In this issue The Herald features Looking Back, a special section devoted to the history of local communities along with historical people, places and events.

Created in 1800, Mercer County and the surrounding area have developed communities with unique characters.

Farrell, for instance, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Initially incorporated as South Sharon, the city later adopted the name of J.A. Farrell, an industrialist who was president of United States Steel and other manufacturing companies.

Originally a borough, Farrell later changed to a city charter and became the melting pot of the area with various ethnic groups making the town their home.

Over the years communities have changed, sometimes dramatically. Fifty years ago, Hermitage was a quiet township anchored with an industrial base. The intersection of routes 18 and 62 had a couple of farms with a few small stores clustered here and there. Today, the city is the commercial and retail engine for the area as developers have flocked to the city.

Other communities such as Lackawannock Township have roots dating back to almost the beginning of the county. Settled in 1798 by the Young and Cozad families, the township was formally laid out in 1805, but it wasn't until 1849 that its present-day borders were established.

Grove City also got its first settlers in 1798 when Valentine Cunningham cleared a field by a winding creek. Eventually calling the stream Wolf Creek, Valentine erected a grist mill on its west bank.

As he wrote in the recently published "Mercer County Pennsylvania Pictorial History," William Philson, executive director of the Mercer County Historical Society said, "Please take time out of your hectic schedule to pause and reflect on your past and heritage.''