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.
About the Author :
Stow and Munroe Falls features historical photographs from the collections of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Munroe Falls Historical Society, Stow Historical Society, local historian Fred Long, and several individuals. Author Beth Daugherty, Local History Librarian at Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, compiled the photographs featuring an overview of some of the unique people, places, and events that shaped the histories of Stow and Munroe Falls.
Review :
Title: New book highlights historical details in Stow, Munroe Falls Author: Pamela Engel
Publisher: Record-Courier
Date: 8/29/2010
A book featuring historic images of Stow and Munroe Falls, written by a local librarian, will hit the shelves Sept. 6 at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, and both the Stow and Munroe Falls historical societies.
Beth Daugherty, local history librarian at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, wrote the captions and compiled the pictures.
The book includes more than 200 images and captions from throughout the history of Stow and Munroe Falls, and is broken down into six chapters -- early days; unique people and special places; school days; neighborhood clubs and organizations; worshipping, shopping and doing business; and two communities looking toward the future.
"It was difficult to decide on which photographs to use because we had such a variety of them," Daugherty said. "I wanted to show a variety of people and activities throughout the history of the community."
Daugherty said the photos came from the library's own collection as well as both historical societies and local historian Fred Long.
The book is part of a popular series called "Images of America," released by Arcadia Publishing, "the leading local history publisher in the United States," according to the company's website.
Daugherty said Arcadia approached her during the summer of 2009 to produce the book.
Daugherty said she learned a lot about Stow and Munroe Falls history while producing the book, and hopes people will come to appreciate the community's history more after reading the book.
"I want (people to take away) an appreciation for people who came before us, what they went through to accomplish their goals," she said. "And realize what (those people) did to make our communities what they are today."
Some samples of what is contained in the book include these captions that accompany the photos.
* "World War I soldier Roger Moore was born in Munroe Falls to Henry and Martha Moore. Henry and Martha had the largest family in Munroe Falls, with 21 children. Roger was a casualty of World War I and was buried at age 23 in Stow Cemetery in 1918."
* "Doree Ernst was crowned Stow High School's Homecoming Queen at the pregame ceremonies before the Stow-Coventry football game on Nov. 9, 1946. ... Senior Charles Ross was named "Football King." Ross and Ernst were in the class of 1947."
* "Stow Mayor Roger Howard is seated at his desk in this November 1964 photograph. Howard was Stow's second mayor, defeating incumbent Charles H. Montieth. Howard served from 1963 until 1975, when he accepted a position with the state of Ohio. City Council president Donald A. Powell then became acting mayor until Paul Hutchison was elected in 1976. Howard is remembered as being very active in bringing Stow from a sleepy, rural community to an up-to-date, modern city."
