Conneaut
Encyclopedia
Conneaut is a word of disputed meaning, believed to come from the language of the Seneca tribe of Native Americans
. According to local tradition, it may mean either "place of many fish" or "snow water" (referring to Conneaut Lake
, notable for its ice in winter). According to the Bureau of American Ethnology
, conneaut is most likely a corruption of ga-nen-yot, meaning "standing stone." Still others believe it to be a corruption of gunniate, meaning "it is a long time since they are gone." Maps from the end of the eighteenth century spell the word Conyeayout and Connewaut.
Conneaut was originally used to name the features of a glacial valley which runs from Lake Erie
at Conneaut, Ohio
to French Creek
near Cochranton, Pennsylvania
. This valley has a split drainage: The northern part drains north into Lake Erie, and the southern part south into French Creek.
Several towns in this valley share its name:
Four bodies of water also share the name:
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. According to local tradition, it may mean either "place of many fish" or "snow water" (referring to Conneaut Lake
Conneaut Lake
Conneaut Lake is the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania. It is located in western Crawford County near a town with the same name. During the summer season, it is heavily populated with people vacationing to the lake area, some from the area spending time in their houses on the lake, and many...
, notable for its ice in winter). According to the Bureau of American Ethnology
Bureau of American Ethnology
The Bureau of American Ethnology was established in 1879 by an act of Congress for the purpose of transferring archives, records and materials relating to the Indians of North America from the Interior Department to the Smithsonian Institution...
, conneaut is most likely a corruption of ga-nen-yot, meaning "standing stone." Still others believe it to be a corruption of gunniate, meaning "it is a long time since they are gone." Maps from the end of the eighteenth century spell the word Conyeayout and Connewaut.
Conneaut was originally used to name the features of a glacial valley which runs from Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
at Conneaut, Ohio
Conneaut, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,485 people, 5,038 households, and 3,410 families residing in the city. The population density was 473.4 people per square mile . There were 5,710 housing units at an average density of 216.5 per square mile...
to French Creek
French Creek (Allegheny River)
French Creek is a tributary of the Allegheny River in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York in the United States.- Etymology :...
near Cochranton, Pennsylvania
Cochranton, Pennsylvania
Cochranton is a borough in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was recorded as 1,148 in the 2000 census.-Geography:Cochranton is located at ....
. This valley has a split drainage: The northern part drains north into Lake Erie, and the southern part south into French Creek.
Several towns in this valley share its name:
- Conneaut, OhioConneaut, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 12,485 people, 5,038 households, and 3,410 families residing in the city. The population density was 473.4 people per square mile . There were 5,710 housing units at an average density of 216.5 per square mile...
- Conneaut Lake, PennsylvaniaConneaut Lake, PennsylvaniaConneaut Lake is a borough in Crawford County, Pennsylvania at the southern end of a lake with the same name. The population was 708 at the 2000 census.-History:...
- Conneaut Lakeshore, PennsylvaniaConneaut Lakeshore, PennsylvaniaConneaut Lakeshore is a census-designated place in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,502 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Conneaut Lakeshore is located at ....
- Conneautville, PennsylvaniaConneautville, PennsylvaniaConneautville is a borough in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, along Conneaut Creek. The population was 848 at the 2000 census.- History:Conneautville was founded in 1814 by Alexander Power, a surveyor and engineer. Conneautville was first called Powerstown or made reference to as Power’s Tract...
- Conneaut Township, Crawford County, PennsylvaniaConneaut Township, Crawford County, PennsylvaniaConneaut Township is a township in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,550 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Conneaut Township, Erie County, PennsylvaniaConneaut Township, Erie County, PennsylvaniaConneaut Township is a township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,908 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 0.02% is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
Four bodies of water also share the name:
- Conneaut CreekConneaut CreekConneaut Creek is a tributary of Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio in the United States. Via Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, it is part of the watershed of the St...
, which flows through northwestern PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and northeastern OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... - Conneaut LakeConneaut LakeConneaut Lake is the largest natural lake in Pennsylvania. It is located in western Crawford County near a town with the same name. During the summer season, it is heavily populated with people vacationing to the lake area, some from the area spending time in their houses on the lake, and many...
, a kettle lake in Crawford County, PennsylvaniaCrawford County, PennsylvaniaCrawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford...
which drains through the Conneaut Marsh - Conneaut Marsh, a broad herbaceous wetland (also known as Geneva Marsh) extending several miles southeast from Conneaut Lake
- Conneaut Outlet, which flows to the southeast from the Conneaut Marsh (formerly also called Conneaut Creek)