An aerial view of Fairport Harbor's most notable landmark

Today’s post is a re-post of the local blog “Local Lore” by blogger and Curator/President of the Fairport Harbor Historical Society, Dan Maxson. He is preparing for the bicentennial celebration of Fairport Harbor, Ohio and is sharing some Lake County history.  

A Bicentennial Moment: A Brief Look at the Early History of Fairport Harbor

Located 30 miles east of Cleveland on the shores of Lake Erie is Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Fairport’s past is rich in history and local lore and today Fairport Harbor may be one of Ohio’s best kept secrets. Situated on the mouth of the Grand River, Fairport is home to two local lighthouses, a magnificently groomed Metroparks beach, local cultural organizations, boating access to Lake Erie and to a village community celebrating 200 years steeped in early American history. The early history of Grandon (1812), renamed Fairport (1836) and designated Fairport Harbor (1959), is the story of the Western Reserve.

The area known today as Fairport Harbor is adjacent to the Grand River and is situated on the southern shores of Lake Erie. This area became an important port of call for immigrants, for commerce to the Upper Great Lakes Region, and as a haven from volatile storms that dotted Lake Erie. The earliest archaeological evidence found in Fairport were the Erie Indians (Cat Indians). A partial 1937 dig confirmed their presence from around 1650-1654. It is believed their sudden end came at the hands of the Iroquois. The next mention of people in this area came in 1760 when Major Robert Rogers and his group were thought to have taken haven at the mouth of the Grand River during a severe storm.

A deed of cession in 1786 saw Connecticut give up lands granted in a charter from King Charles II.  Historical accounts of Geauga and Lake Counties referenced pioneer families as early as 1798. Samuel Fowler was deeded 3,246 acres that year.  In January 1801, Samuel Fowler deeded to Abraham Skinner and Eleazer Paine 25 percent of his land holdings. While their homes were not in Fairport proper, it did lead the way to the first home being built in Fairport just two years later when Joseph Rider built in Fairport in 1803.

May 16, 1812, saw the original village of Grandon laid out by Captain Abraham Skinner, Samuel Huntington and others on land deeded by Samuel Fowler in 1798. Grandon became a thriving port of call. Commerce grew, a lighthouse was added in 1825, immigrants soon followed, and early American history continued to unfold in this corner of the soon-to-be Lake County.

Each Thursday in 2012, this blog will feature a bicentennial moment from the Village of Fairport Harbor highlighting a year of celebration!
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