Situated between Lake Erie to the north and the Allegheny National Forest to the south, Jamestown is the largest city in the county.

For most of the 20th century, Blackstone Corporation, led by Reginald Lenna, was Jamestown's largest employer and one of the driving cores of the local economy, manufacturing washing machines and automobile components.

In the fall of 1809, Prendergast and an employee, John Blowers, built a log cabin, which became the first building in Jamestown.

[7] In 1887, Jamestown Electric Light and Power Company, Art Metal, and WCA Hospital were established.

In 1888, Jamestown Woolen Spinning Co. was established and the cornerstone of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church laid.

In 1891, a fire destroyed the Old Homestead Hotel at Third and Pine Streets and four people died, but the James Prendergast Library and the Municipal Light Plant were established the same year.

In 1900, Tinkham Brothers established their business, the Furniture Index was published, and the Hall Textile Corporation was formed.

That same year, the Scottish Rite Temple was formally opened and taxpayers voted a $350,000 bond issue for the Third Street Bridge.

[8] In 1932, the ground was broken for the new armory, the Erie Railroad station was dedicated, and the Community Chest was permanently formed.

As part of The New Deal, ground was broken for a new high school, which provided jobs during the Great Depression.

[8] In 1935, the Board of Education opened the new industrial arts building and City Council approved $314,000 airport for North Main Street site.

In 1937, the Temple Hesed Abraham was dedicated and the Alfred Collegiate Extension Center opened with 80 students.

[8] In 1954, Samuel A. Stroth was elected mayor and Allegheny Airlines began east-west flight via Jamestown.

[8] In 1961, Jamestown Community College moved into new Falconer Street campus and William D. Whitehead was elected mayor.

[8] In 1963, the City's first parking ramp opened at Main and Second Streets and Frederick H. Dunn elected mayor.

[8] Additionally, Grandin Mills on Allen Street was destroyed by fire and singer Natalie Merchant was born in Jamestown.

Although its primary agricultural product is milk, Chautauqua County is also the state's greatest producer of wine and jelly grapes.

Jamestown High School's boys and girls basketball teams have both won numerous Sectional and Division titles, with the basketball team winning back to back Section VI titles in 2009–10, 2010–11 while reaching the NYSPHSAA Class AA State Championship in 2011.

[23] Jamestown hosted, at what is now Northwest Arena, three exhibition games prior to the start of the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

The legislative body of Jamestown consists of nine council members, who are elected every two years without any term limits.

[43][44] Jamestown Community College provides a two-year education and four-year degrees through matriculation agreements with several universities.

Recent additions to the campus include a state-of-the-art LEED-certified science building and three residence halls.

The former Rogers Elementary School now functions as a Success Academy for selected Jamestown area students.

A disciplinary Tech Academy, located on Fourth Street is also part of the Jamestown Public School system.

WNY News Now, based in Jamestown, operates a daily local newscast that is distributed online.

The Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport (JHW) is north of the city and provides charter air service.

Present-day Jamestown is on the mainline of the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad which provides freight service.

The Erie Railroad's former Jamestown Station still exists and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

An electric interurban railroad—Jamestown, Westfield and Northwestern Railroad (JW&NW)—connected all three above towns (Jamestown-Mayville-Westfield) and ran along the north side of Lake Chautauqua.

[50] The Southern Tier Expressway (Interstate 86/Route 17) passes to the north and east of Jamestown, with direct access to the city from Exits 12 and 13.