Settled before Ohio achieved statehood, the community was little more than a cluster of mills and cabins in the early 1800s, but it prospered gradually and began to build a proper town on the ridge above the river. Throughout the century, Willoughby was plagued by fires that destroyed the wooden homes and commercial buildings, but they did not dampen community spirit nor did they diminish prosperity. Benefiting hugely from the arrival of two rail lines and an electric streetcar company, wealthy businessmen rebuilt the village and proudly placed their names on the buildings they constructed, many of which still stand in the historic town

Today, Willoughby retains the look and feel of small-town America, with tree-lined residential streets, a quaint downtown listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and residents who display unabashed, flag-waving, community pride.

For those who already know and love Willoughby, this book will become a treasured keepsake to return to time after time as they reminisce about days gone by, and fondly remember friends, neighbors, and classmates. For readers who have not yet discovered this gem of a town, the author hopes the book will serve as an introduction to Willoughby’s rich history and, perhaps, entice newcomers to visit this welcoming city on the banks of the Chagrin River.

In writing Willoughby, it was the author’s goal to inspire residents to look at the architecture that surrounds them with new perspective, and strive for its continued preservation. For it is architecture that links the past with the present and contributes so much to the sense of place that makes this town beloved in the hearts of so many.

Scott Hagan works on the Wood County barn

Bicentennial Barns of Ohio book captures the essence of the Bicentennial Barn-painting project by weaving a tapestry of heartwarming narratives. In the fall of 2002, Ohio author Christina Wilkinson personally visited all eighty-eight counties in Ohio, photographing the barns and interviewing both current and former owners. Welcomed into their homes with old-time country hospitality, Christina Wilkinson listened as the owners opened their hearts, often sharing emotional stories and allowing her to view the past through the window of family photograph albums. Together, the owners walked with her around their farms, as they explained the affection they feel for their barns.

Combining her interviews with old photographs and historical research, Christina Wilkinson presents a nostalgic view of Ohio’s agricultural past. As she thoughtfully recounts amusing anecdotes and treasured memories, Bicentennial Barns of Ohio takes the reader back to an earlier time. A time when horses pulled plows, milk was stored in cans, and a six-year-old boy could legally drive a Model T.

Ohio proud, this keepsake of the Bicentennial Barn-painting project has been written and published in northeast Ohio and is officially licensed by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission.