Strongsville is a city in

Cuyahoga County, Ohio Cuyahoga County ( or , see ) is a large urban County (United States), county located in the Northeast Ohio, northeastern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. The county seat and most populous city is Cleveland. As of the 2020 United States census, ...

, United States, and a suburb of

Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...

. As of the 2020 census, its population was 46,491. The city's nickname, Crossroads of the Nation, originated from the intersection between the

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the oldest railroads in North America, oldest railroad in the United States and the first steam engine, steam-operated common carrier. Construction of the line began in 1828, and it operated as B&O from 1830 ...

and Southwestern Electric Line that connected Cleveland and

Wooster, Ohio Wooster ( ) is a city in Wayne County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Located in northeastern Ohio, the city lies approximately south-southwest of Cleveland, southwest of Akron and west of Canton. The population was 27,232 at the ...

. As the railroad line ceased operation in 1931, the motto and city seal have been adapted to reflect the modern-day intersection of

Interstate 71 Interstate 71 (I-71) is a north–south Interstate Highway in the midwestern and Southeastern United States, southeastern regions of the United States. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 64, I-64 and Interstate 65, ...

and the Ohio Turnpike.

History

Founded by settlers arriving in the newly purchased

Connecticut Western Reserve The Connecticut Western Reserve was a portion of land claimed by the Colony of Connecticut and later by the state of Connecticut in what is now mostly the northeastern region of Ohio. Warren, Ohio was the Historic Capital in Trumbull County. T ...

, the city was named after John Stoughton Strong, the group's leader. He brought his oldest son, Emory Strong, his brother-in-law Elijah Lyman Sr., and Guilford Whitney, another relative of the Strongs. Along with Whitney came his daughter, her husband John Hilliard, and their daughter. Other pioneers in the group included William Fuller Jr., Obadiah Church, Zachariah Goodale, and George Fox Gilbert. They arrived in 1816 and cleared enough land to construct log cabins. The 25-square-mile area of land was surveyed and divided into lots for John Stoughton Strong to sell off by agreement with

Oliver Ellsworth Oliver Ellsworth (April 29, 1745 – November 26, 1807) was a Founding Father of the United States, Attorney at law, attorney, jurist, politician, and diplomat. Ellsworth was a framer of the United States Constitution, United States senator fr ...

of Hartford, Connecticut. Strongsville officially became Township No. 5, 14th range on February 25, 1818. Strongsville then became a village in 1923 and was ultimately designated a city in 1961. John Stoughton Strong, originally from Vermont, was instrumental in Strongsville's establishment and early growth. He drew in settlers from New York, Pennsylvania, and New England by driving cattle that he obtained to markets in those states. In the following years, he oversaw the development of settlements, roads, businesses, schools, and churches. He had the first mill built in 1820 on the Rocky River in Albion. While it is no longer standing, the dam and foundation still exist in what is now Bonnie Park. He also brought in settlers with specialized skills, such as Dr. William Baldwin as the town doctor. The John Stoughton Strong House was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

on November 24, 1980. Many of the main streets in the city are named after other principal figures and landowners from the city's history, e.g. Howe, Drake, Shurmer, and Whitney. Alanson Pomeroy House

The Pomeroy House, built in 1847, was known as the Homestead for over a century. Alanson Pomeroy, the homeowner and prominent Strongsville resident, hosted members of the Congregational Church of which he was an active member, and opened his spare room to travelers. During the Civil War, the Homestead became a stop on the

Underground Railroad The Underground Railroad was an organized network of secret routes and safe houses used by freedom seekers to escape to the abolitionist Northern United States and Eastern Canada. Enslaved Africans and African Americans escaped from slavery ...

, where he concealed runaway slaves on his property. From this residence in Strongsville, the runaway slaves were taken to boats on the Rocky River for passage to Canada. The Alanson Pomeroy House was added to the

in June 1975. After a few years of renovation, it opened as Don's Pomeroy House Restaurant & Pub in 1980. Guests can dine in the library, the old dining room, the study, or the parlor. The pub is located downstairs and the upstairs bedrooms now serve as private dining rooms. In 1853,

John D. Rockefeller John Davison Rockefeller Sr. (July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was one of the List of richest Americans in history, wealthiest Americans of all time and one of the richest people in modern hist ...

's family moved to Strongsville. At the time, Rockefeller was only a child. On April 11, 1965, an F4 tornado hit Strongsville; it was part of the

1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak The 1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak was a historic severe weather event that affected the Midwestern and Southeastern United States on April 10–12, 1965. The tornado outbreak produced 55 confirmed tornadoes in one day and 16& ...

National Register of Historic Places

* Alanson Pomeroy House * John Stoughton Strong House * Strongsville Town Hall * Valerius C. Stone House

Geography

Strongsville is located at (41.312752, -81.831976). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is covered by water. The east branch of the Rocky River enters Strongsville from North Royalton and exits into Berea. Valley Parkway parallels the river's northwesterly course. This portion of the Cleveland Metroparks, named Mill Stream Run, includes Bonnie Park and Ranger Lake. Abutting the Rocky River, the recreation area offers visitors a pavilion, picnicking facilities, two small ponds, and several sport fields. Bonnie Park serves as a hub for hiking, bridle, and paved multipurpose trails.

Demographics

The median income for a household in the city was $68,660, and the median income for a family was $76,964 (these figures had risen to $79,715 and $90,870 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $54,988 versus $33,129 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $29,722. About 1.3% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over. Of the city's population over the age of 25, 41.6% held a bachelor's degree or higher.

2020 census

2010 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2010, there were 44,750 people, 17,659 households, and 12,563 families living in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 18,476 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.0%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 1.9%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.1% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population. There were 17,659 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.9% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age in the city was 44.2 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 32.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 43,858 people, 16,209 households, and 12,383 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 16,863 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.18%

, 1.26%

, 0.05% Native American, 3.21% Asian, 0.01%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 0.28% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population. There were 16,209 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were

living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 19.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.13. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

Government

The current mayor, Thomas Perciak, was elected in November 2003 following the death of longtime mayor Walter F. Ehrnfelt on May 25, 2003.

Education

Strongsville High School serves students in grades 9 through 12. The city's five elementary schools serve pre-kindergarten through 5th grade: Chapman, Kinsner, Muraski, Surrarrer, and Whitney. With Strongsville's younger student population on the decline, three elementary schools, Allen, Drake and Zellers, closed their doors in recent years. A private Catholic school, St. Joseph and John's, serves children through the 8th grade. In 2012, citizens approved a bond issue for $81 million. The bond money was used to build a new middle school, combining the old Center and Albion middle schools, renovations to the high school, technology upgrades to the elementary schools, and renovations to the preschool. The new middle school was built just in time for the 2016–2017 school year.

2013 Strongsville City Teachers' Strike

The Strongsville City Teachers' Strike was a

labor strike Strike action, also called labor strike, labour strike in British English, or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became co ...

organized by the Strongsville Education Association that lasted for eight weeks. The strike commenced at 12:01 a.m. on March 4, 2013. The dispute is over a number of issues, notably teacher contracts, pay step increases, health insurance premium costs, and general working conditions. The Strongsville Education Association claims the Board does have the money to meet the teachers' salary requirements, but that "the 'projection' figures released by the Board on its website are no more than arbitrary, meaningless figures." The Strongsville Board of Education attests that the district is currently "operating in the red", meaning the district budget deficit will increase drastically if the status quo remains. Several rounds of negotiations over said issues between the S.E.A. and the B.O.E. have taken place since March 2010. The strike ended after eight weeks.

Transportation

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority provides bus service in the city.

Places of Interest

Strongsville Clock Tower 8-10-24 thumbnail IMG 3305

Beebetown - Historic neighborhood *Brunswick Auto Mart Arena, formerly OBM Arena - Strongsville ice rink *Ehrnfelt Recreation and Senior Center *Freedom Trail - This paved, mile-long walkway is one of Ohio's largest veteran memorials. It features a gazebo with a directory of war veterans from Strongsville. * Gardenview Horticultural Park * Mill Stream Run Reservation - The east branch of the Rocky River runs alongside this branch of the Cleveland Metroparks.
The Pomeroy House
A former stop on the Underground Railroad *Preserve of Strongsville - Strongsville's only national preserve. * Southpark Mall * Strongsville Business & Technology Park - The largest industrial park in Northeast Ohio * Strongsville Commons and Clock Tower - The site of many traditional events, including the Strongsville Homecoming, the Rib Burnoff, and the Winter Lighting Ceremony. * Strongsville Historical Society and Village - The site of original historic buildings from the 19th and early 20th century, as well as a replica of the log cabins built around the time Strongsville was founded. Every September they host a Harvest Festival. * Strongsville Water Tower - Previously painted by Ziggy creator Tom Wilson. In 2019, the white water tower was repainted green and the Ziggy figure covered. * Town Center Park - Opened in 2024 as part of Strongsville's Town Center Enhancement and Walkability Initiative. The park includes a community pavilion, improved walkways, two playgrounds with accessibility accommodations, a food truck area with picnic tables, and tennis, pickleball, sand volleyball, and half basketball courts. * Walter F. Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge

Notable people

* Zebedee Coltrin (1804–1887) Mormon pioneer, authority in Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints * Tom Dimitroff Sr. (1935-1996) gridiron football player and coach * Bruce Drennan (1950-) sportscaster * Walter F. Ehrnfelt (1932-2003) politician * Asmahan Farhat (1990-) swimmer * Jenny Fish (1949-) Olympic speed skater * Nate Freese football player * Morris E. Gallup (1825–1893), member of the Ohio House of Representatives * Jackie Gayda (1981-) professional wrestler * Olga D. González-Sanabria scientist, inventor * Michael Green (1989-) soccer player * Joe Haden football player * Paul Hoernemann (1916-1965) college football coach * Mark Hunter photographer and lead singer of

Chimaira Chimaira ( ) is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in August 1998, the band's name is derived from the word Chimera (mythology), Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology. Throughout its history, ...

* Tim Kamczyc (1990-) basketball player * Drew Kaser, NFL punter * Reggie Lee (1974-) actor * Fred McLeod (1952-2019) sportscaster * Dayton Miller (1866–1941) physicist, astronomer, acoustician *

Lorin Morgan-Richards Lorin Morgan-Richards (born February 16, 1975) is an American author, illustrator, and songwriter, primarily known for his young adult fiction and Gothic Western comedy series ''The Goodbye Family''. In the past, Morgan-Richards served as the p ...

(1975-) author and illustrator, primarily of children's literature ( Beebetown, Ohio) * Tom Patton politician * Kyle Prandi (1979-) Olympic diver * Mike Pruitt football player *

(1839-1937) businessman, philanthropist * William Rockefeller (1841–1922) businessman, financier, co-founder of Standard Oil * George Myron Sabin (1833-1890) federal judge * Isaac Sowells (1982-) football player *

Herb Stein Herbert Alfred Stein (March 27, 1898 – October 25, 1980) was an American football player. He later made his professional debut in the National Football League (NFL) in 1922 with the Buffalo All-Americans. He played for Buffalo, Toledo Maro ...

(1898-1980) football player * Gary Suhadolnik politician * Frances L. Swift (1837-1916), church and temperance leader * Daniel Martin Varisco (1951-) anthropologist, historian * Kyle Veris (1983-) soccer player * Matt Warburton television writer * Aaron White (1992-) professional basketball player * D. J. Woods (1989-) AFL football player

References

External links

City of Strongsville

Strongsville Chamber of Commerce
{{Authority control Cities in Ohio Cities in Cuyahoga County, Ohio Populated places established in 1818 Cleveland metropolitan area