Avon Lake Celebrates 200 Years

The City of Avon Lake is celebrating its 200th anniversary!

Bicentennial activities began over the summer and are continuing through next year with a wide range of calendar events. Homecoming this weekend, Sept. 28-30, is filled with activities. On Homecoming Saturday, all Avon Lake Schools will be open for alumni to tour. All the schools will be open to the public to tour and “remember when”.

Avon Lake – How It All Began

Avon Lake was born of Township Number 7 in Range 16 of the Western Reserve. Formerly a part of Cuyahoga County, it was briefly known as Xeuma, then became Troy Township in 1818.

In 1822, Lorain County was established, and in 1824 Troy found itself in a new county with yet another name. Now Avon Township, its territory included all of the area comprising the present cities of Avon and Avon Lake. Avon Lake’s first permanent settlers, the Adam Miller family, established their home along Erie’s shore in 1819. As population grew, agriculture – particularly grapes and fruit farms – became the township’s lifeblood.

In 1882, the Nickel Plate Railroad bisected Avon Township. In 1898, the Lakeshore Electric Railway and the popular Beach Park amusement site gave a substantial boost to surrounding land values. The railroad tracks ultimately became the line of demarcation between north Avon and south Avon, as early developers and agriculturalists parted ways.

In 1911 the citizens voted to split north and south Avon at the railroad tracks, and in 1915, Avon Lake installed its first township leaders.

Since then, Avon Lake has grown to a population of nearly 24,000. It blends large and small industry, multiple parks and beautifully developed hiking and biking trails, and is highly ranked for its schools and safe neighborhoods. Avon Lake has much to celebrate with this Bicentennial.

Avon Lake Bicentennial Upcoming Events

Alumni Homecoming: September 29, 12 – 3 p.m. – Welcome home Avon Lake Alumni! On Homecoming Saturday, all Avon Lake Schools will be open for alumni to tour. All the schools will be open to the public to tour and “remember when.” Visit www.avonlake200.org to get more details as we get closer to the date!

Taste of Chili Cook-off: September 29, 4 – 7 p.m. – Come enjoy “CHILI WITH HISTORY” Heritage Avon Lake’s annual fundraiser. Vote for your favorite Avon Lake chili in a blind taste-test and enjoy homemade desserts. Raffle tickets and door prizes also available.

Cemetery Tours: October 18 and 20, Lakeshore Cemetery, 32810 Lake Road – Enjoy a narrated tour hearing stories of Avon Lake’s early settlers. Groups meet at the Folger Home at 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 7 p.m. each evening (10/18, 10/19, 10/20) and walk the short distance to the cemetery with their guide. Refreshments are provided. Tickets are $15 each, and can be purchased online through Heritage Avon Lake.

Boo by the Woods: October 20, Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. – Over the last 200 years, a lot of ghost stories have been passed from generation-to-generation. Join this annual family-friendly Halloween Festival and enjoy indoor and outdoor festivities, meet & greet with cool characters and walk the haunted trail for some scary Avon Lake history.