Communities of the District

The Eleventh District of Ohio is comprised of  twenty-three diverse municipalities in Northeast Cuyahoga County working together for progress, economic stability, and a brighter future. Rep. Fudge encourages residents and visitors alike to learn about the broad cross-section of cities, villages and communities that create the fabric of her district:

• City of Beachwood
• City of Bedford
• City of Bedford Heights
• Village of Bratenahl
• City of Cleveland
• City of Cleveland Heights
• City of East Cleveland
• City of Euclid
• City of Garfield Heights
• Village of Highland Hills
• City of Lyndhurst
• City of Maple Heights
• City of Mayfield Heights
• Village of North Randall
• Village of Oakwood
• Village of Orange
• City of Pepper Pike
• City of Richmond Heights
• City of Shaker Heights
• City of South Euclid
• City of University Heights
• City of Warrensville Heights
• Village of Woodmere

Beachwood Village was first chartered in 1915, when merchants, tradesmen, and farmers incorporated the new village of 151 residents. Progressive growth has been a proud part of Beachwood's long history. Beachwood became a city in 1960 and today has a population of more than 12,000. There are more than 2,900 homes and 2,500 apartments in the city with commercial areas along Richmond and Mayfield Roads and Chagrin Boulevard.

Bedford was named by Daniel Benedict after his home town in Connecticut.. Early settlers were attracted by the large water fall and became the site of the first grist mill. As trade and commerce developed, Bedford became an important stop for travelers between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. One fifth of Bedford's land is part of the Bedford Reservation of the Cleveland Metro Parks, where you will find the famous Tinker's Creek Gorge. Bedford’s rich and well-documented history are evidenced by its historic landmark buildings, Public Square, and Historic District.  

The early history of Bedford Heights. corresponds with that of Bedford, which had been a largely agricultural area with many dairy farms. It has since developed to include a strong industrial base made up of over 500 businesses. In 1966 Mrs. Lucille Reed was elected one of the first women mayors in Cuyahoga County; a park and recreation area were named in her honor. The Bedford Reservation, part of the Cleveland Metroparks, is located in part in Bedford Hts.

Brahtenahl was first incorporated as a village in 1903. It is a residential lakefront community surrounded by the City of Cleveland.  The city is named after an early land owner named Charles Brahtenahl. A diverse community today, some of Bratenahl's 1,337 residents lived in modest homes along side streets while others live in lakefront mansions.  

The City of Cleveland is one of the largest cities in the Midwest and has played an influential role in American and world cultural life. Incorporated in 1822, Cleveland grew to become the center of American industry and attracted new residents from across the USA and the world.  Today, the city of 478,000 is a world leader in healthcare, manufacturing, education and bio-technology. Cleveland is also  home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, numerous acclaimed universities and museums, and the Cleveland Clinic.

Cleveland Heights was incorporated as a city in 1921. Close to downtown, the city developed into a streetcar suburb that boasted a mostly residential population.  Today, Cleveland Heights is a diverse, progressive, vital suburb of about 50,000 residents. Local attractions include Coventry Village, Cain Park and Severance Town Center.

East Cleveland incorporated in 1911 as a residential city located about 7 miles from downtown Cleveland. The charter adopted in 1916 provided for women's suffrage in municipal elections--then the only such franchise east of Chicago. Hometown to John D. Rockefeller, the world's first billionaire, East Cleveland has a rich history dating back to its incorporation as Cleveland's first suburb.

Euclid was incorporated as a city in 1930.  In the 19th century, the area was largely agricultural. Over 200 acres were given over to vineyards in the 1880s. However, the area's flat landscape and location on major rail lines made it a prime area for industrial expansion. Much of this occurred during and after World War II. By the 1980's Euclid was home to over 140 separate industrial firms.  As a result, Euclid became a center of engineering and invention, producing the first arc light, the Thompson submachine gun and the cordless telephone. The city is also home to the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame as well as the Softball Museum.

Garfield Heights was incorporated as a city in 1930. Today, the city of about 30,000 is home to major employers such as Marymount Hospital and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The city is also home to the 750-seat Matousek Center for Performing Arts.

Highland Hills Village was created out of Warrensville Township in 1990 and is the youngest municipality in the Eleventh District. The township was first established in 1816 and named for an early settler, Daniel Warren. The village's population is about 1,600.

Lyndhurst was originally incorporated as the village of Euclidville in 1917. It was renamed Lyndhurst in 1920 and incorporated as a city in 1951. The name, chosen in a high school contest, was taken from Lyndhurst, NJ. The city of about 15,000 is mostly residential and  home to substantial recreational facilities, including 2 swimming pools, 3 tennis courts, 1 public and 2 private golf courses, and 2 major park systems totaling 43.5 acres.

Maple Heights was incorporated as a city in 1932. It is a 5 square mile residential and industrial community that's named for its many maple trees. It had a population of 1,000 upon incorporation, but the city expanded industrially in manufacturing, steel and food production and  warehousing.  Today, the city of about 26,000 is mostly residential with several retail centers.

Mayfield Heights was incorporated as a city in 1950. The mostly residential community has high amounts of retail space along its major corridor, Mayfield road.  With a population of about 19,000, this community  is home to a vibrant school system and many recreational facilities.

North Randall was first incorporated in 1908 when the Randall Park Race Track opened; it soon gained a national reputation. Soon thereafter, the village found its major industry to be the breeding and training of trotting horses. As the demand for organized horseracing increased, the Thistledown Race Track opened in North Randall. The track's reputation grew, and it became home to the Ohio Derby, a major race held every June. Today, it's a community of about 1,000 people.

Oakwood is one of the smaller communities in Cuyahoga County and was first incorporated in 1951. The Oakwood Boosters Club was formed in 1951 with the purpose of assisting the local government and to encourage citizen interest in local affairs and was instrumental to the city in its early years after its formation. The Boosters provided necessary funding to purchase Village Hall along with the first police car radio, and Ordinance books.

Orange was first incorporated in 1928 was named in honor of the Connecticut hometown of several early settlers. Today, it's population is about 3,200 and is served by Orange City School System, one of the most acclaimed in the state.

Pepper Pike was incorporated in 1970. The origin of Pepper Pike’s name remains uncertain, with some maintaining that it was named after an early settler and others insisting it derived from the pepper trees once found  there. The area developed during the first 100 years primarily as a farming community and by the late 1880s, cheesemaking had become the primary industry. Although still rural at the turn of the century, the Chagrin Falls-Cleveland interurban railway made the community accessible to the city. Today, the city has a population of about 6,000 and is home to Ursuline College. 

The city originally called Claribel became Richmond Heights in 1918 and incorporated as a city in 1960. Principally a farming community, its first major industry was provided by a series of charcoal pits that provided fuel for the growing iron industry in Cleveland. The primarily resident city of about 12,000 is home to  Richmond Heights General Hospital, the Cuyahoga County Airport, the Hillcrest Square Shopping Center and the Richmond Mall.

Shaker Heights was incorporated as a city in 1931.  The name was derived from the North Union Community of Shakers that settled there in the 1820's. The city's first major growth occurred in the 1920's, after the construction of the Shaker Heights Rapid Transit Line line to downtown Cleveland. The hometown of actor Paul Newman and musician Gerald Levert
has since provided a city model in transportation, education, government, housing, recreation, and landscaping.

South Euclid was first incorporated  in 1917. During the 19th century, farming was the predominant occupation, with a scattering of small businesses that served the farming community. In 1867 a stone quarry was built along Euclid Creek, providing the area with its first and best-known industry.  Major growth in residents and industry occurred after World War II. The city is the home to Notre Dame College Of Ohio along with a variety of parochial and  public schools and a wealth of recreational facilities.

University Heights was first incorporated as Idlewood Village in 1908. It adopted its present name in 1925 when John Carroll University moved there.  During the 19th century, the township's primary occupation was farming. Around World War I, farming gave way to residential growth that gave  the city its approximate 14,000 residents today.

Warrensville Heights was first in 1927.  The township was named after one of its earliest settlers, Daniel Warren. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, the village was recognized as the "Geranium Center of the U.S." The 1980's gave rise to industrial growth of approximately100 light commercial and industrial concerns engaging primarily in the fabrication of metal alloys, chemical and oil derivatives, plastics, electronics, and food services. Today, the city's population is about 15,000.

Woodmere was first incorporated in 1944 and is a small and integrated community of about 800 people of diverse nationalities. The village's residents include older citizens, newer homeowners, and apartment dwellers.

Sources -- Western Reserve Historical Society, Bedford Historical Society, and municipal Web sites.