History

General Lake County History

Historical Sketch

A general history of Lake County was written for the beginning of Inventory of the County Archives of Ohio No. 43. Lake County (Painesville). This was transcribed by Cynthia Turk.

"Ohio Lands -- A Short History"

This comes from the book Ohio Lands by homas Aquinas Burke, 1996. It includes early Ohio history, the history of the Connecticut Western Reserve and our township system. Thanks to Maggie Zimmerman for the transcription. (off-site)

A Short History of the Townships of Lake and Geauga Counties

A great explanation of the formation ofthe townships and the changes in jurisdictions by Herbert M. Turk

People Index to parts of the 1898 Lake County Atlas

This collection was part of the 1907 Courthouse time capsule. the people in the introductory materials are indexed here by Marianne Wiley.

Historical Collections of Ohio
by Henry Howe

This 1888 two-volume history of Ohio and collections of each county has been transcribed by Joan Asche and volunteers. Includes pictures, histories of the towns and biographical information on James H. Beard, William H. Beard, James A Garfield, Thomas W. Harvey, George Trumbull Ladd, and John Flavial Morse among others. Skip to the Lake County section. (off-site)

Pioneer History

A historical reminscence by Spencer Phelps of the period around 1800 in Lake County, Ohio. From the Painesville Telegraph, this was transcribed by Casi Dosky.

Girdled Road

A letter from C.C. Bronson to WESTERN RESERVE —AND— Northern Ohio Historical Society. This was transcribed by Cynthia Turk.

"Local Lore," a blog of short historical sketches

This is an ongoing project by Max, a retired teacher and volunteer. Although unsourced and "anonymous," it is titled Local Lore," and is an interesting read. (off-site)

History of the Western Reserve
by Harriet Taylor Upton, 1902

This three volume set is a well-respected general history of the Western Reserve. A few chapters are presented here. This was transcribed by Becky Falin.
Chapter 2 Connecticut Stretches Westward
Chapter 3 Pioneers of New Connecticut
Chapter 4 Surveys of the Western Reserve
Chapter 5 Reserve Settled and Mapped
Illustration- Map of the Western Reserve

Memorial to the Pioneer Women of the Western Reserve
under the auspices of the Women's Department of the Cleveland Centennial Commission, ed. by Gertrude Van Rensselaer Wickham 1896

Two volume set of histories of the women of the Western Reserve, mostly from 1800 to 1850. This was transcribed by Becky Falin.
Pioneer Women of LeRoy
Pioneer Women of Madison
Pioneer Women of Mentor
Pioneer Women of Painesville
Pioneer Women of Perry
Pioneer Women of Willoughby

1796 Western Reserve Centennial Souvenir 1896
By H. U. Johnson, 1896

This collection of Mr. Johnson's poetry, historical sketches, and collection of miscellaneous anecdotes was probably taken from his lectures. While a few of his statements seem prejudiced by today's standards, the obervations on pioneer life, as well as use of terms considered outdated by his time, are of particular interest. Also included is an all-name index. Transcribed and indexed by Barb Hurst.

Northeast Ohio History and Genealogy Blog

Historian, Derek S. Davey has created a blog of historical entries for NE Ohio. This is now a static site with some interesting information. (off-site)

Register of Historic Places in Lake County

Many buildings and historic districts have been listed on this official register. Packets of information and photos can be ordered from the National Park Service. (off-site)

Historic Markers in Lake County

Many plaques and signs have been placed commemorating historic districts or places and buildings. This is a growing project.

Lake County Fair History

A history of Lake County Fair by the late historian, Jack Daniels. (off-site)

A Brief History of Geauga County

A work of Dr. Bari Oyler Stith for the Geauga County Bicentennial in 2006. As Lake County's parent county, Geauga County holds the history of Lake's beginnings. (off-site)

Occupations

Some of the Farms that Made Lake County Famous - An Index

Paragraphs about many farms from all over the county, including some genealogy and property ownership. From the 1915 Atlas of Lake County, Ohio, this was indexed by Cynthia Turk.

Business index to parts of the 1898 Lake County Atlas

This collection was part of the 1907 Courthouse time capsule. the businesses in the introductory materials are indexed here by Marianne Wiley.

History of the Fairport, Painesville & Eastern Railroad

A historical sketch of one of Lake County's own industrial railroad lines and the industries it served by Tom Kapostasy. Other major lines that ran through the county included New York Central, Nickel Plate Road, and Baltimore & Ohio. These have changed names over the years and the B&O is now a bike path. If you are a railroad fan check out the main site at www.rr-fallenflags.org. (off-site)

Fairport, Painesville & Eastern Railroad/Railway

Scott Nixon offers another historical sketch of the FP&E with maps and links to other maps and information. (off-site)

Great Lakes and Shipping History for John A. Green

"Lake Captains;" "Relatives and Descendants of John A. Green [1769-1849] who owned/captained ships on the Great Lakes." Submitted by Marcia Green. This gives ideas for research into the shipping industry. Link to a great Maritime database.

History of the Press

A historical sketch of Lake County's newspapers from History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Williams Brothers, 1878. This was transcribed by Becky Falin.

Medical Pioneers and Pioneer Medicine

An essay on the practice of medicine by J.C. Hubbard, M.D. from History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Williams Brothers, 1878. This was transcribed by Becky Falin.

Township and Municpal History

Jordan Creek in Concord

When Rose Moore petitioned to change the name of Gordan Creek back to the original Jordan Creek, she submitted some history seen here.

Concord History on Big Creek

A reminiscence of A. G. Smith about the industries along Big Creek and its tributaries in Concord Twp.

History of Eastlake

This one is on the City of Eastlake site. (off-site)

Fairport Harbor History

This is a brief history of Fairport on the Fairport Harbor site. (off-site)

Kirtland History

A very brief early history of Kirtland includes a few historic sites. (off-site)

Kirtland from Ohio Genealogy Express

Another short history of Kirtland. (off-site)

Personal and Pioneer Reminiscences
by Christopher Crary

Published 1893 by Marshall Printing Company, this wonderful collection of memories appears to be a series of writings by Kirtland's first pioneer. This was transcribed by Becky Falin.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Dale R. Broadhurst Site of Mormon History

Although this seems to be a bit controversial, it is loaded with historical offerings; both LDS and local newspaper articles on Mormon history; biographies and commentaries on Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and Solomon Spalding. (off-site)

LeRoy History

On the Leroy Township site, this history may have been provided by Lake County Historical Society. (off-site)

Early Settlers of LeRoy

Spencer Phelps writes of his recollections for The Telegraph in 1860. This was transcribed by .

Pioneers of LeRoy

Mrs. J. W. Doncaster offers a bit about the earliest settlers of LeRoy, found in the files of "The Lake County Pioneer Association," 1879; 1891. This was transcribed by Nancy Turo, then Cynthia Turk.

Writings of people from Isle of Man in LeRoy

Thomas Kellys and Famalys Journal to America in the Year 1827 from Isle of Man to LeRoy is fascinating reading. Two versions are reprinted here and a major commentary on them. This site also has a great deal of other Isle of Man information including letters home from Cleveland and LeRoy. It opens with a genealogical abstract of the book Early Lake County Settlers from Isle of Mann.(off-site)

Historical Offerings of Madison

Madison Public Library has collected many items about Madison and its people, much from Madison Press. (Community Links - Madison History) (off-site)

Pioneer Sketches of Madison township, Lake County, Ohio

This book, edited by Joseph C. Hager, PhD., is a collection of sketches of Madison by the pioneer residents themselves. The link contains Preface, Table of Contents and Index. Or download the entire book (Long download in PDF format - 10.9 MB)

MADISON. - Historical Sketches of the Township from Its Settlement to the Present time

Three weekly articles on the history of Madison Twp, and some of its pioneers. From the Geneva Times , January 1878, transcribed by Cynthia Turk, with thanks to Geneva Library.

Madison Pioneers 1819

A listing of residents of Madison recalled to be there in 1819 by E.L. Ware.

Hanks Place, a brief history of Madison

Scroll down for Madison History, but lots of names and other relevant subjects

History of Mentor

The official City of Mentor site offers a brief history and a comprehensive timeline. Their bicentenial book is also highlighted. (off-site)

Early Settlers of Mentor

Calvin Ingersoll recalls the early settlers of Mentor for The Telegraph in 1890. This was transcribed from "Lakelines" by Cathi Salmi.

Early History of the Disciple Church in Mentor

An in depth history of Mentor and surrounding areas from the point of view of the Church. This is chapter 8 from Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio, by A.S. Hayden, Cincinnati, Chase & Hall, Publishers, 1875. This was transcribed by Becky Falin.

Painesville History Page

Carl Engel, historian and reference librarian, wrote this history of Painesville with a chronology of events on the Morley Libary site. (off-site)

Index to The Centennial of Painesville O.

Commemorative newspaper issued on July 4, 1900 “by the New Connecticut Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. This index submitted by Marianne Wiley.

Pleasant Gathering - Painesville Pioneers Meet

20 elderly Painesville area pioneers met for a social gathering on 12 Jan 1872. This transcription from The Painesville Telegraph includes name, age, nativity, time in area, and current twp.

History of Morley Library, Painesville

Carl Engel, compiled and wrote this history of Morley Library for the centennial celebration. A genealogy of the Morley family is included. (off-site)

Rider Tavern, Painesville

A Willoughby Independent article including the Rider family's migration to Painesville and history of the tavern from 1818 to 1895

A Pioneer Sketch - History of the Painesville Mills

This article first appeared in The Painesville Telegraph in 1886. Retranscribed by Kerri O'Connor.

Past and Present - Painesville

Reminiscences at the laying of the cornerstone of Parmly House in Painesville in 1860. From The Telegraph, this was transcribed by Casi Dosky.

The William L. Perkins Home

83 Wood Street in Painesville has a long history and many residents. Written by Cynthia Turk with help from Nicholas Langhart, Jonathan E. Louden, and Carl Thomas Engel.

Letter about Richmond History

This letter was written in 1932 by C.F. Luther about some of the buildings and sites in memory of Richmond, now Grand River. Transcribed by Cynthia Turk.

North Perry Village History

Official site of this small village established in 1925. (off-site)

The Story of Waite Hill

Very long article by Lilly Tryon Curtis from the "The Lake County Historical Society Quarterly" Volume 19, #4, December 1977 as transcribed on the Waite Genealogy Site. In addition, on that site site is "The Pioneers of Waite Hill Came from New York" by Mildred Steed. (both off-site)

History of the City of Wickliffe

The city of Wickliffe presents this history. (off-site)

City of Willoughby

This history is on the official Willoughby site with help of Willoughby Historical Society. It has photos linked. (off-site)

Chagrin--Willoughby

A Willoughby Independent article about the renaming of the medical school and the township of Willoughby.

Letters from Adaline Wirt to Willoughby

Seven letters were written by Adaline Wirt from 1862 to 1869 to her friend, Mary Reeve in Willoughby. This is a wonderful historic snapshot of the time period transcribed by David Forney.

Willowick History Project

This nice article is by Gale Lippucdi and is on the Willoughby-Eastlake Library site. (off-site)