Volant was established in 1868.
The population was 113 at the 2000 census.
The land on which the borough of Volant currently sits on was bought from the Native Americans in 1784. The first grist The first store was built in 1877 by John and William Graham. By the turn of the 20th century the village was a bustling With the Great Depression came a gradual decline of the economy. As the economy worsened the business district diminished In 1984, a renaissance began with the old mill as its centerpiece. Opening its doors for the first time in over 20 years Latitude: 41.114
mill was built on the Neshannock Creek in 1806 and was located upstream from the current site. It was abandoned after a
few years and a new mill was built in 1812 at its current location. In 1868, J.P. Locke purchased the mill and 100 acres
of land and began laying out a settlement of 30 lots which he called Lockeville. With the help of the railroad his
attempts to create a settlement were successful. Lockeville began to grow and prosper, and in June 1893 the settlement
changed its name to Volant and was incorporated as a self governing unit.
commercial community. Thanks to the New Castle-Franklin railroad Volant became a popular shopping district. The mill
remained the nucleus of the town. Because of Volant's rural location there was a livery stable, two harness shops, a
blacksmith and a veterinarian as well as some shops. In addition, there was a college which attracted students from the
surrounding communities. As the town progressed toward establishing larger business venture, a stone quarry was begun
around 1900, as well as a lumber mill and brick company. The growing need for petroleum spurred an oil boom north of
Volant. The drilling continued until the beginning of World War I.
to almost nothing. The mill, which was primarily responsible for Volant's success, closed its doors in the early 1960s
and the trains stopped running through Volant in 1975. Volant soon became forgotten and returned to its rural roots.
as a country gift and antique store, it paved the way for a business revival that still continues. Encouraged by its
success, other shops were opened on Main Street. After several years of rapid growth, there are now over 50 shops and
restaurants turning Volant from a sleepy little village into one of western Pennsylvania's most popular tourist attractions.
Longitude: -80.259
Elevation: 1,033 feet