Originally part of the Western Reserve of Connecticut, Youngstown was settled by pioneers from that area. The city was named after John Young, who came here in 1797 after purchasing a whole township, over 15,000 acres of land, from the Western Reserve Land Company. Once dominated by basic steel, the Youngstown economy is diversifying to include automobile assembly, manufacturing, metal fabrication and small business enterprises. A great place to work, Youngstown is also known for its commitment to the arts. The Youngstown Area Arts Council was established in 1975 to support all visual and performing arts. Youngstown is the home of one of the nation's most outstanding American art museums, the Butler Institute. Youngstown's commitment extends to the leisurely arts as well. The Youngstown Park and Recreation Commission maintains 49 beautiful parks with a wide range of sports and recreational activities. Youngstown is located in the northeastern part of Ohio, midway between the major trading centers of Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and midway between Chicago and New York. With its well established cultural and recreational facilities and its diversified economic base, Youngstown is still a great place to live, work and play.