Liverpool Township Historical Society
Who We Are
The primary purpose of the Historical Society is to advance public education of local history through collecting, cataloging, and preserving artifacts and folklore that is related to the history of Liverpool Township, Medina County, Ohio. The artifacts are housed in the township-owned Depot Museum at 6615 Center Road, Valley City, Ohio.
The Society was formed in conjunction with the 1976 nationwide celebration of America’s beginnings. We are all volunteers. Any person with an interest in the preservation and research of the history of Liverpool Township is welcome to become a member. Contact (330) 418-3707 for more information, or check them out on Facebook.
Are We Liverpool or Valley City?
WE ARE BOTH
Liverpool Township is our 5 mile by 5 mile area locally governed by 3 Trustees and 1 Fiscal Officer.
Valley City is our Post Office mailing address with all its delivery routes. Nearly the same area with exceptions at Township edges.
Liverpool, named after the Township, was the first Post Office address beginning in 1817. In 1910, confusion with East Liverpool in Columbiana, OH resulted in the name change to Valley City.
Original School House built in 1885
Photographed here are schoolchildren in front of the original schoolhouse that now sits on School Street in Valley City. The schoolhouse was located at what was called Frank’s Corners, hence being given the name Frank’s Corners School. The schoolhouse would have been south of Center Road, on Station Road.
The photograph was taken about 1903, and the teacher then would have been Bertha Strosacker.
The Railroad
By 1895 Cleveland steel makers needed a direct rail line bringing huge amounts of coal from West Virginia and southeastern Ohio mines. The Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling (CL&W) rail company obliged by connecting from an existing line through Lester that already fed coal to Lorain. A right of way was selected, property owners signed deeds allowing track to be laid, and the line was built. A market for passenger, mail and freight traffic also existed. Depots at Liverpool and several other locations were added for this purpose. Railroad ownership changed a few times with the current owner being CSX Transportation.
Pictured: EARLY 1900’S LOAD OF COAL LEAVING LIVERPOOL STATION FOR CLEVELAND.
The Depot
The Liverpool Station depot was built in 1895 on the NW corner of the tracks which cross Center Rd yet today. Its bay window faced the track. The agent looked straight down the north or south track for first sight of the oncoming locomotive. Tons of coal to fuel local furnaces, building supplies, freight of every kind were unloaded to helped Medina County grow. Dairy farmers, having no refrigeration, safely shipped fresh milk to Cleveland.
A slab sidewalk from Lester Rd to the depot along the north side of Center Rd encouraged foot traffic. Passengers purchased tickets north or south via a passthrough window between the waiting and agent rooms. Residents now commuted to Cleveland in an hour instead of a day to walk or two by team and wagon. From there connections were available to nearly all over the country. Business men came from Cleveland and often stayed overnight in a residential hotel.
The depot closed about 1966. By 1976 Liverpool leaders bought and moved it to its present site. Restrooms were added, renovations took place and the dedication ceremony on July 4, 1976, celebrated our country’s bicentennial. It became a meeting room for township Trustees and civic organizations. Later these organizations met elsewhere. But the Liverpool Township Historical Society continues to meet there amid the growing supply of archives. The railroad changed life in Liverpool.
Featured Events
August 31st
Movie in the Park
Bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets and watch a family movie under the stars at Mill Stream Park for free. Sponsored by Tailor Welded Blanks, presented by the Valley City Community Group.
October 31st
Halloween
The Valley City Fire Department Association host a parade and costume contest on Halloween night at 6:30. Parade starts at the Depot and ends at the Fire Station where the contest winners are announced and snacks and beverages are provided.
December 7th and 8th
Christmas in the Valley
Presented by the Valley City Community Group, begins with a holiday evening Sing-a-long on Saturday night. On Sunday, we’ll close Rt.303 for a fun filled day including; a Chili cookoff; Kid Zone; Kids Scavenger Hunt; Holiday Market with many vendors; North Pole Parlor; the Firehouse where there will be a basket raffle, 50/50 raffle and a beer tent; a parade featuring Santa and so much more.