We are working to make our large collection of antique, and now more modern dolls, tell the story of these toys and their owners across time. What message did the doll give to the little girl who received her? How did events in the world affect the dolls that were produced? Why were dolls so pervasive a toy for girls? Much of the history of women was never written and remains lost, but little girls have left us their dolls … Read More
Henry Church Jr. (1836-1908) Henry Church Jr. might have been one of the most talented people to ever live in Chagrin Falls. Born in 1836 as one of the first children in the settlement, residents referred to him as a “born blacksmith.” After learning the trade from his father, he opened his own blacksmith shop. However, Church Jr. had a unique quirkiness that carried him to hobbies beyond his profession. He played in the village band. He also kept Triangle … Read More
The monument in Evergreen Hill Cemetery was erected in 1867 through the efforts of Jane E. Church, sister of Henry Church, Jr. At the time, Miss Church was president of Chagrin Falls Soldiers’ Aid Society, which was organized September 5, 1861 and became an auxiliary to the Cleveland branch of the Sanitary Commission. It closed June 16, 1865 with a balance of $134 which was applied toward the monument. Miss Church was given the honor of dedicating the monument September … Read More
Chagrin Falls waterpower and central location led to it becoming a manufacturing center. Products made in the Mills and Foundries of Chagrin found a market throughout the Country and abroad.The Adams Bag Factory made paper bags and sacks. The Ober Lathe Co. made a wide variety of lathes, trivets, irons and equipment for a worldwide market. Many are now sought after by private collectors. The main building is still in use as an office complex. Ober Employees in 1913. Chagrin … Read More
In 1873 the Union Fair Association purchased 34 acres on the South side of east Washington Street. They built a race track and stadium and the facility was used for the Cuyahoga County Fair until the 1920’s. This site is now the Campus of Chagrin Falls High School, Middle School and Board of Education offices. The stadium is still in use for a multitude of sports and community activities. A trotter race at the Fairgrounds The County Fair A wheelbarrow … Read More
This great postcard dates from around 1910. It shows a view looking South up the hill on S. Main street. The building just past the hotel is now the Re-Max Realty Company. Corner of Washington and Franklin Streets. The building on the right was Henry Church’s Blacksmith shop. The Masonic Hall and Lowe’s TV are there today. Triangle Park – the Bandstand wasn’t built until 1877 Three years later trees have been planted and there is a new bandstand Circa … Read More
Postcards are a window into the development and history of a community. They have been used since their inception as a means to record history, celebrate unique features, record significant events and just to communicate. This group of historical postcards dates from the early 1900’s. This Hand-Colored postcard shows the famous carving known as Squaw Rock made by Henry Church (1836-1908) East Washington Street Corner of Washington and Main–Blue Tinted Postcard Main Street Looking North The high falls in Chagrin
Bullard, John Crane, Clarence Gates, Washington Hill, E. B. Hutchings, William “Boss” Ober,George Williams, Adam Clark Williams, John Wesley
Our Collections Exhibits Sihler Research Center Photograph Collection Doll Collection Postcard Collection The Exponent Newspaper (1874-1903) on Ohio Memory The Chagrin Falls Exponent Newspapers have been digitized on Ohio Memory thanks in part to the Ohio History Fund, a grant program of the Ohio History Connection. Chagrin Falls History Historic Scavenger Hunt A Short History of Chagrin Falls Did You Know? Chagrin Falls Trivia Biographies of Famous Residents Industries Steam & Electric Railways Life with the Interurban Railway Fairgrounds Airport … Read More
Sue Roby Christmas Card One of our most popular cards over the past few years. Designed by Sue Roby you will get 8 cards and envelopes for $10 plus tax, shipping and handling. The card measures 4 x 8 inches and says Season’s Greetings
Christmas in the Kitchen by Pat Zalba – Volunteer Curator Chagrin was a milltown in its early years (1833 into the early 20th century) There were mills located along the river, from Whitesburg, through town, and around the river bend by River Run Park on Solon Road. The Kitchen display represents a Village millworker’s family Christmas celebration. It is decorated with mostly homemade items, and includes a reproduction feather tree with cookies, cakes, popcorn and … Read More
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We purchased 4 very interesting pictures through Ebay showing a transient camp located at the Chagrin Falls Airport. Don Barriball has researched the origins and work of this camp and you can read his article below. During October of 1929 the US stock market collapsed. Financial panic and depression became worldwide. In May 1931 the Austrian Credit-Anstalt failed. The credit crunch caused international bankruptcies and unemployment around the planet. The 1930 population of the USA was 123,202,624 (U.S. Census Bureau). … Read More
(Editor’s Note: Grace Ambos, a longtime friend of Barbara Taggart, described her many trips on the Interurban in her diary, which came into Barbara Taggart’s possession after Grace’s death. Barbara loaned the diary to the Historical Society so that we might make a copy or transcription of it. Zo Sykora volunteered to make the transcription, and wrote this charming piece for our newsletter.) The Chagrin Interurban cars carried milk and other freight to Cleveland; they carried mail back and forth … Read More
After 18 years at the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Lion and the Fatling return home to Evergreen Hill Cemetery. It was an emotional, awesome sight to see the carefully wrapped lion sculpture arrive on the back of a large flatbed truck. The sculpture was carefully removed from the flatbed truck by a skillful forklift driver hired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. It almost appeared that the lion was smiling and saying, “Hey everyone, I’m home!” This transpired on … Read More