| |
Area: 4 square miles in Geauga County (1 mile
x 4 miles)
Population: 4,000+
Location: 20 miles southeast of Cleveland
Education:
Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools
Community Link:
South Russell
General Characteristics: South Russell
is made up of many different neighborhoods. The main
street running east west through the center of South
Russell is “Bell Street”. You can find many of the
neighborhoods branching off this main street as you
drive through the village. Several lakes can be
found within these communities. Township Hall sits
at the corner of Chillicothe Road and Bells Street.
In the spring and summer months one can find a local
farmers market there on Saturday mornings. South
Russell is a great place to live and raise a family.
The houses range in price from $200,000 to over 1
million.
Information: Mayor’s Office, 5205 Chillicothe
Rd.
South Russell, OH 44022 440-338-7843
South Russell History:
Dissatisfaction with Russell's tiny one room
schools, and refusal to build one central building
led residents in the southern part of Russell
Township to break away and form South Russell
Village in 1923. South Russell then asked to be
annexed to Chagrin Falls School District and was
accepted, with students transferring to Chagrin in
1926.
Soule's Corners, now Route 306 and Bell Road, was
the center of the new settlement. Two churches were
originally built. The Disciple Church became part of
Chagrin's Federated Church in 1921, and its empty
building, moved back a bit farther, became South
Russell Village Hall. The Baptist Church, built in
1846, had as one of its early ministers Elder Samuel
Willard, father of Archibald Willard, later famous
as the painter of 'The Spirit of '76. ' It is said
their home on Bell Road was highly decorated by the
youthful artist. Bell Road was also the scene of
activity on the underground railroad, with several
farms active in transporting slaves toward Lake Erie
and their freedom across the lake in Canada. Paw Paw
Lake was established in 1921 as an area of middle
income homes for Masonic families.
Outside of a few homes scattered along Bell Road,
there was little growth until the 1950's. Now South
Russell is a popular bedroom community, with some
industry along East Washington Street. A medical
center and a small business area are thriving at
Route 306 and Bell Road. Zoning is strictly
enforced. Chagrin Airport on Bell Road existed from
1932 until 1979. Many famous people flew in and out
of the airport. During World War II, young pilots
trained there. South Russell Village has a mayor,
council, its own police and service departments and
several commissions.
Written by Peg Hetrick, Secretary, Russell Township
Historical Society |
|
