Munroe Falls, Ohio

Last updated

Munroe Falls, Ohio
City
City Hall of Munroe Falls 01.jpg
Munroe Falls City Hall
Munroe Falls seal (low res).jpg
Seal
Motto: 
"A Great Place to Call Home"
Summit County Ohio incorporated and unincorporated areas Munroe Falls highlighted.svg
Location in Summit County and the state of Ohio.
Coordinates: 41°8′40″N81°26′23″W / 41.14444°N 81.43972°W / 41.14444; -81.43972
Country Flag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Ohio.svg  Ohio
County Summit
Founded1838
Government
 •  Mayor Allen Mavrides
Area
[1]
 • Total2.86 sq mi (7.41 km2)
 • Land2.77 sq mi (7.17 km2)
 • Water0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2)
Elevation
1,030 ft (314 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,044
 • Density1,821.60/sq mi (703.22/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
44262
Area code(s) 330, 234
FIPS code 39-53312 [2]
GNIS feature ID1065085 [3]
Website munroefalls.com

Munroe Falls is a city in east-central Summit County, Ohio, United States, along the Cuyahoga River. The population was 5,044 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of Akron and is part of the Akron metropolitan area.

Contents

History

Like much of the Connecticut Western Reserve, the area that makes up present-day Munroe Falls was previously inhabited by various tribes of American Indians. [4] When the Western Reserve began being surveyed in 1796, what is now Munroe Falls was mostly in the southern part of the survey township Town 3, Range 10 (later to be Stow Township), then a part of Washington County before being placed in the new Jefferson County the following year. In 1800, it was made part of Trumbull County, which followed the boundaries of the Western Reserve, and in 1808, the area was made part of Portage County. [5] The first settlers in present-day Munroe Falls, a group of around 40 people including Francis Kelsey and William Stow, came in 1809. [6] William Stow built a log house to serve as his residence at what is now the northwest corner of Ohio State Route 91 and Munroe Falls Avenue. [7] Kelsey built a sawmill on the south side of the Cuyahoga River and a gristmill was built on the north side. [8] The initial name of the new village was Kelsey's Mills (also Kelsey Mills). The first school in Munroe Falls was built in 1816. [9] In 1817 a wooden dam was built to provide power for both mills and the name of the village was changed to Florence. [10] Around 1836, William and Edmund Munroe (also spelled Monroe) from Boston arrived and purchased the two mills and approximately 250 acres (101 ha) of land around them to lay out a new village, which they named Munroe Falls. [8] The village was incorporated October 26, 1838. [11] The Munroes had great plans for the village to become a center of commerce and an important city, but these plans never worked out. [12] The "Munroe Falls Manufacturing Co." was granted a charter by the Ohio Legislature in April 1837 in order to cultivate and manufacture cotton, flour, paper, silk, sugar and wool, including machinery and tools towards these purposes. [13] The keys to their plans were to found a silk industry, which involved cultivating mulberry trees and silkworms. [14] The trees thrived, the worms did not. [14] Shortly after its founding the Munroe Falls Manufacturing Co. founded a bank, which issued various, unbacked currency. [15] For the next few years the local economy thrived under the nearly unlimited credit afforded to its customers by the Company and its Bank, but ultimately the macroeconomics of the period prevailed, and both the Company and Bank failed, leaving many local residents holding worthless currency. [15] After about 10 years, which included the economic instability of the Panic of 1837, [6] the Munroes, who had arrived wealthy, defaulted to many of the creditors and the properties they owned were taken over by other individuals. [8] [16]

The Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal opened in 1840 and passed through Munroe Falls, the first boats landing on August 6 of that year arriving from New Castle, Pennsylvania. [17] It closed around 1870. [18] Also in 1840, Munroe Falls was made part of the new Summit County. [19] In 1866, the old gristmill was purchased by the Cleveland Paper Company and refitted for paper manufacturing. The building burned down approximately 1–2 years later and the present factory - today owned by Sonoco Products - was built on the same site. [8] In 1884 railroad tracks were laid in the former canal bed as part of a single line owned by the Pittsburgh and Western Railroad. [20] These tracks were doubled in 1900 following the purchase of the railroad by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. [21]

In 1921 the community applied for and was granted village status. This action was taken in order to avoid becoming a part of neighboring Stow, which was applying for similar status and had included sections of Munroe Falls in its application. Finding that as a village there was not enough population to maintain self-sufficiency, the village held city officer elections for the first time in 1925 in order to revoke the village charter and receive county services. [22]

The village got a new town hall in the 1960s. This building, which continues to serve as City Hall, was constructed in 1885 to serve as the Munroe Falls Schoolhouse, serving its original purpose until 1916. [23]

Munroe Falls converted to city status in 1991. [9]

In the early 2000s, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Summit County determined that the oxygen levels were too low in the Cuyahoga River, due mostly to the stagnant pool behind the Munroe Falls dam. [24] The solution was to lower the dam, which dated to 1903. [10] Eventually, the entire dam was removed after workers discovered a natural ledge underneath the existing dam. This project, begun in August 2005 and completed in October 2006, was part of a larger project along much of the river in the city that included cleanup and restoration. [25]

Munroe Falls is also home to SGS Tool Company, the worlds’ largest manufacturer of round solid carbide cutting tools. SGS Tool Company's corporate headquarters and R&D centers are located in Munroe Falls, while their manufacturing operations are located in Cuyahoga Falls. SGS is the largest employer in Munroe Falls, and is the largest percentage of the corporate tax base.[ citation needed ]

Geography

Munroe Falls is located in eastern Summit County adjacent to the cities of Stow to the north, Tallmadge to the south, and Cuyahoga Falls to the west with the village of Silver Lake on the northwest. It was formed from parts of the now-defunct Stow and Tallmadge townships.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.81 square miles (7.28 km2), of which 2.72 square miles (7.04 km2) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) is water. [26]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930 302—
1940 51169.2%
1950 93382.6%
1960 1,82895.9%
1970 3,794107.5%
1980 4,73124.7%
1990 5,35913.3%
2000 5,314−0.8%
2010 5,012−5.7%
2020 5,0440.6%
2021 (est.)5,023−0.4%
Sources: [27] [28] [29] [2] [30]

2010 census

As of the census [31] of 2010, there were 5,012 people, 2,086 households, and 1,467 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,842.6 inhabitants per square mile (711.4/km2). There were 2,189 housing units at an average density of 804.8 per square mile (310.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 1.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 2,086 households, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 45.1 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 33.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

Of the city's population over the age of 25, 42.0% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. [32]

2000 census

As of the census [2] of 2000, there were 5,314 people, 1,955 households, and 1,524 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,939.8 inhabitants per square mile (749.0/km2). There were 2,035 housing units at an average density of 742.9 per square mile (286.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.10% White, 0.92% African American, 0.02% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population.

There were 1,955 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $61,169, and the median income for a family was $69,918. Males had a median income of $51,277 versus $31,563 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,317. About 0.3% of families and 1.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 0.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Munroe Falls is primarily served by the Stow–Munroe Falls City School District. [33] Serving more than 5,700 students, the district operates six elementary schools (Echo Hills, Fishcreek, Highland, Indian Trail, Riverview and Woodland), Lakeview Intermediate School, Kimpton Middle School and Stow-Munroe Falls High School. Riverview Elementary and Kimpton Middle School are located in Munroe Falls, while the remainder of the district's facilities are located in Stow. [34] A small portion of Munroe Falls is part of the neighboring Tallmadge school district. [33]

Parks and Recreation

Summit Metro Parks has two parks located in Munroe Falls: the Munroe Falls Metro Park, which features a swimming lake; and Tallmadge Meadows. The city owns and operates two parks: Brust Park and Guise Park. The Summit Bike & Hike Trail goes through Brust Park, and is maintained by Summit Metro Parks. [35]

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summit County, Ohio</span> County in Ohio, United States

Summit County is an urban county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 540,428, making it the fourth-most populous county in Ohio. Its county seat and largest city is Akron. The county was formed on March 3, 1840, from portions of Medina, Portage and Stark Counties. It was named Summit County because the highest elevation on the Ohio and Erie Canal is located in the county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portage County, Ohio</span> County in Ohio, United States

Portage County is a county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 161,791. Located in Northeast Ohio, Portage County is part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area. Its county seat is Ravenna and its largest city is Kent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio</span> City in Ohio, United States

Cuyahoga Falls is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 51,114. The second-largest city in Summit County, it is located directly north of Akron and is a suburb of the Akron metropolitan area. The city was founded in 1812 by William Wetmore and was originally named Manchester, but renamed for the Cuyahoga River and the series of waterfalls that run along the southern boundary of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Lake, Ohio</span> Village in Ohio, United States

Silver Lake is a village in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,516 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of Akron and is part of the Akron Akron metropolitan area. Silver Lake is between and surrounded by the cities of Stow and Cuyahoga Falls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stow, Ohio</span> City in Ohio, United States

Stow is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 34,483 at the 2020 census. It is a suburban community within the Akron metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tallmadge, Ohio</span> City in Ohio, United States

Tallmadge is a city in eastern Summit County, Ohio, United States, with a small district in neighboring Portage County. It is a suburb of Akron and part of the Akron metropolitan area. The population was 18,394 at the 2020 census. Tallmadge was founded in 1807 and is the second-oldest city in Summit County, following Hudson, which was founded in 1799.

William Wetmore founded Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in 1812.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuyahoga River</span> River in Ohio, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio</span> Township in Ohio, United States

Bath Township is one of the nine townships of Summit County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 9,635 people in the township, a suburb of Akron.

Portage Township was one of the sixteen original townships in Summit County, Ohio. It was located in the middle of Summit County. It included the cities/towns of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls as well as an earlier part of Middlebury. Eventually, the township was absorbed by Akron and Cuyahoga Falls and ceased to exist. When created, it was in area and included Survey Town 2, Range 11 in Western Reserve. The township derived its name from the Portage Path, which extends north to south through the middle of the township.

Northampton was one of the 16 original townships in Summit County, Ohio. It was in the middle of Summit County, bordering Akron and Cuyahoga Falls. No incorporated areas were formed within the township but Akron and Cuyahoga Falls expanded into Northampton via annexation. In 1986, Northampton Township merged with Cuyahoga Falls, the first time a township and city merged in Ohio. When created it occupied survey Town 3, Range 11 in the Western Reserve and was about 25 square miles (65 km2) in area. Its first settler, Simeon Prior named the township for the Hampshire County, Massachusetts village of Northampton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin Township, Portage County, Ohio</span> Civil township in Ohio, United States

Franklin Township is a civil township in Portage County, Ohio, United States. It is on the Cuyahoga River in Northeast Ohio on the western edge of the county. The 2010 Census found 5,527 people in the township and the 2020 census recorded 6,283 people. The township is part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area and the larger Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area.

Summit Metro Parks is a Metroparks system serving the citizens of Summit County, Ohio by managing 14,000 acres (5,700 ha) in 16 developed parks, six conservation areas and more than 150 miles (240 km) of trails, with 22.4 miles (36.0 km) of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stow–Munroe Falls High School</span> Public high school in Stow, Ohio, United States

Stow–Munroe Falls High School (SMFHS) is a public high school in Stow, Ohio, United States. In the 2014–15 school year, the school had an enrollment of approximately 1,650 students and a staff of more than 160. It is the only high school in the Stow–Munroe Falls City School District and serves students in grades nine through twelve, mostly from the cities of Stow and Munroe Falls, but also neighboring parts of Cuyahoga Falls, Franklin Township, Hudson, and Tallmadge. In recent years, academic recognition has come from the Ohio Department of Education, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio State Route 91</span> State highway in northeastern Ohio, US

State Route 91, formerly known as Inter-county Highway 91 until 1921 and State Highway 91 in 1922, is a north–south state highway in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. Its southern terminus is at U.S. Route 224 in Springfield Township, east of Akron. Its northern terminus is at State Route 283 on the Timberlake/Eastlake border less than one mile (1.6 km) south of Lake Erie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio State Route 532</span> State highway in northeastern Ohio, US

State Route 532 is a north–south state highway in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. The highway runs from its southern terminus at a signalized intersection with U.S. Route 224 (US 224) on the Summit–Portage county line approximately 0.75 miles (1.21 km) south of Mogadore on the border of Springfield Township and Suffield Township to its northern terminus at a diamond interchange with Interstate 76 (I-76), at its exit 29 within the Tallmadge city limits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northeast Ohio Conference</span>

The Northeast Ohio Conference (NOC) was a high school athletics conference, recognized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), in northeast Ohio. Eighteen member schools — each located within the Northeast District of the OHSAA — competed in three six-member divisions: Valley, River and Lake. Dan Gerome served as the last NOC commissioner. Anthony J. Paletta designed the conference logo in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stow–Munroe Falls City School District</span> School district in Ohio

The Stow–Munroe Falls City School District (SMFCSD) is a public primary and secondary school district with administrative offices in Stow, Ohio. Located in eastern Summit County, the district serves more than 5,100 students and has 6 elementary schools. 2 middle schools. And 1 high school – primarily from the cities of Stow and Munroe Falls – but also from neighboring portions of Cuyahoga Falls, Franklin Township, Hudson and Tallmadge. With a staff of more than 600, SMFCSD operates eleven facilities: its own central office, a bus garage, six elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school and one high school. Tom Bratten currently serves as superintendent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akron metropolitan area</span> Metropolitan area in Ohio, United States

The Akron, OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, sometimes referred to as Greater Akron, is defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget as an area consisting of two counties, Summit and Portage, in Northeast Ohio and anchored by the city of Akron. As of the 2020 census, the MSA had a population of 702,219. The Akron MSA is also part of the larger Cleveland–Akron–Canton, OH Combined Statistical Area, which has a population of 3,633,962 people as of the 2020 census, the largest metropolitan area in Ohio.

The Suburban League is an Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) athletics league made up of 15 high schools from Cuyahoga, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties in Northeast Ohio. It was formed in 1949 and expanded into two divisions in 2015.

References

  1. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ↑ Perrin, William Henry, ed. (1881). History of Summit County (1972 ed.). Chicago, Illinois (1881); Indianapolis, Indiana (1972): Baskin & Balley (1881); Unigraphic (1972). pp.  207–225.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  5. ↑ "Ohio County Formation Maps". genealogyinc.com. Genealogy Inc. 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
  6. 1 2 "Early History Munroe Falls". SMFPL.org. Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. Retrieved October 12, 2009. Adapted from Fifty Years and Over Of Akron and Summit County by Samuel A. Lane (1892)
  7. ↑ Myers, Katheryn; Peterson, Renée; Donaldson, Carl (1980). Bishop, Dawn (ed.). History of the Village of Munroe Falls, Ohio. Munroe Falls, Ohio: Munroe Falls Historical Society. p. 31.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Perrin, pp 516-518
  9. 1 2 Daugherty, Beth E. (2010). Images of America: Stow and Munroe Falls. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 7–8. ISBN   978-0-7385-8388-4.
  10. 1 2 "History". Munroe Falls Dam: Changing a Dam, Restoring a River. County of Summit. 2008. Archived from the original on December 24, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2009. In 1809, an estimated 40 people traveled from Connecticut and settled next to a river called the Cuyahoga. The settlers called their new village Kelsey's Mills. ... The first report of a dam in Munroe Falls was 1817, the same year that the name of the village was changed to Florence.
  11. ↑ "Sights to See in Monroe Falls". SummitHistory.org. Summit County Historical Society. 2007. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
  12. ↑ Myers, Katheryn; Peterson, Renée; Donaldson, Carl (1980). Bishop, Dawn (ed.). History of the Village of Munroe Falls, Ohio. Munroe Falls, Ohio: Munroe Falls Historical Society. p. 12.
  13. ↑ Myers, Katheryn; Peterson, Renée; Donaldson, Carl (1980). Bishop, Dawn (ed.). History of the Village of Munroe Falls, Ohio. Munroe Falls, Ohio: Munroe Falls Historical Society. pp. 12–14.
  14. 1 2 Myers, Katheryn; Peterson, Renée; Donaldson, Carl (1980). Bishop, Dawn (ed.). History of the Village of Munroe Falls, Ohio. Munroe Falls, Ohio: Munroe Falls Historical Society. p. 14.
  15. 1 2 Myers, Katheryn; Peterson, Renée; Donaldson, Carl (1980). Bishop, Dawn (ed.). History of the Village of Munroe Falls, Ohio. Munroe Falls, Ohio: Munroe Falls Historical Society. pp. 15–16.
  16. ↑ Myers, Katheryn; Peterson, Renée; Donaldson, Carl (1980). Bishop, Dawn (ed.). History of the Village of Munroe Falls, Ohio. Munroe Falls, Ohio: Munroe Falls Historical Society. p. 11.
  17. ↑ Daugherty, Beth E. (2010). Images of America: Stow and Munroe Falls. Arcadia Publishing. p. 14. ISBN   978-0-7385-8388-4.
  18. ↑ Adkins, Wendy J. (1997). "Penn & Ohio". Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
  19. ↑ Perrin, p. 229
  20. ↑ "Timeline". Stow.Oh.Us. City of Stow. 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  21. ↑ Myers, Katheryn; Peterson, Renée; Donaldson, Carl (1980). Bishop, Dawn (ed.). History of the Village of Munroe Falls, Ohio. Munroe Falls, Ohio: Munroe Falls Historical Society. p. 21.
  22. ↑ "They'll Be First and Last Officials at Munroe Falls". The Akron Sunday Times. Akron, Ohio. September 13, 1925. p. 3.
  23. ↑ Daugherty, Beth E. (2010). Images of America: Stow and Munroe Falls. Arcadia Publishing. p. 119. ISBN   978-0-7385-8388-4.
  24. ↑ "Problem and Solution". Munroe Falls Dam: Changing a Dam, Restoring a River. County of Summit. 2008. Archived from the original on March 23, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
  25. ↑ "Removing the Munroe Falls Dam". Munroe Falls Dam: Changing a Dam, Restoring a River. County of Summit. 2008. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
  26. ↑ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Population: Ohio" (PDF). 1930 US Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Munroe Falls city, Ohio". July 5, 2022.
  31. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Munroe Falls (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  33. 1 2 Exner, Rich (January 13, 2009). "Northeast Ohio property tax rates, and where the money goes". Cleveland.com . Cleveland Live, Inc. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  34. ↑ "Stow-Munroe Falls City School District". SMFSchools.org. Stow-Munroe Falls City School District. 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  35. ↑ Summit Metro Parks
  36. ↑ Heldenfels, Rich (October 8, 2010). "Slasher film star chases after dream: Stow grad John Magaro carves out acting career, stars in Wes Craven flick". Akron Beacon Journal . Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
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