On Sunday, October 18, a ceremony to officially mark the North Royalton City Green for history took place. According to North Royalton Historical Society President, Don Harris, the original plan was to have the sign installed during the city’s annual Community Festival, but, unfortunately, the festival had been canceled, due to the COVID-19 virus.
Commendations to the City and the North Royalton Historical Society from the Director and Board President of the Ohio History Connection were presented, “for furthering the knowledge of our state’s heritage by placing an Ohio Historical Marker to tell the story of the Green and its importance in the history and life of North Royalton.” Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, neither was able to personally present the commendation. The City and North Royalton Historical Society also received a commemoration from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, which partners with the Ohio History Connection. The commemoration states that, “the Green’s origins date back to 1825. During its history, it has served the community in many ways, including a cemetery, space for public buildings and stores, grounds for events and home to ‘the gazebo’ bandstand. Your good work to recognize the Green and rich history of North Royalton is important and we commend you for your efforts.”
The marker is located at the Green on Ridge Road, directly across the street from the North Royalton Historical Society Museum & Home, in the area where the old City Hall was located until 2017. Earlier this year, the City formally accepted the donation of the historical marker for this historical site. The Council resolution states that, “North Royalton became a township in 1818 and soon thereafter established the ‘City Green’ at the intersection of Ridge Road and Bennett Road as a public space used over two centuries for many different public purposes, including for a town hall, a cemetery and gathering space.” In recent years, it annually hosted the Community Festival, Harvest Festival and Pet Carnival.
The North Royalton Historical Society received a grant for up to $3,040 to place the historical marker on the Green. “It was a two-and-a-half-year effort,” said North Royalton Historical Society member, Georgia Viehbeck. The “City approved it, we submitted (a) grant application, and after two submissions, to the Ohio History Connection, we were given a grant referred to as William G. Pomeroy Foundation, to cover a good portion of the costs, (the) North Royalton Historical Society paid (the) balance and the city provided location and labor and materials to install.”
This is the second marker that has been installed in North Royalton. The first was installed to honor John Shepherd, a North Royalton resident who fought in the Revolutionary War. That marker is located on Royalton Road near the North Royalton Cemetery. It was installed in 2010.
The Ohio History Connection (OHC), which was previously known as the Ohio Historical Society, is a statewide history organization that promotes the discovery of Ohio history. It’s service is focused on preserving and sharing the state’s history. “Connecting people to the stories of Ohio is part of our daily work and it’s accomplished in part through educational efforts such as sponsoring Ohio History Day and Ohio As America, an online textbook and curriculum for teaching the history of our state. Overseeing the Historical Markers program and the Local History Office are additional ways we connect people to Ohio history,” according to OHC officials. Their Historical Marker program has been responsible for placing more than 1,800 markers that share our state’s history. The program began in the 1950s. Approximately 20-30 new markers are accepted into the program yearly.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
