Getting Ready To Celebrate The Bicentennial Of Parma Township
We are heading into 2026 and looking to celebrate an important anniversary. Parma was designated as a township in 1826. By that time, the area then known as Greenbriar, had twenty households and were looking at self government. So on March 7th, 1826 a resolution was passed asking for the construction of a new township.
"On the petition of sundry inhabitants for a new township to be organized and erected comprising No. 6 in the 13th range. Ordered that said township No. 6 in the 13th range be set off and erected into a new township by the name of Parma, to be bounded by hte original lines of said township."
On that same day a public notice went out to all qualified electors by the current county commissioners. A meeting was held at the home of Samuel Freeman on April 3, 1826 to elect eleven township officers to lead the newly formed township government. Mr. Freeman had arrived in the area from Massachusetts with his wife and ten children in 1825. He became the first justice of the peace, the first postmaster and the first school teacher.
Asa Emerson, Samuel Varney, David Adams and Pelatiah Bliss were elected township trustees. Benejah Fay and Jesse Nichols were elected as Overseers of the poor. John Hodgeman and Benjamin Norton as fence viewers. Fence viewers resolved property line disputes or livestock disputes. Asher Norton and Amos Hodgeman as Supervisors of Highways and Peter Countryman as the Constable.
This was the first step toward Parma becoming the city we know today. Population growth, self government and making those steps toward becoming a welcoming place for current residents and new immigrants. Churches, schools and roads soon followed allowing more growth. Parma would be incorporated into a village in 1924 and finally as a city in 1931.
The Historical Society is busy planning activities for 2026 to not only celebrate the 200th anniversary of Parma Township but also America's 250th. We would love to have Parma citizens celebrate with us so please be on the lookout for more information on our website and social media pages. The Historical society is a valuable resource and we are always available to assist residents with their historical questions and interests. Please contact us at pahshistorian@gmail.com.
Pat Nickols
PAHS Historian
Patricia Nickols
I am the historian/curator for the Parma Area Historical Society. I am employed as a Clinical Administrative Asst at University Hospitals. I am married with four grown children and have lived in Parma since 1989