A Local’s Guide to Avon and Avon Lake

Both Avon and Avon Lake, Ohio are great places to call home, being among the more prominent suburbs on Cleveland’s west side. Putting down roots in these areas can be an ideal option for families or singles who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of downtown Cleveland but still be close enough to enjoy its many amenities.

At Diehard Local, we love celebrating all the wonderful communities throughout the U.S., so for this post we’re taking a look at key facets of Avon and Avon Lake!

Avon, Ohio History

Avon’s history stretches back more than two hundred fifty years, with some of the notable events including:

• During the 17th century, the region that became Avon was part of a single territory shared by the areas which later became Westlake, Bay Village, and Avon Lake. This territory was inhabited by a range of Native American tribes, including the Ottawas, Eries, and Wyandots.
  
  
• The Treaty of Fort Industry in 1805 granted the United States territories on the western side of the Cuyahoga River, including the region which would later become Avon.
  
  
• The first permanent American settlers came to the region in 1814, led by Wilbur Cahoon. Initially, the region was known as Township Number 7, then Xeuma, then Troy, until finally being christened Avon Township in 1824.
  
  
• An early prominent Avon resident was Harrison Williams, who was born in the city in 1873. Williams worked in manufacturing and eventually latched onto the bicycle craze of the 1890s, producing specialized bikes and tires that made him millions. He parlayed this success into other endeavors in New York, eventually becoming the richest man in America.
  
  
• Other prominent Avon natives in more modern times include NFL player Bubba Baker, professional bowler Chris Loschetter, and NFL player and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Gene Hickerson.

Great Things to Do in Avon!

Along with the countless things to do in Cleveland and the entire metropolitan area, Avon itself has a lot of ways for residents and visitors to have a blast! Here are some favorites:

• Miller Nature Preserve – Situated on 145 acres of woodlands, this preserve is a nature lover’s dream. Visitors can enjoy the conservatory featuring plants from all around the world, with specific collections including those focused on orchids, bansai trees, desert plants, carnivorous plants, palms, ferns, cycads, and many more. The site also has an amazing butterfly house and an onsite café!
  
  
• Lake Erie Crushers – Avon has its own hometown baseball team, the Lake Erie Crushers from the Frontier League. Founded in 2009, the Crushers play out of Crushers Stadium, competing in nearly 100 games a season, and have won two division championships and one league championship.
  
  
• Pickering Hill Farms – One terrific activity for Avon residents is attending this farm, that offers local produce, honey, baked goods, ice cream, and much more. Best yet, the farm raises thousands of pumpkins every year, so they’re a prime spot for getting your soon-to-be jack-o’-lanterns in the fall.
  
  
• Bars and restaurants – Avon has plenty of homegrown brewpubs and eateries to indulge at, with some prominent examples including Casa di Parente, The Wine Room & Tavern, Beerhead Bar & Eatery, Mulligans Pub and Grill, Frank and Ellie’s Place, Hecks, and many more.
  
  
• Local sports – Plenty of Avon residents love rooting on the home team, the Avon High School Eagles. So put on your purple and gold and get ready to hit up some football, baseball, basketball, or volleyball games!

Avon Lake, Ohio History

Located along Lake Erie between Sheffield Lake and Bay Village, Avon Lake shares some local history with its southern neighbor Avon but also has some highlights of its own. Notable events include:

• Avon Lake was part of the same territory that Avon was included within, alongside future communities like Bay Village and Westlake. Erie natives originally lived in the area, but these people were largely dispersed or integrated into Iroquois society following a 1656 war with the neighboring tribe. Later, the Lenape and Wyandot tribes came to the area in the early 1700s.
  
  
• The first European settlers in the area were Moravian missionaries in 1786. Following the Northwest Indian War, the future site of Avon Lake became part of the Connecticut Western Reserve, and further native claims to the land were dropped following the 1818 Treaty of St. Mary’s.
  
  
• By 1819, the area was referred to as Avon on the Lake, and in the early 1900s the region split off from Avon, Ohio to form the Avon Lake Township. Official city status was granted in 1960, and Avon Lake itself was formally recognized.
  
  
• In 1993, Avon Lake became a qualified Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
  
  
• Some prominent Avon Lake residents throughout the years have included Sandy Alomar of the Cleveland Indians, mentalist Angela Funovits, 1996 Olympian wrestler Matt Ghaffari, artist and animator Stephen Tompkins, and Tom Batiuk, creator of the comic strip Funky Winkerbean.

Great Things to Do in Avon Lake!

If you’re looking to get out and about in Avon Lake, the city offers plenty of amazing ways to have fun, including: 

• Wineries – Avon Lake’s Klingshirn Winery and John Christ Winery both serve up delectable wines you can buy onsite, with the John Christ Winery also offering an extensive food menu as well. Each establishment also has regular events, so check their sites for some great activities!
  
  
• Griswold’s Holiday Bar – Wanting something fun and festive this winter? Check out Griswold’s, a seasonal pop-up that really heaps on the holiday cheer! It gets fully decked out with Christmas décor and serves up a slew of specialty drinks, so check it out this year.
  
  
• Miller Road Park – Want a tranquil way to spend the afternoon? Go swing by Miller Road Park, a lakefront community space featuring playgrounds, walking and running trails, rentable gazeboes, picnic tables and grills, and much more.
  
  
• Local sports – Avon Lake is the rival to Avon, so if your allegiance falls on this side of the divide put on some maroon and gold and root on the Shoremen and Shoregals at their games!

Looking for Avon and Avon Lake Apparel?

If you need to pick up a gift for a loved one or simply need some new gear when you’re out and about in Avon or Avon Lake, our assortment of Avon and Avon Lake tees, sweatshirts, and hoodies are the perfect choice. Give our apparel a look to find your optimal fit and color!