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Timeline of Medina County History
By Stephen D. Hambley, Ph.D. Medina County Commissioner
To the memory of my late wife, Susan Lee (Jakabcic) Hambley, Brunswick City Councilwoman, Baldwin-Wallace College Music Librarian and Community Volunteer. She was always my biggest supporter, as I was hers. Her physical limitations never limited her spirit or her enthusiasm. She taught me to love, to cherish every minute of our lives, to have faith in God and to have courage in the face of adversity. Her passing in late 2008 diminished our lives and community, but our futures are better for her boundless faith, courage and dedication. May she rest in peace.
If copies are distributed free of charge this book may be reproduced without permission from the author. ©2009 by Stephen D. Hambley, Ph.D. 2820 Grafton Road Brunswick, Ohio 44212 330-225-0436 [email protected]
HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY PUZZLE 2009
ACROSS 2 GOP Presidential Candidate and US Vice-President who made
a campaign stop before crowded Medina Square. First Ohio County to offer complete educational and vocational training for the handicapped. Medina County Probate Judge who approves creation of Medina County Park District. 618-acre wildlife area built in this township by the State of Ohio using federal funds. First person admitted to the Medina County Home and former County Prosecutor. Originally named Gash Township to honor the Scottish hometown of the surveyor. Spencer Township and Village are recipients of a trust fund established in the will of this Farmer Savings Bank president. Original name of Medina Gazette . Township with first recorded business in Medina County. Hinckley Twp. resident reportedly the county's "premier abolitionist and anti-slavery activist." Wealthy cattleman and dealer from Granger Twp. furnished money to build Medina library building.
DOWN 1 Based on articles in this Cleveland newspaper, over 9,000
people flocked into Hinckley Twp. for the first unofficial Buzzard Day. Famous "Seville Giants." Pro Arts, Inc. of Medina benefitted from the national poster craze of this TV star. The first Temperance Society in Medina County is organized in this township. Fears of spreading this disease causes Medina County Fair Board to cancel for the first time in 106 years. Represented Medina County district to 1912 Ohio Constitutional Convention. Ohio Governor who attended the official opening of Wadsworth Municipal Airport flying in his own 2-engine DC3. This city purchased107-acre parcel for future commercial town center. Medina Gazebo Bandstand is modeled after a gazebo in this Ohio town. Aluminum casting manufacturer in Cleveland enticed by Chamber of Commerce donations into relocating to Medina in 1941. Reported to be "incomparably the finest Episcopal church in any country town at the time. 1918 "Oil Rush" hits this township.
2009 Medina County Timeline by Stephen D. Hambley, Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION TO MEDINA COUNTY HISTORY I. Medina's Frontier (Wilderness to 1811)
A. Geographic Characteristics
1. Ice Age.
While the geologic features of Medina County have been shaped over the last 570 million years, the surface that we see today was largely determined over the last 25,000 years. Shaped by millions of years of sedimentation, deposits of coal, limestone, salt and oil were found and exploited to varying degrees in Medina County over the last 200 years. But the features of the land we best know today, were shaped by the last Ice Age starting over 25,000 years ago. The hills and valleys, rivers, lakes and streams were carved up and created by huge flows of moving ice called glaciers. In the last glacial period called the Wisconsin Age, the ice covered over two-thirds of the state of Ohio for 6,000 years. In Cleveland the ice was estimated to have been 8,000 feet thick! Imagine standing on ice over a mile deep right where you are standing now. There was nothing around for hundreds of miles but huge packs of solid ice. The advance and retreating of the ice produced a grinding, smoothing, and filling effect that moved massive hills, carved out ravines, produced lakes and left deposits of sand, gravel and clay for future commercial exploitation. Upon its final retreat, about 12,500 years ago the glacier left the surface of Medina County in a way that would shape its development forever. For you see, this massive movement of ice created a ridge of hills going from east to west that divided the drainage of lakes and rivers in the county between those that would eventually end up in the Ohio River and those that led to Lake Erie. Medina County would be home to the Lake Erie/ Ohio River divide between the two watersheds. Drainage for the county formed the headwaters of the Rocky and Black Rivers to the north and northwest, Wolf Creek to the southeast, while the River Styx and Campbell's Creek drained to the south. In addition the Wisconsin Age glacier left Medina County with Ohio's largest natural inland lake, known as Chippewa. While the
Figure 1 Great Continental Divide
©2009, INTRODUCTION
lake itself covers around 355 acres of land, the swamp forest plant community and wetlands to the north and south ends of the lake extends this richest natural area of the county an additional 200 acres. Interesting enough, this lake is the only natural body of water in the entire country that drains both into the Great Lakes and the Ohio River basins.
2. Disputed Territory
The title to land in Ohio was obtained by treaties of cession from the various tribes of Native Americans claiming the territory. The first treaty involving Ohio land was made in 1785 with the Wyandots, Delawares, Chippewas and Ottowas, followed by a treaty with the Shawnees in 1786. However, these treaties were never in effect because of continual warfare between the tribes and invading white settlers. It was not until the decisive Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 under General Anthony Wayne that the United States was able to secure a cession of Ohio lands which the tribes recognized. The resulting peace settlement in 1795 called the Treaty of Greenville gave to the United States the lands lying east of the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas Rivers and south of a boundary line drawn between Ft. Laurens and Ft. Loramie, and Fort Recovery, as depicted in the illustration to the left. The resulting gain in territory open to new settlement entailed over 17 million acres of land or nearly two-thirds of the current state of Ohio. However, Medina County remained off limits to eager pioneers for another ten years because it is west of the Cuyahoga River. Official settlements were not permitted until the Treaty of Fort Industry in 1805 pushed the boundary westward to the current eastern line of Seneca and Sandusky Counties. To complicate matters further, several colonies had longstanding and conflicting claims over land in Ohio. At one time New York, Massachusetts, Virginia and Connecticut all laid claim to at least some portion of the region north of the Ohio River, called the Northwest Territory. For a number of years, these jurisdictional disputes clouded the prospects of the new American union. However, starting with New York in 1780, the eastern states slowing relinquished their claims to the national government. Sometimes, as in the case of Virginia and Connecticut, they reserved some portions for sale to fulfill promises of compensation to their soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Page 2
Figure 2 Greenville Treaty Line
Source: S.S. Knabenshue, "Indian Land Cessions in Ohio," Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, Vol. XI (January 1903) pp. 249-255.
Medina County is located in a strip of land bordering Lake Erie that was reserved by the State of Connecticut. This Western Reserve extended westward about 120 miles from the northwestern border of Pennsylvania and covered 3,667,000 acres. In 1795, the Connecticut Land Company bought most of the Western Reserve for $1,200,000. In April 1800, Connecticut and the U.S. government agreed to attach the land to the Ohio territory. In 1797 the county of Jefferson was established, embracing all of the Reserve east of the Cuyahoga River. West of the Cuyahoga was Wayne County. In the intervening years, however, the region was in practice without any magistrates, courts or other civil authority. However, the growth in the number of pioneer settlements and the inevitable movement toward statehood would soon change all of that.
state, as Ohio's first constitution was a triumph for "DemocraticRepublican principles." Like other state constitutions before it, a bill of rights protected the civil liberties of Ohioans. Some historians have suggested that it was perhaps the most democratic state constitution to that point in time adopted. It gave virtually all of the power to the state legislature and called for short terms of office. House members were elected annually, while Senate members were elected every 2 years so as to keep them accountable to the voters on a very frequent basis. Although comparatively democratic for its time, universal suffrage was not widely accepted and the right to vote was limited to white male taxpayers at least 21 years of age. True to the Democratic-Republican aversion to strong executive authority, the governor was a mere figurehead. He had little effective political power or patronage and had no veto power. The state legislature chose all other state executive officers and all state and local judiciary. Problems arising from the placement of power into the hands of the legislature, at the expense of the judiciary and executive branches, would eventually lead to changes in the structure of state government in Ohio's constitutional convention of 1851. Counties. As Ohio was making the transition from a largely unsettled territory to a frontier state it was being further divided into counties as more settlers moved into the region (Figure 3). In 1800, Trumbull County was erected and embraced the entire Western Reserve. But that simple organization would not last long, as statehood and recurring land sales encouraged additional settlers to fill the northeastern part of the region. The Western Reserve was further divided into Trumbull and Geauga in 1806, followed by Geauga, Portage, Cuyahoga, Ashtabula and Trumbull in 1808.
B. Counties and Statehood
Statehood. Preparation for Ohio statehood began in November 1802, when a convention in Chillicothe drew up the state's first constitution. With a population of around 70,000 men, women and children, Ohio became the 17th state on March 1, 1803, when the first state legislature met. It took a number of years before Ohio decided the permanent site for its capital. Chillicothe was the first state capital from 1803 to 1810, and then Zanesville became the capital for only a year. Chillicothe then again became the capital in 1812 until the General Assembly decided in 1816 to build a new capital in Columbus. Edward Tiffin, a Democratic-Republican, was the first elected governor of the state. He was a member of the same national political party as revolutionary era leaders Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and claimed many of the same political values. Values that he shared with most of the political leadership in the ©2009, INTRODUCTION
Finally, Medina County was formed in 1812 from a portion of Portage County and organized in 1818. Which Medina County community was settled first? That is a matter of some historical disagreement.
lowland area of the Rocky River in1807 and unsuccessfully attempted to claim the salt springs near Hardscrabble (Grafton Road and Columbia Road) in 1810. Moses Deming and his wife, Ruth, arrived to live in the township in early 1811. In the same year that properly recorded and titled settlers were formally establishing Liverpool Township, Harrisville Township in the southern portion of the county saw new property owners moving in and building cabins. The family of Joseph Harris made the first official settlement of that community on February 14, 1811. The nearest settlement was 17 miles away in Wooster. A table listing the numerous early pioneers and settlers to Medina County by township is included in the following Timeline. But it should be noted that the records which this history has relied upon are often only partial accounts. In addition, the traditional recorded histories of our early communities are also somewhat biased toward identifying the male head of households and only infrequently mentioning the contributions of women settling the wilderness. However, where the female heads of households are mentioned in the historical records, they are included in the list. Following the earliest settlement of the wild lands in Medina County, many more pioneers would risk their lives, health and fortunes in search of opportunities in new and growing communities. Who knew then the eventual consequences of their brave efforts in the wilderness of northeast Ohio? Their eventual fate could hardly be ordained but for the fulfillment of their most cherished values -- the importance of families, faith, education and democratic government.
Figure 3 Western Reserve and Ohio Counties Several local histories of Liverpool Township point to the squatters' claims of Seba Bronson, Jr. as evidence of the earliest settlement in Medina County. Arriving from nearby Columbia Township and without a title to the land, Bronson settled in the
And so our timeline of Medina County history begins in the first two decades of the 19th century...
STATE AND NATIONAL EVENTS
MEDINA COUNTY EVENTS
1802 · Ohio reaches Statehood and establishes constitution at November convention. 1803 · Ohio officially becomes a state, March 1. Chillicothe serves as state capital from 1803  1809, followed by Zanesville from 1809  1812, and then Chillicothe from 1812 - 1816
Connecticut gives up claim to land in northeast Ohio known as the Western Reserve. 1805 · Indian lands west of the Cuyahoga River were ceded to the Western Reserve by the Treaty of Fort Industry, thereby opening the land in Medina County for sale and settlement 1810 · Seba Bronson, Jr., a Revolutionary War Veteran, arrives in Hardscrabble area of Liverpool Township from nearby Columbia Township. He "squatted" on the land, planted corn, built a dwelling, established a thriving salt works and met the Pottawattamie Indians who came to the area to hunt. 1810-11 · First settlers officially recording land purchases start homesteading in Medina County- Harrisville and Liverpool townships. 1812 · Medina County carved out of Portage County. · Main east-west road through county improved for militia in War of 1812. Became "Old Smith" Road or Medina Road (Route 18) 1815 The Liverpool Salt Works becomes first business in Medina County. 1816 · "Year without a Summer"- July started with snow & ice. 1817 · One of the oldest Methodist Churches in the Western Reserve organized in Brunswick by Rev. Jacob Ward. www.brunswickumc.org · April 10, Ohio's first Episcopal Church log cabin edifice was constructed near Medina center for St Paul's founding parishioners organized by Rev. Roger Searle. Also used as a schoolhouse and church services by missionaries from Congregational Society of Massachusetts in 1819. www.stpauls-medina.org 1818 · Medina County formally organized. · Medina Twp property lines laid out- original name was "Mecca" · November 30, Elijah Boardman deeded public square area of Medina to county in order to secure Medina as the county seat. · Dec. 24, "The Great Hinckley Hunt" involving 500 men and resulted in 300 deer, 21 bears, 17 wolves, & some small game.
1811 General William Henry Harrison leads force that breaks Tecumseh's federation in Battle of Tippecanoe. 1812-1814 · WAR OF 1812 (http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=565) · In 1813, US Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry defeats British in the Battle of Lake Erie. It gives the United States control of Lake Erie cutting off the British supply lines and forcing them to abandon Detroit. Also enabled General William Henry Harrison to attack retreating British and Indian forces at the Battle of the Thames where famed Shawnee Indian leader Tecumseh died on the battlefield.. · British and United States sign treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814, but before news of the peace treaty reaches America, one final battle, the Battle of New Orleans occurs, which results in an American victory in January 1815. · US victory in the War of 1812 virtually ends native American threat to white settlers in Ohio and facilitates full settlement of the state without further opposition. 1816 · Columbus becomes the state capital, permanently.
1819 · Panic of 1819 hurt farmers and land speculators nationwide, principally caused by the end of years of warfare between France and Great Britain. Thousands of Ohio farmers lost their land due to their inability to pay off their mortgages.
2009 MEDINA COUNTY TIMELINE
©2009 by Stephen D. Hambley, Ph.D
The Changing Borders of Medina County Medina County did not obtain its current boundary lines until 1840. At one time it included eleven additional townships that are currently located in Lorain and Summit Counties. Before Summit and Lorain counties were formed, Medina County included the townships of Norton, Copley, Bath and Richfield to the east, and Grafton, Sullivan, Penfield and Huntington to the west. The 17 townships which made up the current area of Medina County are: Brunswick, Chatham, Granger, Guilford, Harrisville, Hinckley, Homer, La Fayette, Litchfield, Liverpool, Medina, Montville, Sharon, Spencer, Wadsworth, Westfield, and York.
US CENSUS POPULATION GROWTH 1818 TO 1880* Community 1818 1840 1850 1860 1870 Brunswick 167 1,116 1,417 1,269 980 Chatham 107 555 1,167 1,160 980 Granger 184 954 1,317 1,025 987 Guilford 209 1,402 1,800 1,520 1,809 Harrisville 231 1,256 1,477 1,226 1,182 Hinckley 118 1,287 1,416 1,239 972 Homer 72 660 1,102 993 886 La Fayette 91 938 1,332 1,325 1,109 Litchfield 96 787 1,312 1,118 860 Liverpool 219 1,502 2,203 1,807 1,425 Medina 163 1,435 2,011 2,159 1,553 Montville 87 915 1,077 957 1,097 Sharon 96 1,314 1,519 1,313 1,131 Spencer 81 551 1,336 1,082 929 Wadsworth 227 1,481 1,622 1,703 2,283 Westfield 79 1,031 1,122 1,122 1,023 York 124 782 1,211 1,069 886 *As reported in History of Medina County (Baskin & Battey, Chicago, Ill. 1881)
1880 943 1,006 1,008 1,872 1,382 962 863 1,105 853 1,339 1,849 1,304 1,195 898 2,837 1,045 992
Township (Year First Pioneers and First Settlers Post Offices in 1880 MEDINA COUNTY EVENTS Settled) STATE AND NATIONAL EVENTS (Established)* Liverpool (1810) Seba Bronson Jr., Moses and Ruth Deming, Alpheus and Minerva W arner, Justus W arner, John Cossett, W illiam Liverpool (1810's) W arner, Noah W arner, Erastus W arner, Eliada W arner, Seth and Zary W arden, Edward Heath Harrisville (1811) Joseph and Rachel Harris, George and Russell Burr, Calvin and Lyman Corbin, James Rogers Pawnee (1879); Lodi (1829) Medina (1814) Zenas Hamilton, James Moore, James Palmer, Chamberlin and Jacob Marsh, Rufus Ferris, Hiram Bronson, Noah Bronson, J and NB Northrop, the W arners, Augustus Philips, Lathrop Seymour and Gad Blakeslee. Samuel and Sarah Tillotson, Solomon Harvey, Solomon and Frederick Deming, John Hulet, Seymour Chapin, John Stearns, Andrew Deming, Henry Bogue, Ephraim Lindley, W P Stevens, John Freese, BW Freese, Dr Seth Blood, Jacob W ard, Hervey Stebbins, L Thayer, Rhoda Stowe, W Root, P Clark, Peter Berdan, John Berdan, A Berdan, Darius Francis, Henry Parker James Gaynard, Elizur Hills, Anthony Low, Burt Codding, John Codding, Elizur W olcott, Festus Gaynard, Seth Dye, Richard Pall, Seth Paull, James Festus, Daniel Burt, Nathan Hatch, Benjamin Burt, John Burt, Daniel Burt, Belia Spencer, Amanda Isbell, Hoel Hatch, NA Goodwin, Ira Ingraham David Point, Stephen Green, Abraham Valland, Lyman Green, Charles McFarlin Medina (1819) Wadsworth (1828) Brunswick (1820)
W adsworth (1814) Benjamin Dean, Daniel Dean, Olver Durham, W illiam and Mary Rasor Brunswick (1815)
Granger (1816)
Remson's Corners (1855); Granger (1828)
Sharon (1816)
Smith's Road (1850); Sharon Center (1838) Guilford (1817) John and David W ilson, W illiam Moore, Henry and Chester Hosmer, Mary T Hosmer, Shubael and Abigail Porter, River Styx (1828); Seville Lyman Munson and Moses Noble (1825) W estfield (1817) Hanmer Palmer, Eber Mallory, Dr Richard Morton, John J Morton, Benjamin Morton, Timothy Nye, Richard Friendsville (1867); Le Roy Marshall, Joseph W inston, Issac Ford, W arren Brainard, James Chapman, George Collier, A Chapman, N Brainard, James Ross, JM Eastman, Isaac Snell, Andrew Lewis, Elihu Hathaway, W iley Hamilton, Moses Noble, (1825) Horace Noble, Eber and Jemima Mallory. Chatham (1819) Moses Parsons, Nathan Hall, Henry K. Joline, Amos Utter, Phoneas and Truman Davis, Isaac Vandeventer, Chatham (1837) W illiam Foltz, Orrin Parmeter, Nebediah Cass, W illiam Goodwin, Pleasant Feazle Hinckley (1819) Frederick Deming, James Stillman, Thomas N Easton, Jared Thayer, Joab Loomis, Robbin Stillman, Curtis Bennett's Corners (1868); Bulard, Ingersoll Porter, David Babcock, DM Conant, Abraham Freeze, Rueben Ingersoll, Josiah Piper, Samuel Hinckley (1825) Porter, Richard Swift, Jonathan Fisk, Thomas Stow, Damon, Shaw, Searles, Eastwood Montville (1819) Austin Badger, Samuel Brown, Philo W elton, Parker Pelton Sr., Thomas Currier, Amasa Smith, Seth Hoyt, John Poe (1860) Lawrence, Joseph Pimlot, GF Atherton, Aaron Smith Spencer (1823) John P Marsh, Phineas Davis, Bizzard, Ezekiel Bissett, Gershum Bissett, Space, Samuel Falconer, Linzey Spencer (1834) Benett, Henry W ood, John Park, Abel W ood, Bachelor W ing, Richard W est, Calvin Spencer Lafayette (1825) W illiam Bissett, Amos Hubbard, Vivalda W ood, Ephraim Harris, Henry C Ransom, Henry F Hall, Ezekiel Slater, Chippewa Lake (1878); Anson Bellamy, Chancey Foote, Isaiah Allen, Shadrach Doane, Abraham Brooks, Edward Starr, Alexander Whittlesey (1850) Barrett, Elijah Hubbard, Mile Loomis, Jeremiah Doty, Matther Leffingwell Erhart (1878); Litchfield Litchfield (1830) Cyrus Cook, E Hood, J Vandventer, George Olcott, Thomas W ilcox, Asah Howd, Johnathan Richards (1832) Abbeyville (1838); Mallet York (1830) George W ilson, Levi Branch, Lawson Branch, Harvey Bruce, E. Munger, John Dunshee, Reuben Stickney, Solomon Hubbard, Alexander Forbes, Philo Fenn, Thomas Brintnall, Sylvanus Thunn Creek (1837) Homer (1831) John Park, Duncan W illiams, Elijah W ing, Henry Laughman, Asa Baird, Samuel and Isaac Vanderhoof, W ebster Holcomb, Charles and Daniel Perkins, James Stevenson, David Snively, John Douglas, W illiam Finley, George Homerville (1844) Durk, Solomon Smith, James and Joseph Crawford, Solomon and John Miller, W illiam Jeffrey, Joseph Faulk, Skebe Low, Daniel Snively, John Tanner, Batchelder W ing, John Jeffrey *As reported in History of Medina County (Baskin & Battey, Chicago, Ill. 1881)
· Governor Ethan Allen Brown convinces the Ohio legislature to establish the Ohio Canal Commission, formation of the board was conditioned on the United States government either donating or selling land to the Ohio government for the canal. The United States government refused, and the Ohio Canal Commission did not complete a survey.
· James Moore elected to serve as Medina County's first Ohio State Representative. · Medina County population at 3,082 1824 · "The Pike" between Cleveland and Wooster completed- through Brunswick, Medina and Seville. 1827 · Ohio & Erie Canal completed to Akron by 1827 and to nearby Clinton in 1828 provided a speedy and economical way to transport local produce to eastern markets. In 1827, the price of a bushel of wheat that a local farmer could get leaped from five cents to a dollar almost overnight.
US Congress passes Land Act of 1820 and the Relief Act of 1821 to help frontier farmers and communities during the national recession. Land Act reduced the number of acres that Ohioans had to purchase from 160 to eighty and the cost from $2.00 per acre to $1.25 per acre, thus encouraging additional land sales. The Relief Act permitted Ohioans to return back to the government land they could not pay for while granting them a credit towards their debt; also extended credit to the buyer for eight more years. 1822 · Beginning of Canal Era in Ohio. Ohio Legislature created a new Ohio Canal Commission and hired James Geddes, an engineer who had worked on the Erie Canal in New York, to determine the best routes available for a canal from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. Geddes proposed three routes. Ohio & Erie Canal started construction in 1825; extended from Cleveland to Portsmouth, completed in 1832. Took 80 hours to travel from Cleveland to Ohio River. Nearest market port: Clinton. Miami & Erie Canal commenced 1825 and completed 1845. When all canals completed by 1847 Ohio had 813 miles of canal and slack-water navigation. 1824 · Englishmen, Joseph Aspdin patents modern building material called Portland cement. 1825 National Road reaches St Clairsville; road becomes nation's major east-west land route, thereby greatly advancing Ohio's economic development. Ohio turns the National Road into a toll road to cover costs of maintenance. While improving transportation and communication between Ohio frontier and the East, most Ohioans relied on the Ohio River and Lake Erie to send their goods to the major markets of the Eastern United States instead. First free public school system in Ohio opens in Cincinnati 1829 · United States forces the Delawares Indians to relinquish their remaining land in Ohio and move west of the Mississippi River.
Map of Ohio Erie Canal through Northeast Ohio by A. Reed published by Silus Andrus, Hartford, Connecticut (1831).
1829 · First commercial coalmine opens in southeast Wadsworth. · "Gash" Township surveyed  first named to honor the Scottish hometown of the surveyor but it only lasted for three months, when settlers decided to rename it Sharon Township. · Granger Temperance Society organizing in January with 41 charter members is the first in the county devoted to fasting, praying and promoting intemperance. Medina County Temperance Society forms in July.
"Tom Thumb" the 1 locomotive built in America runs from Baltimore to Ellicot's Mills on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. · 1st privately-supported high school west of Alleghenies opens in Elyria, Ohio 1831 · American, Cyrus H. McCormick invents the first commercially successful reaper, helping to accelerate growth in agricultural productivity · The newspaper serving Cleaveland dropped the "a" in spelling The Cleveland Advertiser and thereafter the village was referred to by the current spelling, despite being originally named for Moses Cleaveland. ·
· · Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 7,560; 145% increase since 1820. Large influx of German immigrants begin settling in Medina County. By 1850 German immigrants reportedly owned over half of Liverpool Township. Wadsworth experiences migrations of many Pennsylvania Dutch (Mennonites & Lutherans).
1833 National Road reaches Columbus from Maryland.
1835 Ohio wins so-called "Toledo War" with Michigan over boundary dispute. 1836 · First two editions of Eclectic Readers authored by Professor William Holmes McGuffey published in Cincinnati helped standardize education and became the primary textbook in US elementary school for 75 years. 1837 · Oberlin admits first woman student, becoming the 1st coeducational college in the US 1837 to 1840 · Economic depression resulting from financial crisis that followed a "Bank War" at federal level between supporters of Bank of the United States and the Jackson Administration. Approximately ten percent of American workers were unemployed at any one time. 1838 · Congress funded $30,000 to construct an experimental telegraph line using principle design from Samuel Morse from Washington to Baltimore, a distance of 40 miles. The message, "What hath God wrought?" sent by "Morse Code" from the old Supreme Court chamber in the US Capitol to his partner in Baltimore, officially opened the completed line of May 24, 1844.
1832 · The Constitutionalist, later to be called the Medina Gazette established. http://medinagazette.northcoastnow.com/ · Spencer Twp organized  originally to be named Marshfield or Marshtown after first settler of township. Final name chosen for Calvin Spencer who owned Spencer Mills and offered to donate $50 of lumber for schoolhouse if residents would name the township after him. 1833 · First Congregational Church of York organized. Three U.S. Presidents have spoken at this church- Benjamin Harrison, James A. Garfield and William McKinley. Ohio Governor George K. Nash (1900-1904) was raised in this church. · Hiram Miller moved into Hinckley Twp. and eventually becomes the county's "premier abolitionist and anti-slavery activist" - reportedly helping around 1,000 slaves toward freedom. Festus Ganyard and Ira Ingraham of adjoining Granger Township reportedly "supplied" Hiram with steady streams of runways seeking passage to Canada. 1835 · Medina Village incorporated, first in the county. www.medinaoh.org 1836 · Sharon Academy chartered and two-story structure built in Sharon Center. Academy had widespread reputation for quality "high school" education for many years. Building was torn down in 1851 to make room for Universalist Church and another building was fitted for instruction. As many as 112 student scholars attended at one time, however it declined and was closed in favor of a publicly funded high school.
1838 · First carriage factory in Ohio founded in Wadsworth.
· · Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 18,352 persons. Summit County is formed and Medina County loses Richfield, Bath, Copley and Norton Townships.
1841 · President William Henry Harrison dies in office after only one month; Vicepresident Tyler becomes the first American to succeed the presidency. 1842 · Cleveland Plain Dealer begins publication in January. 1845 · State Banking Act of 1845 enacted which provided for creation of branches of the "State Bank of Ohio" and authorized "independent banking companies". 1846 · Ohio State Board of Agriculture created to assist farmers in new farming practices. 1847 Catholic Diocese created in Cleveland 23 April; First telegraph line--from Cleveland to Pittsburgh--completed. 1846 to 1848 · U.S. war with Mexico. Because many Ohioans believed President Polk wanted to expand slavery, it was a very unpopular war among Whigs, Abolitionists, and Liberty Party members throughout the state. Regardless, approximately 7,000 Ohioans enlisted in the US Army during the Mexican War, most served under Zachary Taylor in northern Mexico. 1849 · Gold Rush in California
1841 · "Old" Courthouse built in Medina (Remodeled in 1873) 1842 · Two log chapels built on each side of Rocky River for Medina County Roman Catholics - one at Abbeyville and other at Liverpool Twp. 1845 · One-quarter of downtown Medina destroyed by fire. · Medina County Agricultural Society formed  livestock shows held on Medina Square until 1851. 1846 · Outbreak of Mexican War leads to 20 to 30 men from the county volunteering to meet the "Ohio quota" in the American Army of Occupation serving under General Winfield Scott. Medina County volunteers suffered three fatalities from the war. 1848 · Ohio Farmers Insurance Company chartered. Changed name to Westfield Companies in 1971. In 2009 largest employer in Medina County, with $3.6 billion in consolidated assets and $1.7 billion in written premium. Provides commercial and personal insurance in 18 states and surety services to customers in 28 states with a network of more than 1,200 independent insurance agencies. 1849 · First permanent Catholic Church in Medina County built of brick in Liverpool Twp; originally called St. Mary's, called St. Martin in 1861. http://www.stmartinvc.org/
SOMEONE IMPORTANT FROM MEDINA YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD ABOUT Francis Kimball, Attorney General of Ohio 1856 Francis Kimball served for only six months as Attorney General of Ohio and left the office due to poor health. He was affiliated with the Whig party for years, although he ran for Attorney General as an Anti-Nebraska Democrat and took a strong stance on anti-slavery and temperance issues. Kimball also served Medina County as the Prosecuting Attorney from 1849 to 1853.
· · Ohio holds Second Constitutional Convention; new constitution adopted in June 1851 and is today's fundamental law of Ohio, as subsequently amended. First Ohio State Fair to celebrate agriculture and livestock held in Hamilton County. Until 1886, it was held annually in various sites around the state  including 4 times in Cleveland  when the current site in Columbus was dedicated and now called Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds. 1851 · · Jacob Fussell the "Father of the American Ice Cream Industry" opened up the country's first ice cream factory in Baltimore, Md.
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 24,441 persons; a 33% increase since 1840.
1853 · Constitutionalist newspaper merges with Medina County Whig to form Medina County Gazette; enlarged to cover the county. 1855-56 · Great Competing Sleigh-Rides of Winter of 1855-56 involving Summit, Medina & Cuyahoga Counties. Medina Village entered race & won the flag with 182 four-horse teams in Akron, March 18, 1856. 1854 · Medina County Commissioners bought farm in La Fayette Township from John S. Jones for County Infirmary. In June, the Board of County Commissioners contracted with William Hickox & Brother to build a brick County Infirmary building, 29x59 feet, for the sum of $2,200. In February 1855, the first person admitted to the infirmary was 61-year-old Medina Village resident and former County Prosecutor Charles Olcott. Becomes home for aged, infirmed, insane, unwed and indigent. 1857 · · Phoenix Bank founded by Harrison G. Blake. "Old" added later. He named it Old Phoenix Bank because the town square had burnt down and was being rebuilt, rising out of the ashes like the mythical phoenix. Medina County Infirmary starts farming operations.
Dispatching trains by telegraph started in 1851, the same year Western Union began business. Western Union built its first transcontinental telegraph line in 1861, mainly along railroad rights-of-way. 1856 The first institution of higher education owned and operated by African Americans in Ohio, Wilberforce University, is incorporated. 1857 Panic of 1857 caused largely by Europe's declining purchase of American agricultural products and aided by new-fangled invention, the telegraph. The telegraph helped quickly spread the news that Ohio corporation, Cincinnati's Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company, had ceased operations and investors had lost all of their funds invested. Bad news helped srpead a nationwaide panic. 1858 Climax of slave issue in state erupted in the "Oberlin-Wellington Rescue" by a mob sympathetic to a runaway slave. 1859 · · Recently formed Republican Party wins control of both houses of Ohio Assembly and all state offices including governor. Former Ohioan and Summit County resident, John Brown leads 21 men on raid of federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry Virginia in hopes of inciting a slave insurrection. Furthered division between north and south. ·
1859 · Medina County Band formed  name changed over the years from Medina Silver Cornet Band, Medina Band, Grand Army of the Republic Band, Knights of Pythias Band, and Medina Community Band. www.medinacommunityband.org
· Republican presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln wins in Ohio with 52% of popular vote and wins majority in Electoral College. Election signals start of secessionist movement in southern states.
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 22,517 persons; an 8% decrease in population from 1850. First Mennonite Church chose Wadsworth as site of Mennonite College for training church leadership. Medina County Infirmary sees another two-story brick building, 30x41 feet, erected by William Hickox, just southeast of the 1854 Infirmary building. 1861 · ·
CIVIL WAR (1861-1865) · State of Ohio furnished total of 313,180 men to Union effort - equal to three of every five men in the state. Ohio ranked third highest contribution, exceeded only by New York and Pennsylvania. Number of Ohio volunteer and drafted soldiers killed or mortally wounded was 11,237, while 13,354 died of disease. An estimated 1,500 men from Medina County served during the war; two-thirds were volunteers. 1865 · 1st collegiate conservatory of music in US founded at Oberlin College. 1866 In Cincinnati, Lucy Hobbs Taylor first woman in the world to gradate from dental school. Ohio legislature included the motto "Imperium in Imperio" (Empire within an Empire) in a modified state seal. The official motto was removed from the seal in 1868, but remained the unofficial state motto until 1959, when "With God All Things are Possible" was adopted instead. In December, longest suspension bridge in the world up to that time is built in Cincinnati to cross over the Ohio River and connect downtown with Covington, Kentucky. It was 1,000 feet long with a deck clearance of 100 feet and designed by John Augustus Roebling who also designed the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. 1869 · First municipal owned railroad in country, Cincinnati Southern Railroad was organized by Ohio General Assembly and city voters approved a $10 million bond issue to construct the 336-mile railroad. Line provided direct passenger service from midwest to Chattanooga, Tennessee (a central hub for southern rail lines) and was dubbed "the Chattanooga Choo-Choo" by a newspaper reporter in 1880  well before the famous 1941 song by Glen Miller. Cincinnati recouped its original investment several times over and currently leases the line to Norfolk Southern.
1863 · First National Bank of Lodi organized · First Railroad through Wadsworth completed. Atlantic & Great Western RR (1863-1880); New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio RR (1880-1896); Erie RR 99-year lease in 1896. 1864 · The County Infirmary building built in 1854 was completely destroyed by fire, reportedly by insane inmates. 1867- 69 · A.I. Root acquired honey extractor from Germany and started extracting honey from beeswax. In 1869, A.I. Root founded the Root Company to manufacture a new type of beehive. www.rootcandles.com (Historic plaque at 23 Public Square (N Court) , Medina, Ohio)
Medina County Population 1820-1900
30,000 25,000 Persons 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 1820 1830 1840 1850 1860 Year 1870 1880 1890 1900
COUNTY POPULATION STAGNANT FOR MUCH OF 19TH CENTURY Medina County population in the 19th Century topped off at 24,441 men, women and children in 1850, then declined and remained fairly stagnant throughout the rest of the century.
250 200 150 100 50 0
$2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $1860 1870 1880 1890 1900
Manufacturing in Medina County Industrial production and the number of firms manufacturing in Medina County rose steadily until the mid1880s. Following the Depression of 1884, both rebounded into the next century as industrialization, increasing immigration, and expanded access to steam railroad freight services benefited the entire region.
Medina County, 1860-1900 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, Number 85 196 191 111 143 ANNUAL VALUE OF PRODUCTS IN MANUFACTURING, $ 262,874 747,617 891,533 829,853 1,435,508
Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College chartered as part of Federal Morrill Land Grant Act, now is Ohio State University. · Dr. B.F. Goodrich relocated his small rubber factory in Akron. · Standard Oil Company chartered by John D. Rockefeller of Cleveland. Became prototype of new form of business consolidation called "trust." Cleveland rose as oil refining center. 1871 · Ohio electors voted to call a constitutional convention, which re-wrote the 1851 Ohio Constitution and submitted it to the voters for approval. It took until 1874 to organize the convention and arrive at a draft constitution for voter consideration. ·
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 20,092 persons; an 11% decrease in population from 1860. · Chippewa Lake opened as pleasure resort. www.forgottenoh.com/Chippewa/chippewa.html · The "Medina Fire"- burned almost the entire town- 45 buildings destroyed. The fireproof safe at old Phoenix Bank was reportedly dragged out into the street to preserve the townsfolk's savings. 1871 · In November, Lake Shore, Tuscarawas & Wheeling RR track completed to Medina- symbolic joining of Iron Ore from Lake Superior region and coal of the Tuscarawas Valley. LST&W RR later became Baltimore & Ohio RR. First carload of passenger traffic celebrated as a day of emancipation as many publicly rejoiced, "We are out of the wilderness!" www.borhs.org 1872 · Railroad opened from Seville to Massillon, later expanded and became the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling. Later operated by the B&O RR. 1873 · Phoenix Bank chartered by US Treasury Department. · Lodi Hospital built and operated by G.W. Jason. Later purchased by village and operated as community hospital. · The famed "Seville Giants" Captain Martin Van Buren Bates and Anna Swan Bates moved into 130-acre farm just east of Seville. · Commissioners build four-room addition to front of "Old" 1841 Courthouse, which includes new belfry and clock tower with a bell weighing 1,000 pounds. 1874 · Resulting from local Women's Temperance League protests against saloons, Medina Village became entirely "dry" for 1st time
1872-73 Horse epidemic hits many cities, including Cleveland. Called the "Great Epizootic", the whole street railway industry grinds to a halt. 1873 · Panic of 1873. Depression lasted for 5 years. Dissatisfaction with Republican Party policies in Ohio, led to strengthening of Democratic Party candidates that successfully courted Greenback Labor Party support (3rd party).
1874 · In August 1874, the Ohio Constitutional Convention submitted a new constitution to Ohio's voters for ratification. Voters overwhelmingly rejected it in November by a vote of 102,885 in favor of ratification and 250,169 opposed to the document's adoption.
1877 · Medina Library Association formed under leadership of Prof. WR Cummings, Supt. of Medina schools. Reading room established on Medina square. 1878 · A.I. Root erected his new factory next of B&O Railroad on the old Medina County fairgrounds purchased from the county commissioners.
Game of Bingo is developed from the Italian lotto game of tumbula (Tombola) 1881 · President James A. Garfield assassinated. Killed by the ignorance of his doctors. 1882 · Western Reserve College moves to Cleveland Ohio from Hudson in Summit County. Cleveland School of Art established. 1884 · Depression of 1884. Grover Cleveland elected President, first Democrat elected since James Buchanan in 1856. · Ohio struck by disastrous flood of Ohio, Cincinnati riot, and Hocking Valley coal-miners strike. · First commercial electric powered streetcar operated in North America by East Cleveland Railway Co. 1886 · Hydroelectric installations begun at Niagara Falls by Westinghouse. Beginning of Age of AC Electric Transmission. ·
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 21,453 persons; a 7% increase in population from 1870, thus reversing a 2-decade decline. · Peak of coal mining industry in Wadsworth area. 1881 · First passenger trains run over the Wheeling & Lake Erie RR. www.wlerwy.com/WLEOnly/history.htm 1882 · Roller-skating craze of 1882-86 hits Medina with a rink set up in Phoenix Hall. 1884 · Costing a little over $16,000, St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Medina erects large stone edifice, which Church Historian G.F. Smythe observed was "incomparably the finest Episcopal church in any country town at the time." 1886 · The Lodi Review newspaper established. Circulation in 1890 equaled 600. 1887 · Medina County Veterans Service Office formed. www.co.medina.oh.us/veterans/veteranshome.htm
STEAM RAILROADS IN MEDINA COUNTY 1890
By 1890 Medina County communities were well served by a network of 5 steam railroad companies linking the county to regional and national markets. MAP LEGEND B&O = Baltimore & Ohio RR CL&W = Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling RR NYP&O = New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio RR NO = Northern Ohio RR W&LE = Wheeling & Lake Erie RR
· · · Protectionist McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 resulted in decline in U.S. imports and exports. U.S. Senator from Ohio John Sherman introduces anti-trust law in attempt to regulate corrupt business practices nationwide. Major labor laws passed in Ohio which established free employment agencies in most cities, designated 1st Monday in September as Labor Day and a legal holiday.
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 21,742 persons; a 1% increase in population from 1880. · First Story about the "Great Hinckley Hunt" published in American Field of Chicago, January 4, 1890 by Captain Milton P. Peirce. · Pittsburgh, Akron & Western Railway Co. constructed tracks from Akron to Carey, Ohio, approx. 171 miles. Akron, Canton & Youngstown RR took over to operate line. · Northern Ohio RR extended line through Sharon Township- spurred business development in township; almost immediately a Feed & Grist Mill and Coal Supply Depot constructed. · Northern Ohio RR extended line through Spencer- killed village of River Corners. Spurred growth of Spencer at intersection of two railroads: grain elevator built by NE Fuller and JH Firestone. · First commercial oil well developed in Chatham Township on the F.R. Shaw farm, starting the first of three oil booms in the township. 1893 · Phoenix Bank re-chartered by Treasury Depart. as Old Phoenix National Bank. · Wadsworth Salt Company incorporated and quickly became one of town's most important industries- at one time employed 125 men. It used 25 artesian wells to force water through salt deposits located about 3,000 feet below ground. The brine was then evaporated to make the "The Saltiest Salt," because it did not have to be purified before sale. Fire destroyed the building in 1927 and was not rebuilt. Ceased operations in 1928 and purchased by Ohio Salt Company. · Despite being condemned by State as unfit for human habitation, bond issue to build a new main building at the Medina County Infirmary (County Home) was defeated by 52% the voters. Going into debt in the middle of very poor economic times encouraged many to prefer a plan to repair the existing structures. http://www.co.medina.oh.us/countyhome/cohome.htm 1894 · County Commissioners Leach, Yoder and Evans returned the County Infirmary issue back to voters while inviting civic groups, elected officials and business committees to tour the deteriorated buildings. Many did and most wrote accounts in the local newspaper urging the public to support the new bond issue. This time, 64% of the voters approved the issuing of bonds to build the main structure of the County Home.
1891 · W.L. Judson invents clothing zipper - not in practical use until 1919. · Ohio adopts election reforms to thwart city political bosses under the Australian ballot system. (secret ballot, etc.)
1892 · First automatic telephone switchboard introduced. 1893 · First Ohio death (inheritance) tax enacted. · Panic of 1893. Turned into Depression that was worst in US History to that date. In Akron and Cleveland, unemployment in major industries were well over 50% of workforce. · Depression lasted until 1897. 1894 · Ohio Legislature altered state law to make it easier to form financial trusts: enabled formation of several large trusts in Cleveland- Cleveland Trust (Ameritrust), Guardian Savings & Trust Co. Cleveland remained Ohio's investment banking center into 20th century.
1895 · First large scale interurban line in Ohio organized and built line between Akron and Cleveland: the Akron, Bedford and Cleveland Railway Co. later became Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company. 1896 · October 1, the Federal Post Office establishes Rural free delivery across the country. 1898. · · February 15, USS Battleship MAINE explodes in Havana Harbor, Cuba, 266 crewmen killed. April 11 - McKinley asks Congress for war, April 16 - Army begins mobilization. Teller Amendment passes in U.S. Congress, stating that the U.S. would not annex Cuba; April 19 - U.S. Congress declares Cuba independent; April 25 - U.S. declares war, but makes the declaration retroactive to April 22. Spanish-American War takes place between April and August 1898. US losses were 345 dead, and 1,645 wounded. Almost 15,300 Ohioans served in US military operations and 230 of them died, principally from diseases. In December, the signing of the Treaty of Paris gives the United States control of Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The war effectively ended the Spanish empire and marked American entry into world affairs. In order to pay the costs of the war, Congress passed an excise tax on long-distance phone service. The tax remained in place for over 100 years, even after the war debts were paid for within a few years. It remained until August 1, 2006, when the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced it would no longer collect the tax.
1896 · Ohio Match Company founded by E.J. Young in Wadsworth. At one time, the Ohio Match Company employed over 1100 people, and unique among manufacturers at the time about one-half were women.
AI Root Historical Marker and Homestead 662 West Liberty Street, Medina, Ohio 44256
1897 · A.I. Root was surpassing all previous sales records in manufactured goods, even though national recession. 1899 · Group of Cleveland businessmen in "New Fangled" Automobile take pleasure trip down Wooster Pike to Medina Square  1st reported sighting of horseless carriage in county
· · Born in York, Twp, Medina County, George K. Nash is inaugurated as Ohio Governor. Served from 1900-1904. The heroic Casey Jones dies at the throttle of his "Cannonball," saving his passengers' lives by trying to slow down. Ballads and folktales commemorate the dramatic act that catches the imagination of the country.
· · Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 21,958 persons; a 1% increase in population from 1890. Farmers Savings Bank founded by Jacob Firestone in Spencer. In 1997 the bank became the first subchapter S bank in the State of Ohio. This was probably one of the wisest decisions the bank has made, helping it become one of the safest and most secure independent banks in the county. In 1997 the bank became the first subchapter S bank in the State of Ohio, helping it become one of the safest and most secure independent banks in the county. In 2009, the bank had a five-star rating and the only independent bank remaining in county. http://www.fsbspencer.com/index.html
Progressive reformer Tom L. Johnson elected mayor of Cleveland (1901-09). Reforms of his administration earned it the praiseworthy label of "the City on the Hill". · September 14, President William McKinley and former Ohio Governor dies after being shot on September 6, Theodore Roosevelt becomes President. 1903 · The Wright Brothers of Dayton made first manned flight. A.I. Root witnessed flight in 1904 and published first account in January 1, 1905. · Voters ratify Ohio Constitutional amendment that confers a limited veto power on the Ohio governor. ·
Cleveland and Southwestern Electric Railway (CS&W) completed to Brunswick substation near Center Road. 1902 · Medina County Commissioners approve purchase of 116 acres of farmland from Spitzer family in Lafayette Township for the Medina County Infirmary (Home) residents. The land is the site of the Medina County Akron University Center and Technology Park completed in 2008. 1903 · CS&W completed to Chippewa Lake and to Seville. Eventually CS&W line completed to Wooster. · Wadsworth Electric Light Plant built. 1904 · Medina Farmer's Exchange incorporated · Lodi Electric Light Plant built. · Brunswick Telephone Company installed the first phones and strung lines to connect the small farming community with Valley City and Hinckley. First printed directory was a single sheet with 24 listings, grew to over 100 names by 1918 1905 · Franklin Sylvester- wealthy cattleman and dealer from Granger Twp. furnished money to build library building. Sylvester Library Association formed. · Charles Menches of Canton introduces ice cream cone to Medina County Fair. 1907 · Medina Library completed building at southeast corner of Broadway and Washington; original number of volumes was 2,000. · First street car from Akron to Wadsworth on Northern Ohio Traction Company (NOTL). Approximately 1,500 Wadsworth residents attended the opening. Line ceased operations in 1933. 1908 · In March 1908, Brunswick Township voters approved a 3-mill property tax levy to spend around $20,000 to construct a brick pavement for 2 of the 4 main roads in town. Voters chose to pave both sections of the north-south road called the Wooster-Medina Pike (Pearl Road) rather than the west road to link with the C&SW interurban on Substation Road as suggested by a Medina County Gazette editorial. 1909 · CS&W completed through Lodi and extended through southeast corner of Homer Township. Eventually CS&W extended to Mansfield and Bucyrus, connecting with line to Marion and Columbus. CS&W established daily services in Lodi. ·
1906 · State legislature passes law that authorizes local option on the sale of liquor in residential districts. 1907 · Panic of 1907 causes runs on banks.
1908 · Ohio passes Rose Law permitting "local option" for counties prohibiting establishments from selling liquor. · Ford Motor Company produces the first Model T automobile - 15 million eventually sold.
Pressures for property tax reform led to creation of one State Tax Commission to supervise local tax administration. 1912 · Ohio Constitutional Convention and Amendments: Gave cities right to charter government, established workman's compensation, wage and hour regulations, health standards in workplace, banking safeguards, initiative and referendum, direct primaries, civil service reform, and governor the power of the item veto. Authorized personal income taxes. Signaled the peak of progressive reform in Ohio. 1913 · Massive destruction from the Great Flood of 1913 ($300 million in damages, more than 20,000 homes totally destroyed & over 500 killed) prompts Conservancy Law of 1914 enabling formation of watershed districts. Few remaining sections of Ohio & Erie Canal destroyed by flood, bringing the state's canal days to an end. 1914 · War begins in Europe. 1917-1919 · US fought in the "War to End All Wars." 1918 · German Alien Registration Act passed US Congress which required all German males 14 or older not naturalized to register at police stations or post offices as "alien enemies." Symptomatic wave of anti-German actions that spread throughout US, such as renaming German sounding food, landmarks, streets and towns with anglicized names. May, 1919 Ohio General Assembly outlawed the teaching of German language in all elementary schools. · First concert of the Cleveland Orchestra held in early December. 1918-1919 · Influenza Epidemic, so-called "Spanish Flu" sweeps U.S. and world. In the United States around 28% of the population was infected and 675,000 people died from the epidemic. In today's terms that would mean a total 1.5 million deaths. In Ohio more than 1 million contracted the flu in the peak month and nearly 19,000 died. 1919 · Women granted constitutional right to vote. · Ohio Farm Bureau organized. Organizations formed soon after throughout the country. www.ofbf.org ·
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 23,598 persons; a 7% increase in population from 1900. · Medina County received a record accumulation of 81 inches of snow. 1912 · Medina attorney Frank Woods represented Medina County district to Ohio Constitutional Convention. Served as the temporary chairman of the convention, before the election of officers. 1913 · Lodi Commercial Club organized. · Lodi Automobile Club organized with 10 members and became associated with state organization. 1916 · Pythian Sisters Home in Medina Village dedicated; Farm was willed to the order by Sophia Huntington Porter. · Wadsworth Village purchases the private Wadsworth Light and Water Company, which provided electric, sanitary sewer and water to residents. Village abandoned local electric generation plant in favor of bulk purchases from Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company (predecessor of Ohio Edison). 1917 · Medina County Red Cross chapter formed with first meeting in June. Wadsworth Red Cross Chapter formed one month later. www.medinaredcross.org 1918 · "Oil Rush" hits Chatham Twp where hundreds of wells by speculators on leased farmland are precariously drilled. Almost every lot in township had oil well with pump. By 1920, 35 drilling rigs were operating in Chatham Township.
MEDINA: AN INTERURBAN COUNTY Medina County was served by two of the largest interurban electric railways in Northeast Ohio  the Cleveland & Southwestern RR (226 miles) and the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company (256 miles). Aided by access to speedy transportation and motivated by increasing demand for dairy products in the Cleveland area, farmers along the C&SW purchased more cattle, built larger barns and expanded their milk production. As a result, Medina County grew into a leading county for dairy farmers.
For the first time in US history, more people live in urban communities than rural with 54,253,282 versus 51,768,255 according to US Census. · Ohio Senator William G. Harding elected president. Last Ohioan to be elected to presidency and first sitting US Senator elected president. · First woman in Ohio to be elected judge, Florence Ellinwood Allen, wins seat on Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. · The Band-Aid invented by Earle Dickson. · The National Football League was organized in the showroom of a Canton car dealership, originally called the American Professional Football Association the name was changed to the NFL in 1922. Football great, Jim Thorpe was named first president of the association. 1921 · Post-war Depression · President Warren G Harding appoints fellow Ohioan and former President William Howard Taft as chief justice of US Supreme Court  the only man ever to serve as both president and chief justice of the United States. 1922 · First women elected to Ohio legislature- 2 to the Senate and 4 to the House. Florence Allen of Cleveland elected to Ohio Supreme Court- first state high court in US to include women. · African American, Garrett Augustus Morgan of Cleveland becomes first inventor to file a patent for an automated traffic signal. · First commercial radio station in Northeast Ohio, WHK begins broadcasting. 1924 Worst Ohio twister, Lorain Tornado killed 85 people, injured 1,000, and destroyed 200 stores, 500 homes. Around 10,000 were left homeless. Ohio Governor refused to seek federal aid, forcing citizens of Lorain to rebuild city with donations from other Ohioans and their own money. Republican National Convention held in Cleveland Ohio and nominates Calvin Coolidge as GOP presidential candidate. 1925 · The first municipal owned airport in the US opens in Cleveland. · Ohio's first tax on motor vehicle fuel levied (2 cents per gallon). First statutory requirement for 6 year real estate value reappraisal cycle. 1928 · Scottish biologist Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin and Bubble gum invented by Walter E. Diemer. 1929 · Great Stock Market Crash of 1929. The Great Depression follows. ·
· · · · Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 26,067 persons; a 10% increase in population from 1910. Medina County villages and townships were combined into a general health district. Dr. R.A. Brintnall served as first Health Commissioner. One year later, Miss Constance Hanna became the county's 1st Public Health Nurse. BH&L Elevator & Supply Company at Valley City established along Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling RR station east of town. (B&O RR). Medina County Farm Bureau started
1921 · Wadsworth Municipal Hospital founded- Ohio Match Company donated building, equipment and site to the city.
1922 · Medina County Historical Society founded. http://www.medinahistorical.com/index.shtml 1923 · Cleveland Metroparks acquires 600 acres in Hinckley. Builds dam to create a 100-acre lake and start of largest public park in Medina County. http://www.clemetparks.com · New dance hall opens at Chippewa Lake; hosted many popular bands in 1920s 1925 · Ella M. Everhard donated the Leiter homestead to Wadsworth City to permanently house books. Special tax levy used to support the library. In 2001 the collection totaled over 190,000 items and served 30,000 cardholders. 1927 · Elmer and Clara Eyssen purchase 100-acre Tillotson farm in Brunswick Township on Wooster-Medina Pike (Pearl Road), name it "Mapleside" from the maple sugaring on the property. Starting a roadside stand, the family expands from maple syrup to produce such as apples, peaches, pears, plums and apple cider in the early 1930's. 1929 · Medina Community Chest formed - raised $12,000 in 2 day campaign. · A. I. Root Co. went out of honey business and concentrated on the production of beeswax candles.
The Great Depression (1929-1940) Cleveland Municipal Airport became 1st airport in nation with an air-traffic control tower. 1931 · "Star-Spangled Banner" officially replaced "Hail, Columbia" which had been the de-facto unofficial national anthem of the United States since the time of Washington. 1933 · Ohio enacts Horse-Racing Tax. · Photographer for Dayton Daily News, Myron Scott organizes a local "Soap Box Derby" in Dayton with 362 entrants. · National average unemployment rate at 24.9%; highest in twentieth century. · Financial woes of Great Depression encouraged a property tax revolt November 1933 popular referendum ratified state constitutional amendment that reduced normal maximum unvoted tax rate on real estate from fifteen to ten mills, Yes--979,061 (Passed) No--661,151. Loss of revenues to local and county governments was estimated at $45 million per year. Popular referendum also passed granting counties home rule government, like municipalities, if approved by majority of county voters. Yes--846,594 (Passed) No--742,925. · ·
Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 29,677 persons; a 14% increase in population from 1920. 1931 · Wadsworth becomes a city on January 1, 1931, with 4,997 inhabitants and adopts the Statutory Form of Government. In 2009, Wadsworth remains the only city in Medina County to not have a Charter form of municipal government. http://www.wadsworthcity.com/ · Brunswick Chamber of Commerce incorporated by state. http://www.brunswickareachamber.org · Cleveland & Southwestern Electric Railway bankrupted and ceased operations. 1933 · Mack Vault Company organized in Valley City. ·
1934 · Liverpool Fire Department organized. Started Street Fair in 1934.
Passengers Carried 9,000,000
Total Revenues $2,500,000
Passengers Carried
8,000,000 6,000,000 5,000,000 4,000,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 0
$1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $0
Total Revenues
CLEVELAND & SOUTHWESTERN RR PEAKS IN 1921 Plagued by growing competition from the automobile, transit buses and trucks in the 1920s, passenger ridership and total revenues peaked in 1921 and steadily declined until abandonment of the electric railway in early 1931.
· · · · National: Social Security Act signed into law. African-American and Cincinnati native Frederick McKinley Jones invents roof-mounted refrigeration system for long vehicles likes trucks, trains, and ships that revolutionized the food-shipping industry in the US. Ohio's Sales and Use Tax Enacted at 3%. (State Tax rate in 1996 at 5%.) School Foundation Program enacted by Ohio legislature to provide equal funding on basis of average daily attendance. Increased state funding to local schools by 800%. First time that state provided more than 1/2 of school expenses. Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was formed in 1935 to administer a program to encourage rural electrification by lending low-interest money to any group or company that would undertake the task. Cuyahoga County Home Rule Charter Commission submitted first of many proposals to reform county government comprising of a 9-person council elected at large, an appointed county chief executive officer with the authority to manage the county's administrative functions and select the department heads. Reform eliminated most of the elected county officials. Charter passed countywide with 53% of vote and a substantial majority in Cleveland. Voters in the rural communities eastern, southern and western largely opposed. The validity was legally contested at the Ohio Supreme Court (Howland v. Krause) in 1936. The court nullified the charter election since 47 of the 59 municipalities outside Cleveland voted it down.
1936 Farmers in Lorain and Medina counties formed the Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Jan. 3, 1936. By the end of the first year, 150 miles of line were constructed and the co-op was serving approximately 400 families. By 1956, co-op had grown to 575 miles of line, serving 4,677 customers, each using an average of 6,000-kilowatt hours per year. By 2009 it is one of the fastest growing co-ops in Ohio with about 14,000 consumers served in Lorain, Medina, Ashland, Huron and Wayne counties and over 1,300 miles of underground and overhead lines. The average consumer uses about 13,000 kilowatt-hours per year. http://www.lmre.org 1937 · Third and last Oil Boom in Chatham Township with introduction of new oil recovery technique. Improper sealing of wells & poor drilling techniques led to contamination of many water wells from brine. 1938 · Medina Chamber of Commerce formed. One of first items of business: sent a resolution to county officials to enforce laws to keep counties from dumping garbage in Medina County. Chamber opposes all-purpose Route 18 bypass around Medina, favored truck alternate only bypass to keep downtown business viable. http://www.medinaohchamber.com. · First public meeting held to organize a temporary hospital board and was charged to develop plans for a community hospital in Medina.
1939 · Germany invades Poland, starting WWII.
1939 · Work on 20 mile stretch of the so-called "suicide highway", State Route 18 from Montrose to Medina begins  takes 2 years, 40,000 cubic yards of concrete and cost $1 million.
US enter World War II in December 1941. Ohio Soil Conservation District Enabling Act passed. 1942 to 1963 districts established in every Ohio county with a vote of support by local landowners. 1941 December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor sneak attack thrusts US into WWII. 1942 · John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry built the first electronic digital computer. · Cleveland Transit System begins era of municipal operation of Cleveland Ohio's public transit system 1945 · US airplane drops the 1st atomic bomb used in warfare on Hiroshima, Japan. · World War II ends. Took more lives and caused more destruction than any other war in US history. Even with creation of United Nations to promote international peace, Cold War starts between USSR and US-Britain allies. · Cleveland Rams win NFL football title then moves to Los Angeles, the following year Cleveland Browns begin play in All-American Football Conference. 1946 · The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) computer goes into service in 1946 at the University of Pennsylvania; is considered the world's first truly electronic digital computer and start of Computer Age. · Largest strike wave in US History hits rail, auto, coal, electrical, steel and power companies. · The microwave oven is invented by Percy Spencer 1947 · Congress passes Taft-Hartley Act to restrict union practices. · Transistor invented in Bell Laboratories to replace massive vacuum tubes. · Ohio Constitutional Amendment prohibiting the expenditure of money from motor vehicles license taxes and gasoline taxes for other than highway and related purposes, Yes--1,037,650 (Passed) No--669,718 1948 · The Frisbee is invented by Walter Frederick Morrison and Warren Franscioni and "Velcro" invented by George de Mestral. 1949 · General Election, State Constitutional Amendment to permit the manufacture and sale of colored oleomargarine: passes - 1,282,206 to 799,473. · ·
Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 33,034 persons; a 11% increase in population from 1930. · Medina Supply Company formed by John Moxley, a native of Brunswick 1941 · Beginning operations, following a successful fundraising effort netting over $13,000 led by Medina Chamber of Commerce, aluminum casting manufacturer Permold in Cleveland enticed into relocating into a site on the west side of Medina. At height of the war effort, over 700 workers were employed. Scarcity of housing for workers led to establishment of Medfair Heights allotment, just north of the plant. · Westbound lane of State Route 18 from Medina to Montrose dedicated December 5, 1941 with Medina County Prosecutor William Batchelder, Jr. as toastmaster of ceremonies. State Highway Supt. promises work on eastbound side (south lane) will occur "soon". 1942 · Medina Hospital Association formed to solicit and acquire funds to establish private hospital in Medina. 1944 · Medina Community Hospital completed and formally dedicated with a modest 35 beds, dual surgical suites, a single X-ray camera, and very small emergency room. The 20,000 square-foot facility only had an 8-member physician staff and 30 employees. http://www.medinahospital.org · Recognizing the need for improving and maintaining the productivity of Medina County farms through proper land use and conservation practices, the Medina County Solid and Water Conservation District established. http://www.medinaswcd.org/index.htm. 1945 · 10,800 ton USS Medina Victory Ship keeled in 1944 and launched in February 1945 at Permanente Kaiser # 1 Ship Yard in Richmond, California. The Victory ship was a type of cargo ship produced in large numbers to replace shipping losses caused by German submarines. 1949 · Lodi Commercial Club becomes Lodi Chamber of Commerce. http://www.lodiohiochamber.com ·
BEFORE AND AFTER NEW AND IMPROVED" STATE ROUTE 18 As it appeared in 1938 and then in 1941 with improved west-bound (northern lane). Photographs courtesy of Medina County Historical Society
· The first credit card invented by Ralph Schneider called "Diners" Card. 1950-1953 · Korean War. 1950s · Rise of commercial television, Rock & Roll music, and Automobile oriented suburban lifestyles 1952 The worst recorded polio epidemic in US history occurs, with 57,628 reported cases.
· · · Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 40,417 persons; a 22% increase in population from 1940. In June, Mayor John Brown announced that the Village of Medina would officially become a city. Brunswick Mapleside Farms' Elmer and Clara Eyssen pass on popular fruit-stand and business to youngest son, Bill and his wife Jane.
1952 · Summer season is marred by Polio outbreak in Medina County. Following cancellation of fairs in adjoining counties, Medina County Fair Board decides to cancel for the first time in 106 years over fears that Polio would spread. GOP Presidential Candidate, Senator Robert Taft visited Medina. Hinckley Board of Education votes to consolidate district with Granger-Sharon District to eventually form Highland School District.
1953 · Texas Instruments invents first commercial transistor radio.
1953 · A group of parents and concerned citizens formed the Society for Handicapped Children with a school and workshop. http://www.shc-medina.org In 1967, the Medina County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Board (http://www.mcbmrdd.org/) was established under the county government and in 1971 the Society was re-named to Citizens. Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority created at request of Medina Chamber of Commerce to State Housing Board in Columbus for establishment of authority to develop safe, sanitary and affordable housing. Authority took title of 76-unit Medfair Heights housing development from federal government. MMHA is governed by a five member board appointed by the Mayor of Brunswick; the Medina County Common Pleas Court; the Medina County Probate Court; and the Medina County Commissioners. http://www.mmha.org/
1954 · Constitutional amendments proposed by the general assembly get mixed support: Four-year terms of office for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and to limit the office of Governor to two successive terms passes with 1,165,650 voting yes and 933,716 no votes. However, voters declined the same proposed change to four-year terms for members of the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives with Yes 945,373 and No--1,081,099. · Dr. Jonas Salk and associates develop a safe injectable vaccine against polio, given to nearly 15,000 Pittsburgh-area subjects (most were children) in pilot trials, 1952-1954. · Federal Highway Act of 1954, single greatest peacetime construction program in world history, enacted and allocated $101 billion to construct a national highway system.
The 241-mile Ohio Turnpike is completed after only 38 months of construction. At peak construction, 10,000 workers were on the job and the landscape became dotted with more than 2,300 bulldozers, graders, loaders and other machines. In 1956, the first full year of operation, some 10 million cars and trucks used the Turnpike. In 2006, total traffic was more than 51.7 million vehicles. · American Federation of Labor (AFL) and Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) merge. · April 12, University of Michigan announces field trial results: Salk vaccine is "safe, effective and potent." Vaccine Evaluation Center becomes the model for future vaccine trials. From 1955-57, once vaccine becomes available, incidence of polio in the United States falls by 85-90%. By 1994 the entire Americas are certified polio free. Around 1,200 cases globally in 2005. · Mansfield based Tappan Company introduced first microwave oven for home use that retailed for $1,295. Microwave ovens surpassed the sale of gas ovens nationally in 1975. 1956 · "Asian Flu" Pandemic lasted from 1956 to 1958; death toll in the US was approximately 69,800 and worldwide between 1 million to 4 million. · Interstate Highway System authorized by Congress. Largest public works program in US history. · Constitutional amendments proposed by the general assembly to pay a bonus to veterans of the Korean conflict - passes with 2,202,510 in favor and 889,245 opposed. In a second issue, contrary to two years prior, voters decided to increase the terms of members of the State Senate to four years with Yes votes totaling 1,636,449 and 1,214,643 voting No. 1957 · Medina resident, Lt. Gov. John W. Brown serves as Ohio Governor from January 3 to 14th. In an address to state legislature he advocated more funds for public schools, conservation of natural resources, and discussed problems arising from urbanization. · Ohio & US experience sharp business recession. · U.S.S.R. launches Sputnik I & II, first earth satellites. · Ohio Department of Health initiates a program of free penicillin for Rheumatic Fever prevention to protect against repeat attacks and new threats of heart damage. 1959 · Fidel Castro overthrows Cuban President Batista & seizes U.S. owned sugar mills. ·
1956 · A 618-acre wildlife area was built by the State of Ohio in Spencer Township using federal funds. It was not until 1961 that the dike and dam structures were completed and 60 acres were flooded. The lake is constructed on a "saddle," or watershed divide, which means there are dam structures on both ends of the lake. In July 1969, a severe storm washed out the north dam and was rebuilt in 1970 enlarging the lake to 78 acres. 1957 · Cloverleaf School District created from 5 former school districts by the Medina County Board of Education. www.cls.k12.oh.us/ · Based upon articles in the Cleveland Press, over 9,000 people flocked into Hinckley Township on March 15th to initiate the first unofficial Buzzard Day. www.hinckleytwp.org/news/buzzardhistory.php 1958 · Group of Lodi residents started their own community library when Medina District Library failed to open up branch in village. Lodi Library opened doors in July 1960 organized under a local board. In 1961 Lodi Library became a branch of the Medina County District Library. 1959 · Medina County Sanitary Engineering Department established. From 1968 to 1990, County constructed $72.5 million worth of new sewage and treatment facilities. By January 2009 Medina County maintains 532 miles of sanitary sewer lines, 3 Waste Water Treatment Plants treating around 12.5 million gallons per day and serving approximately 33,755 homes and businesses. The Water Division has approximately 465 miles of water lines, 17 water storage tanks, 12 water pumping stations, and 3 water treatment plants that currently service approximately 14,000 customers. www.sanitaryengineer.co.medina.oh.us · Industrialist Amos Mears buys 57 acres on edge of Medina City to open a "modern" industrial park, setting off wave of industrial growth.
May 1, a U.S. U - 2 unarmed reconnaissance plane, piloted by Francis Gary Powers employed by the Central Intelligence Agency, was shot down by Soviet military authorities 1,200 miles inside the Soviet Union. In the following days, Nikita Khrushchev exploited the incident to sabotage the summit meeting between the Heads of Government of the United States, Soviet Union, France, and the United Kingdom, on May 16. Presidential Campaign between GOP Vice President Richard Nixon and Democratic Senator John F. Kennedy. Kennedy's close win was largely attributed to his better showing in the first televised presidential debate in history.
Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 65,315 persons; a 62% increase in population from 1950. The 1950s were the highest rate of growth in any decade of the 20th century. · February, newly formed Brunswick Village has a special election of residents seeking "detachment" which creates Brunswick Hills Township. Youngest township in county. · In May, employees of Wadsworth City Schools form Wadsworth Schools Federal Credit Union to serve the banking needs of the city's educators,. · Brunswick Village becomes a City in October. Forms Mayor-Council or "statutory" form of government. www.brunswick.oh.us/ · In August, urged by Society for Handicapped Children and Medina County Welfare Director Pauline Reigger, County Commissioners place on ballot 0.11 mill bond issue and a five year 0.6 mill levy to build and operate a "training school for retarded children of this county." November election finds overwhelming support (64 percent). Gazette (November 10, 1960) reports, "Medina County will become the first Ohio County to offer complete educational and vocational training for the handicapped. The mentally retarded, the slow learners and physically handicapped, both children and adults, will benefit from the new training facilities. " After nearly two years of problems and obstacles, construction began. In November of 1962, 4 classes and 7 workshop clients moved into the newly renovated building in Weymouth. 1961 United Appeal of Northern Medina County chartered. Later becomes United Way of Northern Medina County. Merges with United Way of Medina County in 1992. www.unitedwaymedina.org Wadsworth City Council enacts a 0.5% income tax which survives a referendum. 1962 · Celebrating its sesquicentennial, Liverpool Township held the very first Valley City Frog Jump competition July 21 & 22 at a local farm on Myrtle Hill. Several years later, Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes designated the Valley City contests as the official Ohio State championship contest. 1963 · Recognizing the need for a new hospital facility that could serve a wider geographic area, voters in the city of Wadsworth, Wadsworth Township, and Milton Township (which includes the city of Rittman) voted in May 1963, to create the Wadsworth Rittman Area Joint Township District of Wayne and Medina Counties. The Wadsworth-Rittman Area Hospital Association was formed to spearhead the construction project and to operate the new hospital. www.wrhhs.org 1964 · Medina County sees outbreak of Rheumatic Fever grow from 99 in 1963 to 199 by the end of 1964. ·
1961 · Berlin Wall constructed · Bay of Pigs landing. 1962 · Cleveland Innerbelt Freeway opens for full length · Cuban missile crisis · President Kennedy gives federal workers the right to collective bargain.
1963 · President John F Kennedy assassinated in November · Following nearly year long work by an Advisory Board of the Post Office Department, Postmaster General John A. Gronouski announced that a five digit the ZIP Code system would begin on July 1, 1963. · September, Pro Football Hall of Fame opens in Canton in large part due to the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Paul Brown. Since opening, more than 7 million people have visited. 1964 · Tonkin Gulf incident used by LBJ to escalate war in Vietnam. · LBJ successfully pushes Congress to pass a number of important Civil Rights Laws
· President Johnson outlines the goals of his "Great Society" in his State of the Union address which was to be achieved through a vast program that included an attack on diseases, a doubling of the war on poverty, greater enforcement of Civil Rights Law, immigration law reform and greater support of education. Social Security Act of 1965 is enacted resulting in the passing of two bills: Medicare and Medicaid. The act provided federal health insurance for the elderly (over 65) and for poor families. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawing the literacy test for voting eligibility in the South is passed and signed by President Johnson. Wide outbreak of 37 tornadoes on April 11 (Palm Sunday) kills 256 people, mostly in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. The movie version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer is released and will become one of the most popular musical motion pictures of all time. Spaghetti-O's are sold for the first time.
· In July, after completion of a 1 million gallon elevated water tank on US 42, Cleveland City water flows in Brunswick City, after 5 years of effort and planning, as well as passage of a 3.9 mill property tax levy in 1962. Citing that Medina County had the most serious judicial shortage in the state, Ohio Legislature approves a second Common Pleas Court Judge for Medina County, resulting in legal order to County Commissioners to provide proper facilities for second courtroom. State law reportedly decreed that all Common Pleas Court Rooms had to be located together in courthouse. I-71 at Brunswick exchange SR303 opened for access into Cuyahoga County Kidney Foundation of Medina County is (KFMC) formed to provide assistance with education expenses, transportation costs and education for those suffering from Kidney Disease. Originally, KFMC was a chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Ohio, Inc. until July 2002. The KFMC Board of Trustees elected to disassociate itself from its parent because of differing opinions on how funds were spent. The KFMC is now an independent entity serving all of Medina County. www.mckf.org The Northern Ohio Railway Museum (NORM) was founded in 1965 and incorporated in 1976 as a not-for-profit education and historical organization. Its goals are to collect, preserve, restore, operate and display streetcars and other railway related equipment. The NORM Carbarns & museum is located on Buffham Road in Westfield Township. www.trainweb.org/norm/ April, Medina County Park District is formed by Probate Judge WW Garver - not including Hinckley Township as part of Cleveland Metropolitan Park system. Starting with only 33 acres of land, as of 2009 Park District has grown to over 3,724 acres. In 2000, Wolf Creek Environmental Center building opened and includes a classroom for formal instruction, a lab room for detailed studies, rest rooms, offices, and a central gathering area for groups coming to the site. In 2008, Buffalo Creek Retreat - J Randall Baird Center adjacent to Hubbard Valley Park was added to the system to allow large-scale events such as conferences, weddings, reunions, showers. www.medinacountyparks.com/index.html On Palm Sunday, northern Medina County experiences worst tornado in its history with damages amounting to nearly $1 million. Even with extensive damage to homes and businesses, only 6 Medina County residents were injured. Statewide the storm killed 57 people and injured 200. November ballot issue for Medina County Park District fails.
· US Supreme Court decided controversial Miranda v. Arizona case, reversing an Arizona court's conviction of Ernesto Miranda on kidnapping and rape charges. In overturning Miranda's conviction, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote that the prosecution may not use statements made by a person in police custody unless certain minimum procedural safeguards were in place. This created the so-called "Miranda Rights warning": that you have the right to remain silent; that anything you say may be used as evidence against you; that you may request the presence of an attorney, either retained by you or appointed by the court; and that you have the right, even after beginning to answer questions, to stop answering or request an attorney. The Food and Drug Administration declares "the Pill" contraceptive safe for human use. Hough neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland erupts into riots lasting for several days. Cleveland Police Department proves to be ineffective in controlling the violence. 2,200 Ohio National Guardsmen are dispatched to reestablish order. Riots kill 4 African Americans, while arson fires destroy several blocks of homes and businesses. Part of national civil unrest, which became common in many Northern and Western cities, lasting from 1965 to 1968.
· In January, parochial students attending St Ambrose School in Brunswick were bused for the first time by the local school district when "fair bus" bill enacted by Ohio legislature in 1965 becomes effective. Spencer Village and Township became recipients of a trust fund established in the will of Farmer Savings Bank president, John B. Firestone. By 2004, trust fund has put thousands of dollars into local projects and college students. In June, Commissioners reveal Four Phase master plan for Courthouse Additions, which would eventually cover entire block. First phase matches current courthouse, while Phase Two included two-story addition to rear of Phase One. Phase Three included razing of "old" courthouse and construction of a new wing. Last phase forecasted for 25 years in future was construction of wing to the south. Because of public outcry by citizens, local governments and local historical societies over earlier design architect WB Huff and Associates re-designed the buildings in both contemporary and colonial architectural styles. Put on the ballot in November by Medina County Commissioners, a one mill levy to build a new courthouse as Phase One of master plan loses in every community but one township, with 68% voting no. Although endorsed by the Gazette Leader Post and other community leaders, many complained that the Commissioners paid too much for the property. Supporter of the ballot issue, Commissioner Howard Dunn (R) easily wins re-election with 61% of the vote. Commissioners forced to finance the project by issuing 20-year general obligation bonds pledging future general funds. Liverpool Township voters overwhelmingly (64% in favor) approve rezoning of more than 600 acres of land for Industrial Park on November ballot. Rezoning paves way for the county's largest heavy manufacturing industrial parks (900 aces of land in 2009) with lead tenant of Modern Tool and Die Company of Cleveland. MTD also pledged to establish a state-of-the-art research and development facility in the township. As of 2007, MTD Products Inc. was the 4th largest employer in Medina County with 1,176 full time employees. Wadsworth City Council increases municipal income tax to 0.75%, pledging to continue holding off any new real property tax levies. Proposed Medina City Income Tax suffers crushing defeat.
Ohio General Assembly enacts permissive tax package options for counties which included: 0.5% piggyback sales tax, $5 motor vehicle license tax, 3 mill real estate transfer tax, and county utility excise tax. Counties given permission to enact or place before voters tax options. Although endorsed by Governor James A Rhodes, the County Commissioners Association of Ohio opposed expanding the permissive taxing authorities of counties, arguing that it would be followed by mandatory expenses, as the state would then shift previously funded state programs to the county level. Secondly, most counties preferred the state to impose the taxes and disliked the provisions for popular referendum. · Ohio State Legislature increase state sales tax to 4 cents per dollar. · In October, State of Ohio enacted Amended State Bill 169 that created County Boards of Mental Retardation, thus separating prior boards created organized under County welfare departments into politically distinct organizations appointed by County Boards of Commissioners and Common Pleas Judges. · The first handheld calculator invented · Cleveland born Phil Donahue introduces new type of talk show for daytime television on WLWD-TV in Dayton. After syndication he later moved the show to Chicago and then New York City. By 1980 it was the most watched syndicated talk in the nation. Show went off the air in 1996. 1968 · 'Hong Kong Flu" Pandemic lasted from 1968 to 1969, killed an estimated one million people worldwide and approximately 33,800 people in the US. · Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy marks tumultuous year, including riots in over 100 American cities. · Cleveland--the first rail station (Rapid Transit) at an US airport is opened providing a speedy connection between a regional airport to the central city business district. · Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) a Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization authorized and mandated by federal statute is created by agreement between the County Commissioners of seven counties  Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina and Lorain. Is the first such agency in Ohio approved by Federal, State and Local officials. Initial responsibility is to review and coordinate federal grants to local governments and agencies. Transportation, water and air quality planning is added later. Other areas of regional cooperation, like land-use, law enforcement laboratory services, and building codes are pursued but never successful. ·
· · In April, Brunswick City Council votes a 1% income tax effective May, but only until it was repealed by popular referendum of two to one in November. Newly created Medina County Board of Mental Retardation under Amended State of Ohio Bill 169 takes administrative and financial responsibility of the training center and school at Weymouth. http://www.mcbmrdd.org County Commissioners approve $5 increase to motor vehicle license tags. In September, following new 4,00 foot lighted runway construction financed through $100,000 state grant, Wadsworth Municipal Airport is officially opened with Governor James A Rhodes flying into the airport in his 2-engine DC3. November election sees a proposed 0.5 mill law enforcement levy for County Sheriff defeated by 2,000 votes with 44% in favor  largest defeat came from the three cities. A 0.3 mill levy for Medina County Park District fails with only 39% in favor, while 0.5 mill renewal levy for County Health Department passes with a little over 52% of the vote.
1968 · Construction is underway for "New" Medina County Courthouse as designed by WB Huff and Associates with Greek Revival Colonial style architecture, which contrasted to the adjoining 1873 French Second Empire façade of the "Old" Courthouse.
· · Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins make historic first flight to land on the moon in Apollo 11. June, Cuyahoga River catches fire and blaze ignites public interest nationally in cleaning up nation's waterways from pollution and culminates in passage of Clean Water Act in 1972 and creation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In November the largest antiwar rally in US history takes place in Washington DC as 250,000 people gather to protest involvement in Vietnam War. Proposed Ohio constitutional amendments to lower the voting age from twenty-one to nineteen years is defeated with YES 1,226,592 and NO 1,274,334. Issue also defeated in Medina County.
· · In January, the controversial "New" Greek-Revival styled 3-story Medina County Courthouse dedicated. Total cost for land and building amounted to $954,411. Massive flood and damage resulted in creation of Chippewa Subdistrict in the Muskingham Watershed Conservancy District and construction of flood control structures. By 1969, the waters of the Chippewa Creek had become so silted up and obstructed with debris that a sudden heavy rainfall -- more than 11 inches in a 72hour period over the July 4 holiday weekend, resulted in property damage totaling $11 million in Wayne County and about $400,000 in Medina County. In a fourcounty area, 17 people died and at least 100 bridges and related structures, along with numerous roads, were damaged by the flooding. Eight flood control dams were constructed with federal funding in Medina and Wayne counties and improvements were made to 33 miles of channel along the Chippewa Creek. Ongoing maintenance of the flood control structures, banks and berms comes from a real estate tax assessment of about 1,200 landowners who directly benefit from the structures. Chippewa Lake Park is sold to Continental Business Enterprises, Inc, a Cleveland holding company in November. Over next several years company adds new rides and buildings to compete with Cedar Point and Geauga Lake. In November elections, 1.0 mill 5 year real property tax levy for county sheriff's department was handily voted down with 54% against; proposed new Brunswick City Charter form of government defeated with only 44% in favor.
Chippewa Lake Park
· · · · · · Apollo 13 moon mission interrupted by explosion. Miraculous return to earth. Nixon announces U.S. troops sent to Cambodia. Subsequent college campus protests and unrest leads to Kent State University shootings, killing 4 and wounding 9 students. 18-year olds given right to vote in federal elections. On April 22 the first Earth Day held which helped alert people to the dangers of pollution and stimulated a new environmental movement. US Environmental Protection Agency created to enforce Clean Air Act and Water Quality Improvement Act On August 12, 1970, President Nixon signed into law the most comprehensive postal legislation since the founding of the Republic, Public Law 91-375 that transformed the Post Office Department into the United States Postal Service, an independent establishment of the executive branch of the Government of the United States.
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 82,717 persons; a 27% increase in population from 1960  compared to 9.7% increase for entire state. County is officially recognized as being evenly split 50-50 urban and rural. The newly constructed hospital Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital commences service to patients at its present site in February. Its primary service area includes Medina, Wayne and Summit counties. In 1999 it had 113-beds, more than 150 medical staff members, and more than 400 employees.
1971 · US Supreme Court upholds busing as the primary way of achieving school integration. · In January, the seven county Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) voting membership is restructured  Cuyahoga County members increases by 8 to total 20 in a 49 member board and Summit gets 2 more to total 9. Medina, Geauga,and Portage each lose two members giving them 4, 3 and 4 respectively, Lorain County retains its six members and Lake County loses 1. NOACA empowered to review and approve all federally-funded projects in 9 county area · Ohio adopts state income tax to lower reliance on real property & sales taxes. · Inventions - Dot-matrix printer; liquid-crystal display (LCD), and microprocessor; VCR or videocassette recorder. · Constitutional amendment granting 18 year olds right to vote ratified.
1971 · Leroy changed to Westfield Center Village by referendum with 93% approval. http://www.villageofwestfieldcenter.com · Plagued by a succession of 18 months of deficit spending  driven largely by the costs of the new courthouse and sheriff department - County Commissioners passed a 0.5% "piggyback" sales tax starting on April 1, with provisions for an annual review of necessity. Over 5 year period, court budgets had increased 196% and sheriff budget increased 76%. Medina became the 19th out of 88 counties enacting the permissive tax for county purposes. Commissioners estimated the average annual cost would be $5.22 per person. · Calling it a "Shotgun Marriage" the four Medina County representatives to NOACA cast votes to continue aligning with 5 county Cleveland based planning organization, instead of AMATS Akron based organization. · Medina County Joint Vocational School real property tax 10-year building bond issue of 4.85 mills approved 9,537 FOR and 8,902 AGAINST, carrying in Cloverleaf, Buckeye, and Highland School Districts, while losing in Brunswick and Black River districts. 1972 Green Leaf · Medina Gazebo Bandstand built. Modeled after gazebo in Park Belleville, Ohio. · County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services created. · Medina County Park district opens its first park at the site of an old gravel pit, Green Leaf Park in Sharon Township.
· · Cease-fire agreement ends Vietnam War. Citing bickering and poor planning performance, Governor John Gilligan approves division of NOACA planning region, allowing Summit and Portage counties to form separate planning organization, despite objections from Cuyahoga County and Medina County. Final split of NOACA occurs in 1975 under Governor James Rhodes. · In May primary, voters authorize the state to conduct lotteries, net proceeds to be paid into state general revenue fund with 973,956 voting Yes and 547,655 voting No. Main proponents assert money would be used for a variety of general purposes in Ohio, such as lowering property taxes or fund such special projects as Vietnam War Veterans state bonus. · In November election, Ohio voters give approval for constitutional amendment permitting legislature to tax agricultural land according to its income-producing value to the farmer rather than its speculative value. Subsequent implementing state legislation creates Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) program that substantially reduces real estate tax burdens on farmland throughout state. 1973-74 · Oil-producing Arab nations conduct embargo because of Arab-Israeli war and America experiences an "energy crisis" as gas prices soar. 1974 · In August, President Richard Nixon resigns over charges of obstructing justice in the Watergate Burglary. · Cuyahoga Valley National Park is created as the first national park in Ohio totaling 15,000 acres of land. · Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created to insure private pensions against failures. Individual Retirement Accounts established for those not covered by private pensions. · 55 mile per hour nationwide speed limit enacted. · The National Mass Transportation Assistance Act expands the Urban Mass Transportation Act to provide federal funding for transit operating costs along with capital costs.
· · · In May, Medina County voters heavily favored State Issue altering the state constitution to permit lottery with vote of 9,461 FOR to 4,547 AGAINST. Art in the Park event in Medina Public Square started to show off the artistic talents of Medina County people. Trade organization, Medina County Home Builders Association is founded to promote the housing industry as an integral part of the economic vitality of the community. www.medinacountyhba.com After two solid defeats, in November Medina City voters approve a 0.5% percent payroll tax by a vote of 1,931 to 1,831 and carrying in 10 of Medina's 18 precincts.
1974 · Medina County Joint Vocational School (Career Center) begins in September; enrollment of 850 students in 1998. http://www.mcjvs.org/ui/
November 5, Brunswick City voters approve new charter establishing Council-City Manager form of government on January 1, 1975 by vote of 2,466 FOR and 1,962 AGAINST. Robert (Skip) Trimble hired as first City Manager in early part of 1975. In August, Commissioners from Medina, Summit and Portage counties decide to disband the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission at end of year. Medina County Commissioners create Medina County Regional Planning Commission.
Cuyahoga County voters approve 1% sales tax increase to fund countywide Regional Transit authority. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is formed through merger of Cleveland Transit System and Shaker Heights Rapid Transit. By October suburban bus systems in Brecksville, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights and North Olmsted join GCRTA through service agreements. 1976 · Federal Frank J Battisti issues controversial landmark decision ruling that Cleveland schools had practiced racial segregation and ordered cross-town busing of students. Critics argued that the court order would increase white flight from the city and leave the school system with predominantly disadvantaged minority children. · The winters 1976-77 and 1977-78 were the two coldest winters recorded in Ohio. 1977 · Honda Motor Company and State of Ohio officials announced that the company would be building manufacturing facilities near Marysville, Ohio. By 2008, Honda employs approximately 13,000 people at four separate manufacturing locations near Marysville. All combined the company employs 16,000 workers, approximately two-thirds of all Honda employees in the US. 1978 · On Feb. 6, Federal Judge Frank Battisti ruled against the Cleveland Public Schools in the desegregation case, which would lead to cross-town busing and encourage more white flight into surrounding suburbs. · Blizzard of '78  most severe snowstorm in Ohio history; 51 dead & over $100 million in damage. Cleveland saw wind chills at 100 degrees below zero. · Cleveland defaults on $14 million in debt; under Mayor Dennis Kucinich Cleveland is first major US city to default since the Great Depression. 1979-1980 · Iranian revolution leads to taking of 90 hostages at American embassy which lasts for 444 days. ·
· Medina County's sewer system dramatically expanded when a number of small package plants in the Brunswick City area were consolidated under county control.
Wadsworth Schools Federal Credit Union renamed the Medina County Schools Federal Credit Union as it begins serving all of the school systems in Medina County. www.mcfcu.com 1976 · Pro Arts, Inc. of Medina benefitting from the national "Farah Fawcett" poster craze, sold 4 million copies of Fawcett in the red bathing suit and 1.5 million more of two other preapproved photos of the Charlie's Angels actress. Although having some other relatively successful celebrity posters follow, in 1981, Pro Arts filed for bankruptcy. 1978 · Blizzard  closes roads, schools and stores throughout county for days. National Guard is called out and emergency shelters set up throughout county. Red Cross Chapter of Medina County sets up emergency shelter at Medina Junior High School (County Administration Building).
Following several unprofitable years, Continental Business Enterprises closes Chippewa Lake Park at end of season. One last public event "Octoberfest" was held in 1979 and the park was closed thereafter forever. 1979 · Elm Farm Dairy in Medina, one of the premier dairies in Medina County closes. First opening in 1934, by the 1950's the dairy supplied dairy products to five counties in Northeastern Ohio. It was one of the last family owned commercial dairies in Northern Ohio and in 2009 the original dairy plant houses the museum, ice cream parlor and gift shop. www.elmfarm.com Medina County Commissioners pass $1 per thousand valuation Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) on sales of property for funding of computerized tax mapping system.
· · President Jimmy Carter signs bill deregulating banking industry. Congress deregulates the trucking industry, allowing competition to play a greater role in establishing rates & relaxing regulations. · National average inflation rate (CPI) measured at 13.5%; highest level since 1920; average national unemployment rate at 7.1%. 1981 · MS-DOS and first IBM-PC invented. 1982 · In settlement of antitrust suit, AT&T agrees to relinquish provision of local phone service provided by 22 Bell System companies. · Ohio General Assembly amends sales tax law to allow counties to levy additional 0.5%, making maximum county rate of 1%. 1982-83 · National Recession: National unemployment average at 9.7% in 1982 and 9.6% in 1983; highest level since Great Depression. 1983 · General Election, all 3 Ohio constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition failed. i) Raise the minimum age to 21 years for the consumption of beer Yes--1,386,959 to No--1,965,469; ii) Require a 3/5 Majority of the General Assembly to raise taxes Yes--1,354,320 to No--1,967,129 ; and iii) Repeal all taxes passed since 1982 Yes--1,452,061 to No--1,883,270. 1984 · CD-ROM and Apple Macintosh invented. 1985 · Windows program invented by Microsoft. · Collapse of Home State Savings Bank of Ohio touches off a statewide banking panic in the savings and loan industry. General Assembly passed legislation for $129 million to bail out Home State, which was later recouped through a series of court actions against Home State. Governor Celeste ordered all banks insured by the Ohio Deposit Guarantee Fund to close, most re-opened but 4 were liquidated by Ohio including Home State.
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 113,150 persons; a 37% increase in population from 1970. The 1970s were the 2nd highest rate of growth in any decade of the 20th century. · Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce initiated Brunswick Old Fashioned Days community festival to coincide with the annual Northeast Ohio Antique and Classic Car Club show held yearly at Brunswick High School. In 1981 Old Fashioned Days organization was created as separate non-profit entity from Chamber. By 2005, Old Fashioned Days is the largest annual event held in the City of Brunswick (5 Days, over 20,000 guests, and a budget of over $100,000). 1982 · New home construction at lowest point since 1930s throughout county. · Medina County Arts Council formed to provide a link between the Ohio Arts Council and local arts organizations, schools and artists.
1984 · City of Brunswick launches a transit demonstration project, called Brunswick Transit Alternative, to provide convenient bus service to commercial areas while SR 303 undergoes major reconstruction and widening. Ridership exceeded expectations that encouraged city, NOACA and GCRTA to make service permanent in 1988. · Bill and Jane Eysson's Mapleside Farms expand retail operation to include Apple Farm Restaurant. In 2009, still an active family run business (3rd generation) the Restaurant and Retail Stores remain the most visited attraction and tourist destination in Medina County. www.mapleside.com/ 1985 · Medina County Economic Development Corporation formed. www.medinacounty.org · Medina County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is founded and by 2006 thousands of abused, abandoned, neglected and injured animals have been cared for and loving permanent homes have been found for these animals.
U.S. space shuttle Challenger explodes one minute after takeoff. Disaster sparks further debate on the virtues and drawbacks of U.S. space program. Judith Resnick, Akron native and first woman astronaut from Ohio and 2nd US woman in space died along with 6 other astronauts in disaster. · Ohio General Assembly amends sales tax law for 2nd time in decade to allow counties to levy additional 0.5%, making maximum county rate of 1.5%. Also expanded 0.5% authority given for special designated purposes, like sport arenas, transit, etc. 1987 · General election, Ohio constitutional amendment proposed by the general assembly requiring the entire net proceeds of the state lotteries be used solely for the support of elementary, secondary, vocational, and special education programs easily passes, 1,984,905 to 564,421. ·
1987 · Medina County District Library operating levy approved. · Property Tax levy funding Medina County Drug Abuse Commission passes in February. · Medina City purchases privately owned Freedom Field on SR 18 and renames it Medina Municipal Airport. The airport is designated a reliever airport for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport by the FAA for general aviation air traffic. In 2005, the airport is home to 86-based aircraft, many of which are used corporately. 1988 · The City of Brunswick's transit system (BTA) begins on July 1, 1988 with a fleet of 4 buses and operating 3 loop routes within city · 911 Emergency Telephone System installed countywide; system funded through fixed charge-per-line on telephone bill. · GOP Presidential Candidate, Vice-President George HW Bush made campaign stop before crowded Medina Square. 1989 · Brunswick Community Recreation Center levy passed. · Medina County Park District: voters approve 1/2 mill operating levy. Starting with 452 acres in 1978, holdings have increased to over 2,050 acres in 1998.
1989 · President George HW Bush sends 12,000 U.S. troops to invade Panama. · German Reunification and Fall of Berlin Wall
THE OFFICIAL MEDINA COUNTY FLAG Submitted by Calvin A. Ganyard, a lifelong resident of the county. In 1990 the Medina County Commissioners sponsored a flag design contest in cooperation with the Medina County Historical society, the Medina County Gazette, the Old Phoenix National Bank, and the Medina County School District. Four designs were chosen from 72 entries, and were published in the newspaper for voting by the public.
· Soviet Union starts to break up, signaling end of "Cold War" and reemergence of national debate over isolationism. · Dr. Carol Cartwright at Kent State University becomes 1st woman president of any Ohio state funded college or university · The World Wide Web/Internet protocol (HTTP) and WWW language (HTML) created by Tim Berners-Lee. · The $1.5 billion Hubble Telescope delivers extraordinary views of outer space. 1990-91 · Gulf War. U.S. led-coalition confront Iraqi aggression in Kuwait; "Desert Storm." 1991 · In their ruling in DeRolph v. State of Ohio, the Ohio Supreme Court declares Ohio's school funding program and heavy reliance upon local property taxes unconstitutional. 1992 In three-way national race, Democrat William Jefferson Clinton elected President with 43% of popular vote against incumbent Republican President George HW Bush and third-party candidate Ross Perot. General Election, Ohio voters give huge blessings to three "term limits" issues through constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition: To limit successive terms of office for United States Senator from Ohio to two terms and United States Representative from Ohio to four terms, Yes--2,897,123 (Passed) No--1,476,461; To limit successive terms of office for State Senator to two terms and State Representative to four terms, Yes--2,982,285 (Passed) No--1,378,009; and To limit the successive terms of office for Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, Attorney General, or Auditor of State to two terms. Yes--3,028,288 (Passed) No--1,349,244. Subsequent Federal Court rulings nullify Federal Term Limits. 1994 · July 1, Perry County Commons Pleas Court Judge rules in DeRolph vs. Ohio that Ohio's system of funding primary and secondary education is declared unconstitutional. · Led by a conservative "Contract with America" agenda, Republicans seize control over both houses of Congress for the first time in over 40 years. Ushered in a new era of divided government, where partisanship pre-empted traditional compromise in several areas of national politics. · Gateway Sports Complex in Cleveland opens.
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 122,354 persons; an 8% increase in population from 1980. The 1980s had the slowest rate of growth since 1910. · Project MUNCH, (Medina United Neighbors Combating Hunger) started by the First Christian Church of Medina and eventually adopted by the Medina Salvation Army, serves free hot meals to the needy daily during the last full week of the month. Anyone may come and eat. 1991 · Super K-Mart Opens in Medina. Accelerates Commercial Building Boom on north side of Medina. · Medina County Solid Waste Management Plan approved- first plan approved by Ohio EPA in state. · In June, county sales tax increased by Board of County Commissioners to pay for new jail; citizens petition halted scheduled increase and forced issue on ballot; sales tax issue defeated by voters in November. 1992 · November, second attempt at sales tax proposal to fund county justice center (jail, juvenile detention facility, prosecutors office building, etc) fails. 1993 · After 3 years of planning and directed by state law to develop a plan to recycle and divert waste from landfills, Medina County Commissioners complete construction of Central Processing Facility in Westfield Township The mixed municipal solid waste, totaling around 140,000 tons yearly, is then sorted in order to remove recyclable and organic material. In addition, yard waste is brought to the facility separately and is processed into a compost material for sale to the public. · Born out of a coalition of social service agencies, Medina County Transit begins in March under the Board of Commissioners to provide services to clients of 14 human service agencies. · Wadsworth City begins to build own public owned Fiber Optic system in competition with incumbent provider Time/Warner.
Appeals Court overturns DeRolph v Ohio in a split decision. Statewide coalition of school districts appeal to Ohio Supreme Court. 1996 · Ohio becomes leading state for polymers, surpassing California for the first in the dollar value of plastic products shipped. In 1996, Ohio manufacturers produced nearly 10% of the total US plastics production. · Telecommunications Bill increased competition in government-sustained local telephone monopolies and permitted the formation of previously forbidden media conglomerates, which combine entertainment, information processing, and telephone and television service. 1997 · Ohio Supreme Court rules in DeRolph case that state funding of education unconstitutional. State defendants ask for reconsideration and clarification. · DeRolph v. Ohio decision, the Ohio Supreme Court identified four constitutional defects in Ohio's school funding system: 1) A failure of the school foundation formulas to fund an "adequate" education; 2) Overreliance on the local property tax; 3) Insufficient resources for funding school facilities; and 4) Compulsory borrowing required of school districts in fiscal difficulty. Ruling initiates series of proposals from State defendants and motions for extensions. · Cleveland Indians win American League championship. 1998 · May Primary, Statewide Issue 2 Sales Tax to fund public education broadly defeated: YES 383,913 and NO 1,527,536; Only 17% of voters approved of tax in Medina County. · President William Jefferson Clinton investigated and impeached. · Former Ohio Senator John Glenn at age 77, becomes the oldest American to travel into space. 1999 ·
1996 · Medina County Commissioners create the Medina County Transportation Improvement District (TID), the second TID in the State of Ohio.
1997 · Landslide defeat of sales tax proposal to fund TID projects with only 30% countywide in favor. Passed in only 3 out of 150 precincts. · City of Wadsworth starts publicly owned cable company to compete with private sector.
Nancy Hollister after serving 4 years as Ohio's first female lieutenant governor succeeded outgoing Gov. George Voinovich for eleven days as Ohio's first female governor as he assumed the US Senate seat on January 1. February 12, President Clinton acquitted of charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, concluding only the second impeachment trial in the history of the United States.
1998 · City of Brunswick buys 107-acre parcel known as Brunswick Lake properties for future "Town Center" to achieve three principal objectives: i) To create a high-quality, mixed use development with emphasis on potential economic and tax base benefits; ii) To create a community focal point and gathering place with the lake as a centerpiece; and iii) To provide public access to the natural amenities through a coordinated street and trail system. First anchor store in commercial phase, Home Depot opens doors in January 2004. · I-71 widening debate with members of Cleveland-based metropolitan planning organization called NOACA ends with "2-lane only with wide berm" compromise for portion from SR 303 to I-271 · Sales tax proposal to fund county park district and purchase Chippewa Lake defeated in May primary with 46% of vote in favor. · Groundbreaking ceremony held for 274-acre Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Guilford Township. 1999 · Medina County Farmland Preservation Task Force finishes report and makes 10 recommendations, one of which to place sales tax issue on ballot to fund conservation easement purchase program. March 2000, primary election with sales tax issue to fund easement purchase program defeated with 45% in favor.
· November: Presidential contest between Al Gore (D) and George W. Bush (R) leads to most contentious national election since 1876. Bush wins Ohio with 2,350,363 votes (50%), compared to Gore's 2,183,628 votes (46%). Voting disputes in Florida leads to legal contest and eventual final decision favorable to Bush by US Supreme Court. General election, State Constitutional amendment to permit issuance of bonds for environmental conservation and revitalization projects, creating the so called "Green Ohio Fund", received widespread support with 2,196,068 yes to 1,628,022 voting No.
· Census Bureau: Medina County population totaled 151,095 persons; 23.5% increase in population from 1990. Out of the ten decades of the 20th century, 1990s would only rank 4th fastest in percent rate of population growth. In rank order: 1950s, 1970s, 1960s were all greater in total percentage growth. · 43 cases of E.coli bacteria outbreak reported in August from visitors to Medina County Fair. Additional cases from visitors to Carnival of Horrors at Fairgrounds in October causes Health Department to close down fairgrounds. · Lodi Community Hospital becomes a member of the Akron General Health System. Governed by a voluntary board of community leaders, the hospital is a fully accredited 25-bed Critical Access Hospital (CAH) with 24-hour emergency department. www.lodihospital.org 2001 · Four people died and at least 47 people were injured at the Medina County Fair on July 29 when a 1918 Case steam-powered antique tractor exploded. Nearly 500-page report from Sheriff's Office listed causes of explosion operator error and structural failure. · County Commissioners vote in November to close County Home. In the face of public protests, Commissioners decide to suspend closure until outcome of levy placed on ballot in May 2002 to fund operations of home. · Wadsworth signs an agreement with Barberton to lease 15 acres of land in Rogues Hollow, Wayne County on which wells will be developed to assure an adequate water supply for future. To transport water from Rogues Hollow to the city's treatment plant, a more than 6-mile transmission 20-inch diameter pipeline will have to be constructed. Project generates series of controversial eminent domain proceedings in Wayne County Common Pleas Court. 2002 · After a contentious primary election, the 0.2 mill property tax levy to support the Medina County Home enjoyed countywide support with 64% of the vote in favor and a successful majority in 138 out of 145 precincts. · June 28, Medina City completes $14.8 million project, replacing the 4 million gallon per day Lake Medina plant in favor of 10.3 million gallon per day Lake Erie water via Avon Lake. · Brunswick City's first City Manager, Skip Trimble retires after 27 years following months of criticism from a citizens group and some city officials. · Citizen group successfully places on fall ballot an amendment to Brunswick City Charter effectively eliminating the Council-City Manager form of government in favor of a Strong Mayor-Council form. After a vigorous campaign, the charter amendment was defeated with 58% opposed.
2001 · September 11 Terrorist attacks on Pentagon and World Trade Centers stunned nation. Total dead and missing numbered about 3,263. Worst terrorist attack in US History. The names of the 19 hijackers, four of whom have been connected with terrorist Osama bin Laden, were released in mid-September. As result Operation Enduring Freedom initiated by Pres. George W Bush against terrorists in Afghanistan. Nation struggles with terrorism abroad and at home.
2002 · New York Times labels 2002 as "Year between two wars". The military focus on Afghanistan swayed to Iraq, Saddam Hussein and "Weapons of Mass Destruction." · Household wealth dips to it lowest level since 1995 as the plunging stocks and mutual funds dampens middle class enthusiasm for economic recovery. Markets slid for 3rd year in a row  1st time since 1941. Corporate scandals detailing "phony accounting" schemes from corporate giants like Enron add further to middle class skepticism. · So-called "Reality TV" comes of age to become American cultural phenomenon.
· · Space Shuttle Columbia burns up on re-entry, killing all 7 astronauts; investigation directs attention to damage inflicted by ice during launch, War against Iraq begins March 19 with US air strikes, followed by US-Britain led multi-national ground forces. May 1, President G.W. Bush speaking on USS Abraham Lincoln declares, "major combat operations in Iraq have ended." Casualties continue as US-British led effort begins reconstruction efforts amid terrorist attacks. The year ends with brief celebration over capture of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein by US troops on December 13. On one-year anniversary of war start, US troop death toll 568. May, President George W. Bush signs ten-year, $350-billion tax-cut package, the third-largest tax cut in U.S. history. October, California governor Gray Davis ousted in recall vote; actor Arnold Schwarzenegger elected in his place. November General Election  Even though heavily promoted by Governor Taft and leadership of General Assembly, Statewide Issue 1, so called "Third Frontier" Bond Issue narrowly defeated with 49.1% voting in favor. Largely supported in the northeast Ohio counties - 51.4% of Medina County voters approved issue  it suffered significant defeat in most rural counties of Ohio.
· · May primary, 51% of voters in the Medina County District Library pass a 1.0 mill bond issue to fund $42.3 million in construction costs for three new buildings and expansions in Brunswick and Medina libraries. At the federally mandated metropolitan planning organization, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), over the objections of two Cuyahoga County Commissioners and City of Cleveland, Medina County received a positive vote to stripe the already constructed third-lane on I-71. The year ends with final agreement by NOACA to permit a full third-lane on all future I-71 improvements south of State Route 18. Medina County Port Authority created October 20, 2003 with 9 member board to promote projects that enhance, foster, aid or promote transportation, economic development, housing, recreation, education, governmental operation, culture or research. Managing the development of the University Tech Park becomes a top priority. Medina County Highway Engineer's Office produced it's first county road map developed & designed in-house based on the Medina County GIS. All political subdivision maps and tax maps were available for download and review via internet website. www.highwayengineer.co.medina.oh.us/tax-maps/map.html Medina County receives $1.25 million in grants for roadway and sewer construction associated with University Center and Technology Park project. The Medina County Commissioners, Economic Development Corporation, University Center Taskforce and the Transportation Improvement District partnered with the University of Akron in the development of 120 acres in Lafayette Township for the creation of a Technology Park in combination with a University Center. Approximately 50 acres was donated by the County Commissioners to the University of Akron for the construction of the University Center. November general election after several failed attempts Medina City voters approve increase to municipal income tax from 0.50 percent to 1.25 percent and provide a 0.25 percent credit to residents who pay income taxes to another city, thereby restoring a credit voters repealed in 1994.
· George Bush wins second term as president after defeating opponent Senator John F. Kerry, with a crucial vote in the critical swing state of Ohio. Ohio's 20 electoral votes pushed Bush to a total of 274 electoral votes, only 4 more than needed to be elected president. Ohio had a near record voter turnout of nearly 72% of registered voters. Bush supporters garnered 118,601 more votes statewide for their candidate than the Democrats could for Kerry. · Ohioan voters favor by 62% a State Constitution amendment to prohibit legal recognition of gay marriages, civil unions and new domestic partner benefits for government employers. 2005 · State legislature enacts historic tax reform budget bill that phases out two major business taxes  corporation franchise and tangible personal property  and phases in of the new commercial activities tax (CAT) on businesses. · Summer, two major national union organizations (SEIU and Teamsters) secede from AFL-CIO organization at National Convention in Chicago. · In August, Hurricane Katrina causes catastrophic damage along the coastlines of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. It was the 6th strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the 3rd strongest landfalling U.S. hurricane ever recorded. The storm killed at least 1,836 people, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since 1928. Criticism of the federal, state and local governments' reaction to the storm was widespread and resulted in an investigation by the United States Congress & resignation of FEMA head. · State of Ohio Constitutional Issues 2005 o Issue 1. Amendment purpose to create jobs & stimulate economic growth in Ohio through 3 bond programs - Local Government Capital Improvements Bond (formerly Issue 2), Third Frontier Research & Development, and JobReady Sites. Statewide in favor: 54.12%; Medina County in favor: 53%. o Issue 2. Expand to all electors the choice to vote by absentee ballot in all elections. Statewide in Favor: 36.66%; Medina County in favor: 40%. o Issue 3. Establish revised limits on political contributions, establish prohibitions regarding political contributions and provide for revised public disclosure requirements of campaign contributions and expenditures. Statewide in Favor: 33.14%; Medina County in Favor: 33%. o Issue 4. Provide for the creation of a state redistricting commission with responsibility for creating legislative districts. Statewide in Favor: 30.30%; Medina County in Favor: 32% o Issue 5 Create a newly appointed board to administer elections and eliminate responsibility of the elected Ohio Secretary of State to oversee elections. Statewide in Favor: 29.92%; Medina County in Favor: 29%
· September, the City of Medina and neighboring York Township partnered to establish the county's first Cooperative Economic Development Area (CEDA). After working together for almost two years, the township trustees and several property owners agreed to a friendly annexation that moved 273 plus acres into the city and was rezoned to I-1 Industrial. The idea of a CEDA was an outgrowth of the township's comprehensive plan and the agreement was approved for a duration of fifty years. At the end of the first fifty years, it may be renewed for another fifty years. In this CEDA, the township will continue to collect the property taxes and the city will benefit from new income tax that results from future development. General election in Medina saw a near record voter turnout of 86,016 out of 118,268 registered voters, or 72.73%. Bush received 48,196 votes, compared to closest rival John Kerry total of 36,272. The Medina County Board of Commissioners took action to compete in the global economy in November 2004 by joining the Northeast Ohio Trade and Economic Consortium (NEOTEC) a ten county regional organization whose mission is to promote domestic trade, international trade and global competitiveness of the region and its businesses. As a result of that membership, Medina County has four locations with Foreign Trade Zone designations pending approval by August 2006.
2005 · February 11, "2-1-1 First Call for Help" initiated from a collaboration of public sector and non-profit sector agencies. System provides 24 hours/ 7 days a week countywide free and confidential information and referral to health and human services in Medina County. · Brunswick City Council approved a 45-year contract with the City of Cleveland Water Department to take over city water lines. Terms included: pay off $1.5 million in waterline improvement debt; $1.75 million from the Keller Water Tower; maintenance and replacement responsibilities of all water lines over to the City of Cleveland; and elimination of all fire hydrant maintenance and repair costs to Brunswick City. · On Monday, October 24 the culmination of nearly five years of work was realized when 200 people gathered to witness and commemorate the groundbreaking for the Medina County University Center (MCUC) and the adjacent Business Technology Park. Represented a unique kind of public/private partnership to enhance economic development opportunities and educational attainment capacity for the citizens of Medina County.
· In October, the US population reaches the milestone of three hundred million, only forty-two years to gain one hundred million people since the US reached two hundredth million in 1964. At the same time, a lively debate on immigration policy, particularly illegal immigration, arises across the nation. In November elections, Democrats take over House and Senate, changing the dynamics between Congress and the Bush administration. Ohio voters overwhelmingly endorsed (60%) State Issue 5, banning smoking inside of all public places in Ohio, including all restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, and work places. Mirroring the state election, 40,231 (60%) Medina County voters said Yes, versus 26,520 (40%) voting No. In addition to defeating Republican incumbent US Senator, Democrats sweep top elected state positions  Governor, Lt Gov., Sec of State, Attorney General, Treasurer  and taking control of Ohio House of Representatives.
· United Way of Medina County takes over the fundraising for the Wadsworth area, uniting the entire county for the first time under one United Way Board and the funding of several Wadsworth area charities. .http://www.unitedwaymedina.org After several public hearings in July, Westfield Village Council and Board of Public Affairs votes in favor of selling water system to Medina County, furthering development of a multi-jurisdictional water district and management of local well fields and aquifer. In November elections, Medina County Park District passes 0.5 mill replacement levy with 0.25 mill increase by 53.9%; Medina County Home passes 0.2 mill replacement levy with 60.3% of vote.
2007 · On January 4, 2007, California Democrat Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the House as Democrats took control of both houses of Congress for the first time since 1994. Democrats embarked on an ambitious agenda, vowing to use the first 100 hours of 110th Congress to pass lobbying reform, increase the national minimum wage, implement the recommendations of the September 11 Commission, and cut the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. · Although the deadliest year in Iraq for U.S. soldiers, by the end of the year the number of car bombs, roadside bombs, mines, rocket attacks, and other violence had fallen to the lowest level in nearly two years. Gains were attributed to the "surge strategy" of 30,000 troops deployed to Baghdad in February, the cooperation of Sunni rebels and the ceasefire declared by alSadr in August. · The American Public Transportation Association names Cleveland's mass transit system GRCTA the best in North America. · Cleveland Chef Michael Symon is named "Iron Chef" by the Food Network.
2007 · In January, Medina County Park District enters into agreement to purchase the 360-acre site of Chippewa Lake. The acquisition does not include the former amusement park, which remained for sale. Purchase was eventually financed through the use of local levy funds and Green Ohio Conservation Fund grant of $648,000. · May election, 56.5% of Medina County voters approved a 0.5 percent sales tax earmarked specifically for public school permanent improvements -- the first of its kind in the state's history. These revenues can be used ONLY for the purpose of school district permanent improvements within Medina County  not salaries or operating expenses. Supporters see as a possible model for other districts across the state and nation. Collection of the new sales tax started in October 1, while distribution of quarterly payments to all school districts on a per student basis was initiated in 2008. Common purchases not subject to the new ½% sales and use tax: food consumed off-premises where sold such as groceries, prescription drugs and durable medical equipment, motor vehicle fuel (gasoline & diesel), items purchased with food stamps, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, public utilities like gas, water, sanitary sewer, and electricity delivered through pipes, conduits, or wires. At the time of the new 6.5% rate, 52 counties were still higher, 7 lower, and 28 counties equal to Medina County.
· · · In January, Stock Markets plunge around the world, largely responding to fears that the U.S. is headed for an imminent recession. February, Fidel Castro Resigns as President of Cuba April, Danica Patrick wins the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar race.
· Opening in January 2008, the Medina County University Center of the University of Akron became the first physical facility in the County devoted solely to higher education. The 33,000 Sq. Ft., three-story structure enables local residents and businesses to take advantage of standard college courses and programs as well as professional development workshops and workforce training opportunities close to home. http://www.uakron.edu/mcuc/index.dot Chippewa Lake redevelopment. A group of developers purchased the former Chippewa Lake amusement park in Lafayette and Westfield Townships and plan to redevelop it as a master plan resort community. The Lafayette Township Zoning Commission approved a zoning overlay district for the site. As of February, 2009 it is a mixed use Planned Unit Development with 35 residential dwelling units, a hotel, with banquet and conference facilities, two restaurants, a Health and Wellness Center, a Culinary Institute and ancillary structures. A total of 220 buildings and accessory parking are propose Summit County Chapter of American Red Cross releases Wadsworth Red Cross agency to become merged with Medina County Chapter of Red Cross. In July, Medina County Commissioners adopt new Flood Damage Prevention Regulations providing for "higher standard" and compensatory storage in township FEMA flood plain areas. With 53% of the votes, Wadsworth City School District passed a 5.9 mill bond issue on November 4 to build a new high school and three new elementary building, as part of a Community Partnership deal with Wadsworth City, Summa Health Care and Wadsworth Library to combine the new High School with a Community Health and Wellness Center Campus. Project financing for the school project ($116.65 million) are from three separate sources: 5.9 mill bond levy generating $65,650,000; $15 million generated by issuing debt against the future collections of the Medina County Schools Sales Tax passed in 2007, and $36 million from the Ohio Schools Facility Commission. (SEE PAGE 41) December, Medina County Commissioners approve agreement with Medina City to build a 351 car parking deck behind the Medina County Courthouse and Prosecutors Building, costing $4.7 million, contributing to the city to defray costs are Medina County with $900,000 and Medina County District Library $400,000.
In October, Congress passes legislation for a $700 billion bailout, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, giving the Treasury Department authority to assist distressed Wall Street and US banking businesses. Many blame the housing, banking, and subprime mortgage crises on excessive greed and speculation among Wall Street firms, coupled with oil prices above $140 per barrel during the summer, and deepening world economic crises. Ohio's Issue 5 Referendum on legislation making changes to check cashing lending sometimes known as "payday lending" fees, interest rates and practices resulted in Yes 3,391,282 versus No 1,940,951(Medina County voted 57,368 Yes to 27,695 No); Issue Number 6 Proposed Constitutional Amendment Proposed by initiative petition for a casino near Wilmington in Southwest Ohio and distribute to all Ohio counties a tax on the casino resulted in Yes 2,088,294 versus No 3,461,430 (Medina County voted 30,098 Yes to 58,189 No). In November elections, Democratic senator Barack Obama wins the presidential election against Sen. John McCain, taking 338 electoral votes to McCain's 161. Obama is the first African American elected President. His victory is assured after winning crucial swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania.
STATE AND NATIONAL EVENTS MUNICIPALITIES IN MEDINA COUNTY
City/ Village Year Incorporated 1960 1835 1866 1891 1853 1914 1997 1919 1931 1911 1899 2000 Population 33,388 25,139 18,437 3,061 2,160 1,054 823 747 538 106 35 2007 Population Estimate 34,880 26,206 20,417 3,358 2,424 1,158 869 813 575 130 38 $400,000.
June 2009 Registered Voters 23,955 18,758 15,482 1,963 1,626 944 537 525 325 60 Form of Government Elected Offices
Brunswick City Medina City Wadsworth City Lodi Village Seville Village Westfield Center Village Chippewa Village* (merged) Spencer Village Gloria Glens Park Village Rittman City (Medina County part) Creston Village (Medina County part)
Charter City Nonpartisan (Council-Manager) Charter City Nonpartisan (Mayor-Council) Statutory City Partisan (Mayor-Council) Statutory Village Nonpartisan Statutory Village Nonpartisan Statutory Village Nonpartisan Statutory Village Nonpartisan Statutory Village Nonpartisan Statutory Village Nonpartisan Charter City Nonpartisan (Council-Manager) Statutory Village Nonpartisan
Wadsworth City Schools teaming up with community partners in 2008 took an innovative approach to a new High School, passed a 5.9 mill bond levy to combine with matching funds from the State of Ohio and the unique Medina County Sales Tax for Schools. The estimated 450,000 square foot building will also incorporate a health center, recreation center, WCTV, center for older adults and a community library. Page 41
2009 MEDINA COUNTY TIMELINE ©2009 by Stephen D. Hambley, Ph.D
KEY TO HISTORY CROSSWORD PUZZLE
HISTORY OF COURTHOUSE ADDITIONS Reprint from 1991 Medina County Courthouse Rededication
HISTORIC STATEWIDE OFFICE HOLDERS FROM MEDINA COUNTY Community Party Terms Other Elected Office Medina Village Whig 1856 Medina County Prosecuting Attorney (1849-53) Litchfield Twp Republican 1863-1864 Medina County Recorder (1836-1843) Attorney General of Ohio (1880-83); Franklin Governor George K. Nash York Twp Republican Jan. 8, 1900 to Jan. 11, 1904 County Prosecuting Attorney (1871-1874) Medina City Mayor (1950-1953); Ohio House John W. Brown Medina City Republican 1953-1957; 1963-1975 (1959-61); Ohio Senate (1961-63) Lt Gov *Appointed following resignation of State Auditor Robert W Taylor State Office Name Attorney General Francis D. Kimball Oviatt Cole* Auditor
Steve Hambley, Ph.D.
Medina County Commissioner
E-mail: [email protected] Steve Hambley, elected Medina County Commissioner in 1996 and reelected in 2000, 2004 and 2008 served as a Brunswick City Councilman for five years chairing the city's Planning and Zoning Committee and Economic Development Committee in the early 1990's. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Akron in 1993, and was awarded a Martin Scholarship in History for two years. He is currently an adjunct professor at Lorain County Community College, where he has taught courses in American National Government, Contemporary World Problems, Introduction to Politics, Introduction to Urban Studies, and U.S. History. Prior to becoming county commissioner, Dr. Hambley worked at the Public Services Institute at Lorain County Community College for a year and one-half and at the Center for Urban Studies at the University of Akron for five years. OTHER SELECTED COMMUNITY SERVICE Leadership Medina County, Board of Trustees (1991-1999) Medina County Solid Waste Policy Committee (1992 to present); Chairman since 1995. United Way of Medina County, Board of Trustees (2001 to 2007), Chairman 2005 2-1-1 First Call for Help Task Force, Chairman (2004 to present) Medina County Red Cross, Trustee (2008-09) Medina County Housing Network, President (2004-2005) Rocky River Watershed Council, Chairman (2004 to 2007)
Northeast Ohio Voices & Choices, Medina County Leadership Development Co-chair Keep Our Schools Excellent Committee, campaign co-chair and treasurer. First county in Ohio to devote county sales tax for permanent improvements for schools. (2007) AWARDS Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Fifth Annual Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Award for Outstanding Regional Contribution, 2008. "Medina County Movers & Shakers: Number 3," Medina County Gazette, 2008. Northeast Ohio Regional Vision Award, Northeast Ohio Regional Leadership Task Force, 2007. Brunswick City Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, 2006. Michael Berken Peace & Justice Award, Diocese of Cleveland, Catholic Commission of Wayne, Ashland & Medina, 2005. Outstanding Leadership Award, Ohio Educational Service Center Association, 2002. Service in Local Government Award from the Ohio Provider Resource Association, 2000. "Men Who Make a Difference," Medina County Gazette, 1998
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Resident of Medina County, 54 years Attended religious grade school (Grades 1-8), St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Brunswick Brunswick High School, Class of 1972 Kent State University, Bachelor of General Studies, 1979 University of Akron, Master of Arts, 1985 Special fields of graduate study: Urban Studies, History of Transportation, Political Science, Statistical Research Methods University of Akron, Ph.D. History, 1993; Martin Scholar Leadership Medina County, Class of 1995
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