[6] The town derives its name from its founders, who included William Line (the grandson of a Swiss immigrant), who migrated from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, circa the early 1820s,[7] and his relative, Amos Line, who was the town's surveyor and main proprietor.

"[10] According to the town's history, Linesville was settled by Amos Line,[11] who was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.77 square miles (2.0 km2), all land.

U.S. Route 6 passes through the center of Linesville, leading east 17 miles (27 km) to Meadville, the Crawford County seat, and northwest then south 16 miles (26 km) to Andover, Ohio.

There are several points of interest throughout the town, chiefly Pymatuning Lake and the Linesville Spillway.

In warm weather, the spillway on the sanctuary (eastern) side is home to thousands of oversized carp, attracted by the bread thrown into the water by visitors; this is known as "The Place Where the Ducks Walk on the Fish", coined by local businessman Alpine Maclaine.

The spillway is locally billed as "Pennsylvania's second most popular tourist attraction, after the Liberty Bell", and the logo of the Linesville Volunteer Fire Department used to be a duck standing on the back of a fish.

[10] Another minor point of interest is at the main intersection of the town (at its sole traffic light).

[21] At one time, Linesville was the onion capital of the United States, distributing its fragrant produce via the Erie & Pittsburgh Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad.