City History Of Painesville Painesville, Ohio, is the county seat of Lake County. Surveyed by the Connecticut Land Company in 1798 as part of their Western Reserve land holdings, the first settlers came in 1800. The leaders of a band of sixty-six pioneers to this new community were John Walworth and Gen. Edward Paine, formerly of Connecticut but more recently of Scipio, New York. In 1800 the Western Reserve became Trumbull County and at the first Court of Quarter Sessions, the county was divided into eight political townships. The smallest of these was named Painesville, for Gen. Paine, and embraced what later became the townships of Perry, Leroy, Hambden, Concord, Chardon, Mentor, and Kirtland. The township government was organized in 1802. The post office in Painesville was opened in 1803 with John Walworth as postmaster. In what was to become the commercial center of the township was a settlement called Oak Openings, its name being descriptive of the scrub oaks and sandy soil. It was here in 1805 that Gen. Henry Champion laid out a village plat and called it Champion. But in 1832 when this portion of the township was incorporated, the name Painesville was chosen. In 1840 Lake County was created from portions of Geauga and Cuyahoga Counties; and Painesville was made the county seat and a court house erected. In 1852 the Town of Painesville became a village and in 1902 the village became the City of Painesville. A Great Community, Rich in History Early Settlers came to the Connecticut Western Reserve and the Current Site of the City of Painesville in 1800. Led by General Edward Paine, a group of sixty hardy settler's founded a community on the banks of the Grand River. The settlement continued to thrive, and by 1832 the City of Painesville was established. In 1840, Painesville became the County Seat of the newly-formed Lake County. As the City grew, so did the services and facilities it provided. Lake Erie supplies and endless source of water for the system, as well as many recreational opportunities, nearby. Recreational facilities are easily accessible. Painesville's largest park, Kiwanis Recreation Park is adjacent to the Downtown, along the west bank of the Grand River, directly across from the scenic Casement Golf Course. In addition, the City maintains six neighborhood parks that provide both active and passive recreational opportunities throughout the year. The Parks and Recreation Department sponsors an extensive year-round schedule of activities for everyone, of every age. Downtown Painesville has combined the best of the past with the present. Renovated and restored buildings afford the ideal location for offices and stores providing goods and services for residents and businesses. Painesville is the center of the Lake County Government, a regional financial center, and the home of Lake East Hospital. These factors influence a thriving and expanding office market and provide many services for residents and businesses. The historic Rider's Inn, an enchanting bed and breakfast, provides lodging for those visiting the immediate area. There are also over 500 hotel rooms within minutes of the City. A variety of housing styles and sizes are ready to meet every family's desire and taste. Neighborhoods abound with tree-lined streets connected by pedestrian sidewalks. A culturally diverse community, the neighborhoods provide opportunities for people to interact and share in the community of Painesville. Painesville provides an endless variety of educational opportunities. Children can walk to neighborhood schools or attend local private schools. A single high school is the hub of community and student activity. Lake Erie College, a focal and intellectual point of the community since 1836, provides educational and cultural opportunities for 1,000 students and City residents. Senior citizens can find social and educational programs at the Painesville Senior Center, located in the heart of Downtown. People enjoy Painesville, from the breathtaking views along the Grand River; boating, fishing, and swimming on Lake Erie to the festive park programs; the Annual Party-in-the-Park community- wide festival; summer concerts in the Veteran's Park downtown, and beautifully maintained natural areas. Painesville provides relaxation and fun for all ages.

PAINESVILLE, OHIO CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 1662 - Royal Charter of Connecticut grants colony territory from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean 1786 - Connecticut relinquishes colonial land claims, but retains the Western Reserve 1795 - Treaty of Greene Ville opens that portion of the Western Reserve east of the Cuyahoga River to settlement 1795 - Connecticut sells the Western Reserve to the Connecticut Land Company for $1,200,000 1796 - 1st survey of the Western Reserve by the Connecticut Land Company, which includes "Grand River Township" 1796 - Edward Paine, Junior, spends winter at Cleveland 1797 - June 3 David Eldridge, of the 2nd surveying expedition, drowns while attempting to cross the mouth of the Grand River 1798 - 1st survey of the Western Reserve by the Connecticut Land Company, which includes "Grand River Township" 1798 - Dec. 26 Henry Champion acquires ownership of Tract 3, in Township 11, Range 8 1800 - Census of Trumbull County, population 1,303 1800 - First settlers arrive, lead by General Edward Paine and John Walworth 1800 - Western Reserve becomes Trumbull County 1800 - Trumbull County divided into eight political townships, which includes Painesville Township 1802 - Painesville Township government organized 1802 - June Census of the Ohio Territory, population of Painesville Township 83 Free Males over the age of 21 1803 - Painesville Post Office begins operation with John Walworth as Postmaster 1805 - General Henry Champion lays out the town plat of Champion 1810 - Census of Painesville Township, population 670 1820 - Census of Painesville Township, population 1,278 1822 - July 16 Painesville Telegraph begins publication 1830 - Census of Painesville Township, population 1,499 1832 - Town of Painesville incorporated 1840 - Census of Painesville Township, population 2,580 1840 - Lake County erected and organized 1841 - Aug. 28 General Edward Paine dies 1850 - Census of Painesville Township 3,128 1852 - Town of Painesville becomes Village of Painesville 1854 - Storrs & Harrison Nursery established 1857 - Fire destroys business block in Painesville 1860 - Census of Painesville Township 4,388*; and Village of Painesville 2,676 1861 - Fire destroys business block in Painesville 1861 - Feb. 16 Abraham Lincoln, en route to his inauguration, makes speech from his train at the Painesville depot 1870 - Census of Painesville Township 4,995*; and Village of Painesville 3,728 1880 - Census of Painesville Township 5,516*; and Village of Painesville 3,841 1880 - July 3 Lake County Civil War Monument dedicated by presidential candidate General James A. Garfield, of Mentor 1883 - Nov. 30 Equal Rights Association, of Painesville, organized to advocate woman's suffrage 1890 - Census of Painesville Township 7,558*; and Village of Painesville 4,755 1899 - Oct. Morley Library opens 1900 - Census of Painesville Township 9,282*; and Village of Painesville 5,024 1900 - July 21 Dedication of monument erected in honor of General Edward Paine, in Charter Oak Park 1902 - Oct. 21 Village of Painesville becomes City of Painesville 1909- June 25 Lake County Court House dedicated 1910 - Census of Painesville Township 9,601*; and City of Painesville 5,501 1912 - Lake County Fair held at the new fairgrounds on Mentor Avenue 1920 - Census of Painesville Township 14,019*; and City of Painesville 7,272 1930 - Census of Painesville Township 18,673*; and City of Painesville 10,944 1940 - Census of Painesville Township 20,472*; and City of Painesville 12,235 1950 - Census of Painesville Township; and City of Painesville 1960 - Census of Painesville Township; and City of Painesville 1967- Sep. 25 Lakeland Community College opens with 1073 students and administrative offices and classrooms in Painesville 1969 - July 4 Series of severe thunderstorms begin to sweep off Lake Erie at about 8:00 PM with 120 MPH winds 1970 - Census of Painesville Township; and City of Painesville 1976 - Dec. 31 Diamond Shamrock Chemical Corp. closes down operations at the Painesville Township/Fairport Harbor facilities 1978 - Jan. 26 Blizzard of '78, the "white hurricane," with winds 40-60 MPH and gusts as high as 102 MPH, and lowest recorded barometric pressure of 28.28 inches of mercury 1980 - Census of Painesville Township; and City of Painesville 1986 - Jan. 31 Earthquake, 5.0 on the Richter scale and lasting 15-30 seconds, shakes area at 11:47 AM 1988 - June 25 Highest recorded temperature of 104 Degrees Fahrenheit at 4:37 PM 1989 - Nov. 11 Lake County Jail dedicated 1990 - Census of Painesville Township; and City of Painesville 1996 - Nov. 6 Painesville Post Office dedicated 1997 - Sep. 1 Rita C. McMahon becomes Painesville City Manager 2000 - Painesville Township celebrates its Bicentennial

Painesville Historic Districts Historic Mentor Avenue District (added 1978 - Lake County - #78002093) Also known as See Also:City Hall;Sessions House Wood St. and Mentor Ave. from Liberty to Washington St., Painesville (230 acres, 46 buildings) Historic Significance: Person, Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Multiple Architectural Style: Queen Anne, Italianate, Greek Revival Historic Person: Harvey,T.,et al. Area of Significance: Architecture, Social History, Education, Politics/Government Period of Significance: 1800-1824, 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899 Owner: Private , Local Gov't Historic Function: Domestic, Religion Historic Sub-function: Religious Structure, Single Dwelling Current Function: Domestic, Religion Current Sub-function: Religious Structure, Single Dwelling Administration Building, Lake Erie College 391 W. Washington St., Painesville Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Heard,Charles Wallace Architectural Style: Italian Villa Area of Significance: Architecture, Education Period of Significance: 1850-1874 Owner: Private Historic Function: Education Historic Sub-function: College Current Function: Education Current Sub-function: College Casement House Also known as Jennings Place 436 Casement Ave., Painesville Historic Significance: Event Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: 1850-1874 Owner: Private Historic Function: Domestic Historic Sub-function: Single Dwelling Current Function: Commerce/T Indian Point Fort Also known as Painesville Fort E of Painesville, Painesville Historic Significance: Information Potential Area of Significance: Prehistoric Cultural Affiliation: Erie Indian Period of Significance: 1499-1000 AD, 1749-1500 AD Owner: Local Gov't Historic Function: Domestic Historic Sub-function: Village Site Current Function: Landscape Current Sub-function: Park