Connecticut Western Reserve

Connecticut Western Reserve
Connecticut Western Reserve
Region
Country	United States
State	Ohio
Established	1786

Ctwestclaims

The Connecticut Western Reserve was a portion of land claimed by the U.S. state of Connecticut in the present-day northeastern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. This area was part of the land originally claimed by Connecticut under its colonial charter. The Western Reserve included land that extended 120 miles westward from the western boundary of Pennsylvania.

History[edit | edit source]

The Western Reserve was established in 1786 when Connecticut ceded its claim to other western lands to the United States but retained ownership of this particular area. The land was intended to compensate Connecticut citizens who had suffered losses during the American Revolutionary War. The region was surveyed and divided into townships, each 5 miles square, and was sold to settlers and land speculators.

Settlement[edit | edit source]

The first settlers arrived in the Western Reserve in the late 18th century. Many of these settlers were from Connecticut and other New England states, bringing with them their customs, architecture, and town planning methods. The influence of New England culture is still evident in the region today.

Notable Towns and Cities[edit | edit source]

Several important towns and cities were established in the Connecticut Western Reserve, including:

Education[edit | edit source]

The Western Reserve was also notable for its early emphasis on education. Western Reserve College (now Case Western Reserve University) was founded in 1826 in Hudson, Ohio, and it played a significant role in the region's development.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The Connecticut Western Reserve has left a lasting legacy on the region, with many towns and cities retaining names and characteristics reminiscent of New England. The term "Western Reserve" is still used in various contexts, including the name of Western Reserve Academy, a private college preparatory school in Hudson, Ohio.