Stow and Munroe Falls

The communities of Stow and Munroe Falls were settled as part of the Connecticut Western Reserve lands laid out in townships in what is now Northeast Ohio. Named after Joshua Stow of Connecticut, Stow Township consisted of rolling hills, dales, and lakes, with the Cuyahoga River running through the southwest corner. The first large party of pioneers arrived in Stow Township in 1804 with William Wetmore. A second group arrived with William Stow (cousin of Joshua) in 1809. By the end of the 19th century, the citizens of Stow and Munroe Falls had turned the wilderness into two villages with schools, churches, businesses, and social activities. The collection of images in this book showcases the connection between the two communities as they grew from rural villages to cities entering the 21st century.