it... a large employment base downtown keeps things bustling
Warren's Flatiron Building is the centerpiece of Downtown... there is a dragon on top of the weather vane
1840ish
texas hots... is a type of hot dog developed by Greek immigrants popular in this part of Northern Pennsylvania... it's covered in a special type of chili sauce
like the other oil towns of northwestern Pennsylvania... Warren's residential built environment is similar to the forms of Upstate New York... which was carried from the New England cultural hearth in the late 1700s and 1800s... (as opposed to the Pennsylvania cultural hearth, which spread through much of the rest of the state and into the southern Midwest)
a lovely residential boulevard
I was so happy that vinyl was a rarity in this neighborhood... the beautiful wood facades were preserved and well cared for
Conewango Creek
a very intimidating house
this mansion appeared to be vacant
built in 1830
the Warren County Courthouse was built in 1877 in the Second Empire style... its design is VERY similar to that of the
Elk County Courthouse (my home county)... which was built in 1879 by the same architect
Second Empire from 1868
downtown view from across the Allegheny... new riverfront condos in the foreground... which the
NY Times profiled... it's part of a $60 million downtown redevelopment programme
a few miles east... the Kinzua Dam at the Allegheny Reservoir
heading up a hill
iced over
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