Lakewood, Ohio

VerifiedFounding families and early settlers

Named for James Nicholson, called the first permanent settler on Detroit Road, who bought 142 acres in 1818.

He paid $1,336 for 142 acres: 140 on either side of Nicholson from Madison to the Lake plus two acres in Clifton Park, thrown in as an apology for the price. In 1835 he built a white colonial home at Detroit and Nicholson, still seen as a fine New England-style example; four generations lived there. He attended Rockport Township's first meeting in 1819 (elected overseer of the poor), organized the first church and helped build the first log schoolhouse.

Named for

James Nicholson (bought land 1818; house 1835). First permanent settler on Detroit Road; community organizer (church, school); married Betsey Bartholomew in 1812.

Homestead: White colonial house at Detroit and Nicholson, built 1835

See every street tied to James Nicholson on the map →

Sources

Community notes

See Nicholson Avenue on the map →