Girard Township West Girard   History Submitted by Chris McClelland

From Nelson's Biographical Dictionary and Historical Reference Book on
Erie County,  Vol I, pp306

WEST GIRARD

West Girard is in the valley of Elk creek, after which it was originally named, mostly on the west bank of the stream, about half a mile from the borough of Girard. It was rather an important place in early days, being the site of one of the stage company's stables, and a changing place for their teams. The village then boasted a number of stores, four taverns, two tanneries, an oil mill, distillery, and several smaller establishments, all of which were allowed to run down. It received its worst blow by the building of the canal on the opposite side of the creek, which caused a transfer of the business to the present borough. Its principal establishments now are a grist mill, a planing mill and sash and blind-factory, and a sawmill. The village contains thirty houses and 135 inhabitants. An iron bridge over Elk creek marks the site of two or three other bridges which have been washed away by the destructive floods of that stream.

Source: Nelson's Biographical Dictionary and Historical Reference Book of Erie County

p 306

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