A Brief History Of Brecksville

Brecksville, located 14 miles south of Cleveland, borders Independence on the north and Broadview Heights on the west and occupies 19 square miles.

In 1810, Seth Paine left Williamsburg, MA with his family and Melzer Clark for the Western Reserve. A land surveyor, Paine began work in the current Brecksville area in 1811 and acted as land agent for the Breck family, area landowners. Paine himself selected 200 acres of flat land, becoming known as the first white settler in Breck Township.

Brecksville emphasized agriculture throughout the 19th century. In the 20th century, the construction of paved roads and the introduction of the automobile made the area more accessible to Cleveland residents. Brecksville Township was incorporated as the Village of Brecksville in 1922 and in 1937-38, many village farms were uprooted to make room for the construction of Ohio Rte. 82.

Post-World War II migration from Cleveland to area suburbs, especially during the 1950s, contributed to Brecksville's growth and it received city status on December 16, 1960. In 1960, its population reached 5,435 and by 1970, it had nearly doubled to 9,137. In 1990 the population reached 11,818.

In 1986, the Brecksville City School District operated 4 elementary schools, 1 junior and 1 senior high school, and a vocational school. 83% of Brecksville public-school graduates attend college. Other educational facilities include a parochial school and the Advanced Bartending Institute. Among the city's largest employers in 1986 were the Brecksville Veterans' Hospital, Ameritech, B.F. Goodrich Corporate Research & Development Center, and the Brecksville Board of Education. In addition to a local branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library System, recreational facilities include the Brecksville Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks, 2 golf courses, riding stables, and a toboggan run.