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Summit, a Township of the
Second Class, is the youngest and the smallest township in Erie County,
Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1854, out of the western part of
Greene, the eastern part of McKean and a small section from the northern
part of Waterford Township. Many believe the name was derived from
early settlers who journeyed from the lakeshore of Erie upwards until
reaching the dividing ridge running east to west (which separates the Lake
Erie Watershed from the Ohio River Basin), to the top or the
"SUMMIT".
With an area of 24.04 square miles, the population has grown from 1,038 in
1869 to 5,529 per the last census performed in 2000. According to an
assessment in 1883, the valuation of the township was: real estate,
$397,011; cows (564), oxen (26), horses and mules (331), $37,684; value of
trades and occupations, $3,700; money at interest, $1,825. The 2003 real estate
value has been assessed at $460,821,010. No longer an entirely farm
community,  Summit is an attractive mix of agricultural, residential,
commercial, industrial and entertainment facilities.
Several major transportation routes traverse the township, including
Interstates 79 and 90 (I-79, I-90), US route 19 and State routes 99 and
97. These routes link Summit Township with Canada, Ohio, New York
and several major cities (Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh). Access
to these routes has been a major contributor to the recent growth in both
residential and commercial construction.
Summit Township is governed by a three-member Board
of Supervisors.
Members are elected at large and serve a six-year term of office.
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