Roots in Connecticut and the Firelands in NE Ohio

Published 12:20 pm Sunday, July 16, 2017

A seminar recently took me to Geauga and Ashtabula Counties, the northeastern most region of Ohio. This area was part of the American Revolutionary era “Firelands” land grant.

The Firelands was part of the Western Reserve of Connecticut in the Northwest Territory. In 1786, Connecticut ceded most of its western lands to the U.S. government, in preparation for the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

The state kept its claim to an area of land in the northeastern portion of the Northwest Territory known as the Connecticut Western Reserve.

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Connecticut chose to sell most of the land in the Western Reserve to finance the state’s educational system. Approximately 500,000 acres were reserved for Connecticut citizens who had suffered property losses during the American Revolution.

This portion of the Western Reserve became known as the Firelands, or the Sufferers’ Lands. During the Revolution, British troops had burned several Connecticut towns and many of their residents had lost everything they owned. They were able to start over again in the Northwest Territory. A company called the Ohio Corporation distributed the land to eligible applicants.

Much of the settlement of the region did not occur until after the War of 1812. As these new settlers developed this frontier, the villages and towns took on the look of their native states.

They kept many of their coastal traditions including seasonal favorites like New England style clambakes and Lake Erie yellow perch fish frys.

An off the beaten path Firelands region destination is known by the locals as “GOTL.” This acronym was locally termed and used well before acronym usage became commonplace. GOTL stands for Geneva on the Lake.

This lakeside resort is a throwback to 1950s and 60s with its mom and pop cottages and motor inns. The “strip” is Main Street/Lake Avenue, bustling with locally owned hot dog havens, hand shaken lemonade kiosks, and arcades complete with 70-year-old pinball machines and other early electronic games.

There are also plenty of casual dining stops and adult beverage joints. It is the carnival midway experience without the carnival.

After a round of golf, we headed to the GOTL Brewing Company for refreshments. This lakefront establishment offered a splendid view of a very serene Lake Erie, a substantial menu and a well rounded craft beer selection.

The Lodge and Conference Center at Geneva offers a wide variety of amenities and quality service at an affordable price. From indoor and outdoor pools to a glass enclosed restaurant to full service banquet facilities, The Lodge can customize your stay, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. Here you’ll experience Lake Erie in style, with 109 guest rooms, complimentary high-speed internet, fitness center, game room, weekend wine shuttle, on-site activities, outdoor dining and much more.

Ohio Wines Uncorked is a special feature of the lodge. You let them do the driving so you can truly enjoy Ohio’s scenic wine country!

Ohio Wine Country is celebrated for skilled vintners, picturesque rolling countryside, and great “tastes”. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake’s Wine Shuttle runs year-round to offer guests a lively, and fun, guided introduction to the wealth of local wineries that comprise Northeast Ohio Wine Country.

Some of the wineries you may visit along their various routes are Chalet Debonné Vineyards, Ferrante Winery, Grand River Cellars, Harpersfield Vineyard, South River Vineyard, Kosicek Winery, M Cellars, The Winery at Spring Hill and more.

This escorted experience allows you to discover the exquisite vineyards and accompanying restaurants that exist solely to share the grape passion and Ohio wine experience with you.

Another treasure is Allison’s Mini Golf. It is the oldest miniature golf course in the U.S.; these 18 holes have been entertaining thousands of visitors since 1924. It is located on the center of the Geneva-on-the-Lake strip, at the corner of Golf Ave. and SR 531/Lake Ave.

The course followed a typical mini golf layout, but what caught my attention was the beautiful landscaping. A spectacular blending of color and texture was everywhere as perennial plants, ferns, ornamental grasses and lush foliage surrounded the course. I pictured the Ironton in Bloom group sponsoring a plant identification tour as they walked the course. After finishing the 18th hole, we stopped at the snack shack and complimented them on the grounds. Casually mentioning that I’d like to return in the fall to harvest seed pods, the counter gal Mary said she’d be glad to divide her plants and share them with me. I think I’ll take her up on the offer as fall is football, clambake and end of the season perennial plant sales time up here.

Ohio’s unique soils and climate along the Lake Erie shore support more than 100 wholesale nurseries, well worth a beautiful drive in rural countryside. Add in acres of grape vines and the colors of fall and this is one great top down drive.

One of my favorites is Bluestone Nursery. This is a family owned and operated business founded in 1972 by Richard Boonstra.

Located in Madison, close to Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio, Bluestone grows and ships its own plants nationwide from five acres of greenhouses. They have a nursery outlet store and the seasonal plant sale values are unbelievable.

If you’re looking for a throwback family friendly beach place head to GOTL. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. For more information contact http://visitgenevaonthelake.com.

Shop local! Dine local! Support your local Lawrence County small businesses.

Got travel? Email Steve Call at the travelprofessor@gmail.com or dial 740-550-9540