The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Trail shares history
A walk through the city of Avon’s history now is possible at the new Avon History Walk trail, which is dedicated to the many monumental moments of the city’s past and how they have shaped it into what it is today.
A trail to share the city’s history was planned over two to three years ago, according to Clint Gault, commissioner of Landmark Preservation Commission.
But after much intensive planning, the trail finally was shared with the public Dec. 6, and is
available for all to explore.
During the grand opening of the scenic trail, located behind Avon’s Aquatic Facility at 36265 Detroit Road, members of the Landmark Preservation Commission gave a tour to the public and to some who helped influence it.
The tour, accompanied by Mayor Bryan Jensen, was held to introduce the new trail and share facts, stories and events dedicated to Avon’s history.
Some individuals who attended the opening had a part in the creation of the trail and even shared their own facts regarding the city’s history.
All facts are individually listed on 14 historic plaques and are located throughout the about 100 yard trail.
Each plaque is made into a 3-by-2-foot display, said Joe Richvalsky, former chairman of the Landmark Preservation Commission.
Donating funds toward the plaques in the Avon History Walk were made by the FirstEnergy Corporation and Avon resident
Jean Fischer.
Others who helped provide the research, information and their time in creating the trail included: Jensen; Taylor “Jack” Smith, initiator of the project; his son Matt Smith, chairman of Landmark Preservation Commission; Ralph D. White, president of Avon’s Historical Society; Rose Seighman, administrative assistant of the city; members of the Landmark Preservation Commission; and journalism students and staff of Avon High School, who helped write much of the information on the plaques.
Some of the people, items and places that were collected and shared throughout the trail are focused on Avon’s beginning mainly through the Industrial Revolution, Gault said.
For example, the notable Avon Mound Cemetery, the city’s founder Wilbur Cahoon, artifacts left behind or collected, the city’s social changes, the stone houses, Greek Revival homes, its famous people and more were focused on.
According to Gault, it took much time to finally have the project complete because heavy preparation and efforts went into creating it.
“This took so much time because the collaboration into the project was full of people who care so much,” he said. “There was a lot of thought behind it and we wanted to get it right.”
Getting enough citizens who are very knowledgable and involved with the city took time, Gault said.
To provide the city with enough information and history, many involved had to do the right amount of research and make sure they knew what to share throughout the History Walk, he said.
Committee meetings were held once or twice a month to discuss and plan.
During much of that time, Gault said they would search through many photos provided by many different sources in order to select what was best for the trail.
According to Gault, for the last decade, Avon has been one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Ohio.
Over two-thirds of the current residents in the city are new, he said.
The Avon History Walk was meant to share facts and keep memories alive on the city’s history, not only with long-time residents, but with newcomers so they can understand the charm Avon has, Gault said.
“A lot of (the trail) was designed for new people as well,” he said. “If they don’t know about its history, all its charm will be lost.”
To get younger generations to understand the importance of history that is worth remembering, Richvalsky said he shared a thought with Avon High journalism students.
He said he shared that if they lost their own family
photos or personal belongings in any unfortunate event, those precious moments would be gone forever.
He said he wanted the students to understand the importance of the trail and its history to educate children further on.
Richvalsky said there’s an opportunity to increase the project as time goes on, such as including new photos or embellishing more information.
As of now, with all that is shared throughout the trail, he said it will be something all family members and youngsters can do together.
According to Gault, both Jensen and the Landmark Preservation Commission’s vision is to preserve special places in Avon.
In an area of land that includes an aquatic facility, a new Every Child’s Playground project for children with disabilities and another trail for children provided by the Lorain Public Library System, the Avon History Walk addition will make it a gathering place, he said.
“This will be an actual gathering place where the community can grow together,” Gault said.