Olmsted's Origins. The community of Olmsted commemorated its
bicentennial in 2014. In 1795, the Connecticut
Land Company auctioned a tract of land called
Township 6, Range 15. Almost half the northern
side was purchased by Aaron Olmsted, though
he would die before seeing the land. In 1814,
James Geer cleared a plot in the southeastern corner
of the township to grow corn. He built a log house
and moved his family there in 1815. Originally called
Kingston, the township was renamed Lenox in 1823.
In 1829, the settlement became Olmsted; in return
Aaron Olmsted's son Charles donated 500 books for
the creation of a community library.
Olmsted Township. Agriculture dominated early township life. In the
20th century, the township became part of what
was described as "the largest greenhouse area in
the country," growing mainly tomatoes and then
flowers. Later, residential development took over
much farmland. Certain road names commemorate
early township residents, including Bronson, Cook,
Fitch, Jennings, John, Lewis, Schady, Sprague,
Stearns, and Usher. By the 21st century, Olmsted
remained one of only two townships in Cuyahoga
County, although parts have been incorporated
into Olmsted Falls, North Olmsted, Berea, and Brook
Park. The community still has many houses dating
to the
19th century, some as far back as 1820.
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