Early Settlement and Natural Resources

The area that would become Grove City was first settled in the 1790s. In 1797, John Montgomery claimed two hundred acres in Wolf Creek Township, one of Mercer County’s original townships. Among the area’s early settlers were Robert Gilmer, Adam Black, and William Gill. Pine Township, now surrounding Grove City, was officially formed from Wolf Creek Township in 1798, and John Perry became its first settler in 1796. Valentine Cunningham and his wife Margaret Glenn Cunningham arrived in 1798 and settled near what was the lower dam on Wolf Creek. Their presence marked a pivotal moment in the town’s history. Valentine’s contributions to the community included the establishment of a centrally located mill, the groundwork for future development. His death in 1807 at the age of thirty did not diminish his legacy; his descendants continued to shape the town’s growth.

Formation of the Borough

As the population increased and the community diversified, residents sought a localized form of government. In 1882, a group of ninety-one citizens petitioned the Mercer County Court of Quarter Sessions to incorporate Pine Grove as a borough. On January 4, 1883, the court approved the petition, and the Borough of Grove City was officially established. Valentine Cunningham’s role as the town’s founder was formally recognized during this process. His early settlement, land development, and civic contributions were foundational to the borough’s identity. His descendants, including J.G. and Charles Cunningham, played key roles in laying out the town and constructing important buildings such as Cunningham Hall.

Agriculture and Mining

Agriculture was central to Grove City’s development. Early settlers practiced subsistence farming, raising livestock and growing crops to support their families. Among notable farms today are descendants of those prominent early farmers, the Paxton’s, Montgomery’s, McDowells. As nearby mining towns expanded, demand for agricultural products increased, prompting local farms to scale up production. The formation of the Farm Bureau in 1915 marked a turning point in agricultural education and livestock improvement. Entrepreneurs like E.B. Harshaw and Morgan Barnes helped transform the cattle industry, importing high- quality breeds and establishing a government creamery. Mining also played a significant role in the town’s economy. Coal mines such as Chestnut Ridge, Pinchalong, and Hallville provided employment and fueled industrial growth.

Industry and Entrepreneurship

A spirit of entrepreneurship drove Grove City’s industrial expansion. The town became home to a variety of businesses, including McKay Carriage Works, Bessemer Gas Engine Company, and Wendell August Forge. Wendell August Forge, founded in 1923, became a national leader in hand-forged aluminum products. Its relocation to Grove City was facilitated by Dr. E.J. Fithian and the Commercial Club. Other notable entrepreneurs included Arthur Armour, Natale Rossi, the Howe, Harshaw, Fithian, Filer and Young families, whose contributions helped shape the town’s industrial identity.

Education and Grove City College

The Pine Grove Normal Academy, founded in 1876 by Isaac C. Ketler, with the support of local farmers and townspeople, evolved into Grove City College in 1884. The college grew rapidly, supported by benefactors such as J.N. Pew and William Harbison. Buildings like Memorial Hall, Harbison Chapel, and Crawford Hall reflect the generosity of these patrons. Grove City College became a center of academic excellence and innovation, including the establishment of WSAJ, the first non-commercial radio station in the United States.

Community Services and Infrastructure

Grove City developed robust public services, including water, electricity, and fire protection. The first water works were built in 1898, and the town began generating electricity in 1908. The Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1904, after the town faced challenges like the Great Fire of 1890, which devastated much of Broad Street. The sewage treatment plant, constructed in the 1920s on the Hunter Farm, addressed growing sanitation needs, made critical by flu epidemics.

Healthcare and Libraries

Healthcare evolved with the establishment of Grove City Hospital and Bashline Memorial Hospital. These facilities merged in 1978 to form United Community Hospital, which opened in 1981. The Carnegie Library, gifted by Andrew Carnegie in 1900, and the Grove City Community Library, founded in 1958 by the Junior Woman’s Club, highlight the town’s dedication to literacy and learning. Entertainment Downtown Grove City was once the Friday night gathering spot for friends and neighbors. The Five and Ten, mom and pop stores such as the esteemed Burdick’s Men’s Store, and Clepper’s grocery. There were also those beloved restaurants, Dad’s Restaurant, the Diner, Steese’s, and beyond the town, the granges with their dances and special occasion dinners. In Summer, all flocked to the Street Fair to sample food offerings and bargains, while fireworks on the Fourth lingered over the town. Over the years, there was at least one movie theater, sometimes two. And at least one heart-thumping parade a year beyond the annual Halloween Parade. Fire trucks, and bands and heroes, oh my! Small town fun. And WEDA, Grove City’s own radio station, kept track of it all, announcing events, past, present, future.