CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS, originally part of NEWBURGH Twp. and later NEWBURGH HTS., is a 4.5 sq. mi. industrialized suburb established in 1918. It is located approx. 6 miles southeast of Cleveland and is bounded on the west by Cleveland, on the east by GARFIELD HTS., on the north by Newburgh Hts., and on the south by BROOKLYN HTS., INDEPENDENCE, and VALLEY VIEW.
In 1917 Newburgh Hts. experienced a building boom, farms were subdivided into residential lots, and citizens faced rising taxes. A group of farmers led by Jesse W. Hammersley discussed secession. Following an election, the village was established, leaving the residential area in Newburgh Hts. and the INDUSTRY and farms (see AGRICULTURE) in Cuyahoga Hts. The town attracted industries because of its strategic location on the CUYAHOGA RIVER, proximity to the NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD, WILLOW FREEWAY, and later the nearby interchange of I-77 and I-480, and abundance of natural resources including lumber, sand, and natural gas. Notable industrial firms included FERRO CORP., American Steel & Wire (see CHARTER STEEL), and later, U.S. STEEL CORP., REPUBLIC STEEL CORP., Ohio Crankshaft (see PARK-OHIO INDUSTRIES, INC.), Benjamin Moore Paint Co., Harris-Seybold-Potter Co., ALUMINUM CO. OF AMERICA, and E. F. HAUSERMAN.
In 1967 approx. 64 industries and 18 trucking and shipping firms were located in Cuyahoga Hts. At that time, many of its approximately 800 residents traced their lineage to ITALIANS and POLES who had settled there in the 1920s. In 1995 the city maintained over 175 businesses and industries, including Standard Oil Co. (Ohio) (see BP AMERICA) and RELIANCE ELECTRIC CO., which occupied over 2,000 acres. The population in 2010 was 638, and whites comprised approximately 97% of that number. Cuyahoga Hts. maintains a school system (which also serves Brooklyn Hts. and Valley View) and recreational facilities. In addition, the CanalWay Center provides a major access point along the Towpath Trail in the OHIO AND ERIE CANAL RESERVATION, which opened in 1999.
Updated by Mark Souther
Last updated: 5/11/2020
The Village of Cuyahoga Heights in the Bicentennial Year 1976-1977 (n.d.).
See also SUBURBS.