Avon in Lorain County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Norton S. Townshend, M.D.

(1815-1895)

Photographed by Christopher Light, February 16, 2008

1. Norton S. Townshend, M.D. Marker

Inscription. A progressive farmer, physician, and legislator, Norton S. Townshend lived in Avon from 1830 until his death. His introduction of field drainage tile significantly increased the productivity of Avon farmland. A well-educated country doctor, he served this district as a U.S. congressman (1851-1853) and later as an Ohio state senator. As a legislator Townshend, a member of the antislavery "Free Soil" Party, espoused civil rights for women and free blacks. Later he was instrumental in the founding of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College in Columbus, serving on the first board and as its first professor of agriculture. In 1878, this land-grant college became Ohio State University, where Townshend Hall stands in honor of his founding role. He is interred in Avon's mound cemetery.

Erected 2001 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, The Avon Historical Society, The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 6-47.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Agriculture • Civil Rights • Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

41° 27.086′ N, 82° 2.116′ W. Marker is in Avon, Ohio, in Lorain County. It is at the intersection of Detroit Road (Ohio Route 254) and Stoney Ridge/Colorado ( Route 611) on Detroit Road. The marker is located west of the Gazebo in Heritage Park on the southwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Avon OH 44011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland,

on the Lake Erie Shore,

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Timeline of Dr. Norton S. Townshend (here, next to this marker); Lorain County Community College (approx. 3.3 miles away); Burrell Homestead (approx. 3.6 miles away); Valley Of The Giants (approx. 3.6 miles away); Theodore Elijah Burton / Dover Farm (approx. 3.7 miles away); Beach Park Station (approx. 3.7 miles away); Black River Bridgeway Trail (approx. 3.7 miles away); Peter J. Miller House / Adam Miller & Family (approx. 3.7 miles away).

Heritage Park and Marker, (at Detroit Rd at Stoney Ridge Rd) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Light, February 16, 2008

2. Heritage Park and Marker, (at Detroit Rd at Stoney Ridge Rd)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, May 21, 2016

3. Norton S. Townshend, M.D. Marker

Mound Cemetery (Burial place of Dr. Towshend) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Light, February 16, 2008

4. Mound Cemetery (Burial place of Dr. Towshend)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,678 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 19, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 2. submitted on February 20, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 3. submitted on February 12, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on February 20, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.