Firelands

My hubby asked if I'd pose this question here, hoping someone from Ohio could answer it. How did the area get to be known as Firelands?
------------------
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

The area of Ohio known as "The Firelands" is part of a larger area known as the Connecticut Western Reserve. The Firelands were so named because the land was granted to survivors of the American Revolution whose homes and lands had been burned and destroyed by the British. Actually, most of the people to whom the land was awarded never saw the actual parcels of land. Most were sold to speculators, and subsequently resold in smaller plots. Many people don't realize it, but at one time, Connecticut claimed everything from the Atlantic shore westward, theoretically to the shores of the Pacific. Class dismissed.

------------------
Tim Bretz
The Alamo. The Maine. Pearl Harbor. The Trades.

Now that we are done with History, can we have RECESS;)

My husband (and I) thank you for the history lesson. Never too old to learn something new.

------------------
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

Additionally, the Western Reserve is known for the way it was broken up into townships. I forget the geographic areas, but part was divided up into 5 x 5 mile townships, the rest into 4 x 4 mile townships. Each township has a board of trustees. As the area has developed, cities have been incorporated and annexed some townships right out of existence.

If you look at Medina county (the first one south of Cuyahoga, where Cleveland is), you'll notice the stair-step shape of the county along the west side. Each step is five miles "tall." The top of the county is 15 miles across.

Brunswick Hills Township is the middle one in that row, and is now scattered into little fragments within that square, surrounded and interspersed with the City of Brunswick. Even with 33,000+ residents, the city itself was not incorporated until the 70's. It continues to eat up little pieces of township. I think there are a few cities around Akron and especially Columbus that have grown up in the same manner.

So there's the next phase of Western Reserve history. ;)

------------------
Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I had no idea that Western Reserve Townships were smaller than Northwest Ordinance (Michigan, Wisconson, Ill, Ind, Minn., and balance of Ohio) townships which are 6x6. Which explains why so many of the Detroit Suburbs which began as charter townships are 6x6 squares.

All the 13 states had there borders streching West to the "ends of the earth" Because of this both Mass, and NY both claimed Buffalo, Virgina because of its shape and angle of its northern border clamed the rest Ohio and Michigan.

Alot of the early surveys were left vague, that is why both Michigan and Ohio claimed Toledo too, the NW O made the southern border of Michigan Teritory a line drawn from the lowest point of Lake Michigan east to its intersection with Maumee Bay, present day Maumee Bay State Park. Because of this so called "war" Michigan received the nickname Woulverines, and is why the state seal is dated 1835 but Congress recognizes 1837 for Michigans statehood.

------------------
Dave

"If you look to the left side of the train you will see the Coasters of Cedar Point"
*** This post was edited by kneemeister 5/17/2002 8:01:03 PM ***
*** This post was edited by kneemeister 5/17/2002 8:04:00 PM ***

I guess Ohio lost that particular war...

-- Harley (born & bred in Toledo)

------------------
CP fan since 68.

Actually Wis. lost, in exchange for the Toledo Corridor, Michigan got the western half of the UP and all its lumber and minerals.

The Michigan legislature declared itself a state in 1835 and ran the Territorial governor off. To gain favor they created the Cabinet Counties, named after Andrew Jackson's Cabinet-- Jackson, Ingham, Monroe, Branch, Calhone (sp) etc. But alas while Michigan Territory could name Counties, the Citizens of the Great State of Ohio could actually vote for Jackson in the election, so there wishes won out.

Thus ends HST 330, The History of Michigan, for today.

------------------
Dave

"If you look to the left side of the train you will see the Coasters of Cedar Point"

Wow an interesting AND educational thread.

"Would E=MC2 sound as intelligent coming from a southerner?"

What does this have to do with Cedar Point?

------------------
LIVE FOR FUN!
MagnumFAN is back! But now he's a ShoelessRider!

That's easy! Cedar Point is located in an area known as "The Firelands" (also known as the Western Reserve) for the reasons outlined in the first part of this thread! --Dave Althoff, Jr.