History of Olmsted Falls (2024)

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Historic Olmsted Falls

The current City of Olmsted Falls is the result of the 1971 merger of two villages that developed in the 19th century – Olmsted Falls and West View. Both originally were part of what once was known as Township 6, Range 15, of Connecticut’s Western Reserve.

Several people bought the land in Township 6, Range 15. A sea captain, Aaron Olmsted, bought the largest portion, but the township didn’t take his name right away. Unofficially, it was called Plum Creek Township and then Kingston Township. But when it was organized under Ohio law as a civil township in 1823, it was designated Lenox Township for some unexplained reason.

James Geer built a cabin and moved his family into the southwestern corner of the township, the area that became West View (sometimes written as Westview). Other settlers then moved in.

About two miles north of that near where Plum Creek flows into Rocky River, another community developed. Although it was known briefly as Norris Falls, it became Olmsted Falls by the time it was incorporated as a village in 1856. One year later in 1857, the village doubled in size by annexing an unincorporated hamlet to the north called Plum Creek.

Although many early settlers were farmers, a few took advantage of waterpower from Plum Creek and Rocky River by building sawmills and gristmills, while others became merchants. In the mid-19th century, railroads arrived. The first cut northeast-southwest through West View in 1849. The second cut east-west through Olmsted Falls in 1853.

Sandstone quarries in both Olmsted Falls and West View operated from the 1870s until the early 20th century. Sandstone blocks and grindstones left over from those years can still be seen around the city, especially in David Fortier River Park. During much of the 20th century, many greenhouses operated around Olmsted Falls, West View, and neighboring communities in what was called the “largest territory of glass” in the country. They grew mainly tomatoes and flowers. Thanks to the railroads, at first, and then roads for automobiles, many residents also commuted to jobs in Cleveland and other nearby communities.

In 1927, West View was incorporated as a village and remained that way for more than four decades. However, on May 5, 1970, the voters of Olmsted Falls, which had about 2,400 residents within 1.52 square miles, and those of West View, which had about 2,500 residents within 1.95 square miles, agreed to merge the two villages under the Olmsted Falls name. The new combined village came into existence at the beginning of 1971. By 1972, it had about 5,600 residents, which made it big enough to become designated as Ohio’s 231st city.

Beginning in the 1990s, real estate broker Clint Williams renovated many historic buildings in downtown Olmsted Falls to create Grand Pacific Junction. With a variety of shops and great restaurants, downtown Grand Pacific Junction became a popular destination for residents and visitors, as well as a center for many community activities.

Olmsted Falls operated a separate school, the Union Schoolhouse, on the Village Green until the township and village merged their school systems in 1915. In 1916, the district opened a new consolidated school at the corner of what is now Bagley Road and Mapleway Drive. That school expanded a few times in the next few decades. But the district gradually outgrew it after World War II. Beginning in the 1950s, the district began building other schools for the increasing student population.

The school system sold the 1916 building in 1997. In 2001, the city moved its offices and the police department into the building, making it Olmsted Falls City Hall.

Lastly, Olmsted Falls is considered one of the most quaint communities in greater Cleveland. We are a historic city with a proud legacy. Olmsted Falls is known for our picturesque falls, beautiful parks, safe streets, and downtown Grand Pacific Junction. The Junction is full of enchanting shops, unique restaurants, and lovely architecture. Olmsted Falls is one of the most charming towns in Northeast Ohio.

More on Olmsted’s history can be found in The Olmsted Story: A Brief History of Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, published in 2010 by The History Press, as well as in Olmsted 200, a monthly newsletter about Olmsted history. All issues are available on the city’s website.

The full story is told in Images of America book "Olmsted Falls" by John D. Cimperman. The book can be found at Keith Jewelers, 8089 Columbia Road, Olmsted Falls; online at Amazon Books; and also at arcadia publishing.com. It is also available at the Olmsted Falls Branch of the Cuyahoga Library.

History of Olmsted Falls (2024)

FAQs

History of Olmsted Falls? ›

Olmsted Falls is known for our picturesque falls, beautiful parks, safe streets, and downtown Grand Pacific Junction. The Junction is full of enchanting shops, unique restaurants, and lovely architecture. Olmsted Falls is one of the most charming towns in Northeast Ohio.

What is Olmsted Falls known for? ›

Olmsted Falls is known for our picturesque falls, beautiful parks, safe streets, and downtown Grand Pacific Junction. The Junction is full of enchanting shops, unique restaurants, and lovely architecture. Olmsted Falls is one of the most charming towns in Northeast Ohio.

How did Olmsted Falls, Ohio get its name? ›

1827: Wasterous Usher built a sawmill on Plum Creek on what is now Usher Road. 1828: Orson Spencer suggests renaming the township "Olmsted" to prevent confusion with a Lenox Township in eastern Ohio. 1829: The name Olmsted Township is officially adopted.

What's the difference between Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township? ›

Since the mid-1800s, two villages that have become cities, Olmsted Falls and North Olmsted, have been incorporated from parts of Olmsted Township, while smaller portions have been annexed to Berea and Brook Park. But Olmsted Township is rare in Cuyahoga County as the larger of only two remaining townships.

What river runs through Olmsted Falls? ›

Olmsted Falls, Ohio

Plum Creek meets with the Rocky River in this park. Directions: From I-71 in Ohio, take exit 235 to Bagley Road. Head on Bagley Road for a short ways to the town of Olmsted Falls.

What is Olmsted famous for? ›

Regarded as the founder of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903) is best known for designing the grounds of New York City's Central Park, the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Is Olmsted Falls a good place to live? ›

It is a lovely suburban town with a strong community presence, historic charm, and good K-12 school systems. While there is minimal public transportation---which makes it very car-dependant like other suburban areas---and there is little night life, Olmsted Falls, OH is a overall nice suburb to live in.

In what cities did Olmsted build parks? ›

Park Maker

In the course of his career, Olmsted designed 100 public parks and recreation grounds, ranging from Central Park in New York City and Prospect Park in Brooklyn to the Emerald Necklace in Boston, Jackson Park in Chicago, and the park systems of Louisville, Rochester and Buffalo.

What type of region is Olmsted Falls? ›

OLMSTED FALLS is a suburb situated 14 miles southwest of Cleveland. Its footprint comprises an oddly shaped 3 sq. mi., bounded on the east by BEREA, on the north by NORTH OLMSTED, on the west by OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, and by Sprague Rd. on the southern border with Lorain county and Strongsville.

Who is Olmsted Point named after? ›

The point was named for Frederick Law Olmsted (1822–1903), who was appointed chairman of the first Board of Commissioners to manage the newly established Yosemite Grant in 1864. Olmsted also helped design Central Park in New York City and did some landscaping for the University of California and Stanford University.

Does Olmsted Falls have Rita? ›

The current income tax rate for the City of Olmsted Falls is 1.5% imposed on earned income, consisting of wages, salaries, commissions and other compensation as well as net profit of business attributable to activities in the municipality. A tax credit of up to .

Does Olmsted Falls have a waterfall? ›

In the city of Olmsted Falls, Ohio, you can find Olmsted Falls, a beautiful waterfall found on Plum Creek.

What court does Olmsted Falls use? ›

Mayor's Court convenes on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 1:30 p.m., except holidays. Traffic offenses and misdemeanor criminal cases are heard in the Mayor's Court. If you wish to contest a charge, the case will be referred to the Berea Municipal Court.

When was Olmsted Falls founded? ›

On April 7, 1856, Olmsted Falls was incorporated as a village from a portion of Olmsted Township. In 1857, the village doubled in size when it annexed Plum Creek, the unincorporated hamlet to the north.

Is Olmsted Township a good place to live? ›

Olmsted Township is a suburb of Cleveland with a population of 14,479. Olmsted Township is in Cuyahoga County and is one of the best places to live in Ohio. Living in Olmsted Township offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes.

How deep is the Rocky River in Ohio? ›

The main branch of the Rocky River is often characterized by its deep valley and steep shale cliffs, which in some places reach depths of 150 feet below the street level.

What is Falls park known for? ›

The Park is home to the spectacular Sioux Falls, which can be seen from several points, including an observation tower. Also there is a visitor information center and a cafe. Admission to the park and the observation tower is free.

What is NORTH OLMSTED Ohio known for? ›

The City of North Olmsted has three listings on the National Register of Historic Places including Old Town Hall, the First Universalist Church and Fort Hill. The first mayor, George S. Willet, was elected December 8, 1908.

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