Parma in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Parma's Birthplace

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2021

1. Parma's Birthplace Marker

Inscription. With the War of 1812 over, Benajah and Ruth Wilcox Fay and their ten children left Lewis County, New York for the state of Ohio. Like many, they were attracted to Ohio by the inexpensive, fertile land. Settling in Township 6, Range 13 of the Blake Tract of the Western Reserve, they represented the first settlers of Greenbriar, named Parma on March 7, 1826. The Fay family cleared their new land, including what later became Theota Avenue, and then built a log cabin. Located on the wagon trail connecting Cleveland and Columbus, the cabin grew into the well-known Benajah Fay Inn, Parma's first business establishment. This historical marker is the site where the city of Parma was born.

Erected 2009 by The Parma Community/Business/School Partnership; Joseph J. Jacubic American Legion Post 572; Parma Education Association; and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 91-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 7, 1826.

Location. 41° 24.77′ N, 81° 44.061′ W. Marker

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is in Parma, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. Marker is on Ridge Road (Ohio Route 3) just south of Pearl Road (U.S. 42), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cleveland OH 44129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. George Washington (approx. 1.9 miles away); First Brick Rural Road in United States (approx. 2 miles away); Pearl Street Savings & Trust Building (approx. 2½ miles away); Old Brooklyn (approx. 2½ miles away); The Stearns Homestead (approx. 2.6 miles away); Brookside Stadium (approx. 2.8 miles away); The West Park African American Community (approx. 3 miles away); Brooklyn Heights (approx. 3.2 miles away).

Also see . . . Parma, Ohio (Wikipedia). Benajah Fay, his wife Ruth Wilcox Fay, and their ten children, were the first settlers in 1816. Self-government started to gain in popularity by the time the new Greenbriar settlement contained twenty householders. However, prior to the establishment of the new township, the name Greenbriar was replaced by the name Parma. This was largely due to Dr. David Long who had recently returned from Italy and "impressed with the grandeur and beauty... was reminded of Parma, Italy and... persuaded the early townspeople that the territory deserved a better name than Greenbriar." (Submitted on June 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 20, 2021

2. Parma's Birthplace Marker

(looking north along Ridge Road • Pearl Road intersection in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 434 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.