Did you know ???
- Geauga County was founded in 1806
- The Grand Geauga River took it name from “Sheauga”, a Native American word for raccoon.
- Burton was the first permanent settlement in the county in 1798.
- One of the earliest settled homes in the county is now home to Middlefield Historical Society
- The Geauga County Commissioners purchased the land for the county seat for $400.00 in 1812, from Boston entrepreneur Peter Chardon Brooks and the area was named Chardon.
- A clapboard courthouse was built in 1813, replaced in 1824 destroyed in a devastating fire on Chardon’s Main Street in July 1868. Rebuilt this time in brick but moved to the center of the green where it stands today.
- Geauga County is home to the second-largest Amish population in the state and 4th largest in the world!
- The Great Geauga County Fair is the oldest in the State. It currently attracts over 200,000 visitors over its five-day run
- Since its inception in that late autumn of 1823, The Great Geauga County Fair has been held continuously each year
- Tourism in Geauga County began in the 1830s when wealthy Clevelanders traveled to the country to partake in the “healing waters” of the natural spring located on Little Mountain. (Because at that time Little Mountain was part of Geauga County, Lake County was not established until 1840)
- Punderson Lake, now Punderson State Park, was another attraction during that time.
- The Geauga Theater was conceived in 1939 and was “the place to see and be seen”
- In 1886 Amish families looking for less expensive land began settling in Geauga County
- In the late 1800’s land was selling in Geauga County for $20 to $40 per acre
- In 1886 Amish families looking for less expensive land began settling in Geauga County
- In 1900 the Cleveland and Eastern railroad was extended into Geauga County making it an option for not only the wealthy.
- The “Great” in the Fair’s name and seal was officially added in this century to signify the Fair’s seniority standing as the “Great Granddaddy” of Ohio’s county fairs!
- Geauga County was ranked by Forbes Magazine as the “4th Best County in the Nation to Raise a Family”
- Geauga population (2019) 93,649
- You can attend outdoor movies under the stars
- Both Chardon and Burton Square are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are the center of numerous community gatherings
- The state’s record for growing the largest pumpkin is 1,370lbs, by a Huntsburg resident (Jerry Rose) His record breaking pumpkins can be seen at the Annual Huntsburg Pumpkin Festival.
- There are approx. 40 apple orchards in Geauga County, which produce a total of 90 million pounds of apples, or over 1,000 varieties.
- Every Sunday in March is “Pancake Town USA” where you can enjoy fresh made maple syrup over all-you-can-eat pancakes
- The township with the smallest population is Montville, which also has one of Geauga County’s most popular attractions, Pioneer Waterland.
Some Maple Syrup Facts
- Geauga County is #1 in Maple product production in Ohio.
- Ohio is usually ranked 4th or 5th in Maple Syrup Production in the United States. There are 20 states that produce Maple Syrup.
- Maple Syrup is a 100 % natural and organic product. To make maple syrup, water is removed from the sap, but nothing is added.
- Maple Syrup is only made for a maximum time of 6 weeks.
- Maple Syrup has the same calcium content as whole milk.
- Maple Syrup is rich in vitamins & minerals. Vitamins B2, B5, B6, niacin, riboflavin and folic acid. Minerals: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and iron.
- Maple Syrup even contains trace amounts amino acids – the building blocks of protein!
- The sugar maple and the black maple are considered the best types for maple sugaring.
- Maple syrup and maple sugar are 100% fat free, cholesterol free.
- Maple Syrup is an All Natural Sweetener. Since it isn’t processed, your body can digest it much easier.
- Usually maple trees are not tapped until they are 40 years old and 10-12 inches in diameter.
- Real maple syrup contains no preservatives. Opened containers of maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Maple syrup won’t actually freeze.
For a full and fascinating history of Geauga County and more fun facts follow this LINK to the Geauga County Archives…