Chagrin Falls’ history is reflected in the many historical homes around the village. As in the city of Cleveland, these 19th century homes were built in the prominent architectural styles of the era. You can also learn more about Cleveland’s historical homes here.
A brief history
The village of Chagrin Falls originated in 1833 as a settlement within the Connecticut Western Reserve. Much of its industrial and commercial development was the result of its natural topography and the presence of the Chagrin River. In 1842, the River was providing power for saw mills, flour mills, a paper mill, woolen mills, foundries, and others.
Incorporated in 1844, Chagrin Falls’ earliest residents included craftsmen and carpenters who helped in building and developing the community. Today, structures like the Chagrin Falls Township Hall (built in 1848) and The Gamekeeper’s Tavern (built in 1927), serve to remind residents and visitors of the village’s storied past.
After its incorporation, the village of Chagrin Falls continued to make great economic strides, particularly with the introduction of the railroad in 1877. This made Chagrin Falls accessible to new markets, giving the economy a huge boost.
Today, Chagrin Falls is considered one of the most affluent communities in Metro Cleveland, and the village’s historical homes are some of the most sought-after properties in the area.
Discriminating buyers who want a home with a distinct character can choose from a range of architectural styles that have influenced Chagrin Falls homes through the decades. Here are some of these styles:
Greek Revival
Popular around the country from 1825 to 1860, this architectural style features classical round or square columns in front, simple moldings and bold details. Greek Revival homes are mostly painted white and have gabled fronts.
There are still quite a few Greek Revivals in Chagrin Falls, among them the Charles Sears-Alfred Adams House, built in 1844, and the Aaron Bliss-Thomas Bayard House, built in 1843.
Italianate
This was popular from the 1840s to the 1880s. Italianate homes are mostly two-story structures, but some have three stories. Their most distinguishing features are wide protruding cornices, hipped roofs and elaborately decorated porches, doorways, and windows.
A beautiful example of this architectural style is the K. Eggleston House. Built in 1875, it’s in the Chagrin Falls West Side National Register Historic District.
Queen Anne
This style was popular from the 1880s to the early 1900s. Queen Anne homes were originally designed to be richly ornate, with bold and original color combinations. Some of a Queen Anne’s defining features include round towers, intricate windows and chimneys, and ornamental gables.
While not as ornate as other Queen Annes, the charming Menges House on Summit Street (built in 1898) boasts some of these defining features.
Colonial Revival
This has been the most popular architectural style in the country since its introduction in the 1880s. Colonial Revival is a mix of various American architectural styles, making it very flexible. The roof, for example, may be gambrel, gabled or hipped. Colonial Revival homes often have two stories, with a porch or garage. The material most identified with this style is brick or stone, combined with siding in another material.
The lovely and well-maintained Brewster – Kenney House, built in 1928, is a superb example of the iteration of the Colonial Revival style in Ohio.
Bungalow/Craftsman
Rooted in the back-to-basics traditions of the Arts and Crafts movement, the Craftsman/bungalow style became immensely popular in Ohio and the rest of the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bungalows tend to be single-story and two-story homes and have hipped or gabled roofs, full front porches, and overhanging eaves.
There are many different kinds of bungalows in Chagrin Falls, and among the most notable are the Vene L. Merriman House, built in 1918, and the Andrew Phillips House, built in 1917.
Homes for Sale Chagrin Falls, Ohio – Greater Cleveland Real Estate
If you’re looking for a historical home for sale in the Cleveland area, visit this page. Call us for more info or to explore other homes for sale in the area.