A Sunday Drive to Norwalk, Ohio

Earlier today we headed north to Norwalk, Ohio. My brother-in-law lost his father on Wednesday to cancer. So, we made the journey to Norwalk to pay our final respects to him. And, as you can well imagine, I scoured the countryside for historic markers or interesting buildings.

On the drive north I saw many signs, but the most interesting sign was one welcoming visitors to the Firelands. So, what are the Firelands? And what do they have to do with Norwalk? What I have discovered is a very interesting story in American history.

Norwalk, Ohio and the Firelands

The story of the Firelands begins in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1779. The town was burned by Tories resulting in massive losses to the residents. Compensation was offered in 1780 in the form of land in the Western Reserve in the Ohio Country. Originally the lands in the Western Reserve were called the Sufferers Lands. In 1808 the name was changed to the Firelands.

The first surveys were done in 1806. But, fears of British attacks during the War of 1812 halted surveys and settlements in the area. In 1815, Platt Benedict from Danbury purchased 1,300 acres of land at the present day site of Norwalk, Ohio. His plan was to establish a town. In 1817 he returned with his family and built a house, becoming the first residents of Norwalk. Norwalk became the county seat of Huron County in 1818. Platt Benedict became the first postmaster of Norwalk in 1818.

Over the years, Norwalk grew from a small settlement to a city. On April 12, 1881, Norwalk was incorporated as an Ohio city. In 2010 there were over 17,000 residents of Norwalk.

One of Norwalk's most famous sons was Paul Brown, legendary football coach and founder of both the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals. Another tie to Americana was through Flora Call. Flora Call was born near Norwalk in 1868. In 1888 she married Elias Disney. The Disneys moved to Chicago a year later. in 1901 they had a son named Walt. And, born in the village of Milan, a north of Norwalk, was Thomas Alva Edison.