Main Street Medina
  • Home/About Us
    • About Us
    • Contacts Us, and Board & Staff
    • Volunteer
    • Medina History
    • South Town District
  • Business Guides
    • Shops & Boutiques
    • Eat & Drink
    • Attractions & Accomodations
    • Professional Services & Community Partners
    • Sunday Hours to Shop, Dine, Unwind
    • Medina Bucks with Yiftee
  • Special Events
    • Medina Square Farmers Market
    • Kids Day of Safety & Play
    • 1st Friday Medina
    • Ladies Night Out
    • South Town Cruise-Ins
    • Medina Fest 2021
    • Medina County Pizza Palooza
    • Medina Events Calendar
  • Membership/Donations
    • Members and Supporters of MSM
    • Make a gift to Main Street Medina
    • 2020 Medina Holiday Ornament
    • ICARE
  • Public Parking Map
  • McDowell-Phillips House Docuseries
  • 2021 Visitor's Guide
  • Medina Minute (Videos)
  • Renew Medina
    • Renew Medina Gallery
    • Renew Medina Project
    • renew medina as purchased
  • 2021 Visitors Guide
Historic Medina's Proud Heritage

Medina is a community proud of its heritage. The Public Square and the buildings in the historic district surrounding the uptown park have been recognized as the physical, symbolic, commercial, governmental, cultural and social center of Medina since its founding nearly two centuries ago. Today, the city’s historic center defines the image of the community. Beloved by Medina’s residents, Public Square is a source of tremendous pride and it is often cited as a key reason why people choose to live in Medina.
 
Founded in 1818, one of the first things Medina’s earliest settlers did was to clear away the huge trees and create a public park, or, as it was called in their native New England, a Town Commons or Village Green. Business and residential buildings quickly sprang up along the four streets surrounding the park. The community received a grant of land on the condition it become the county seat for Medina County. In 1821, a fine brick building was built to house the county courts. It remains today, serving a thriving business on Public Square.
 
Incorporated as a village in the 1830’s, Medina  and the surrounding county grew rapidly. By 1841, a larger courthouse was needed and one was constructed on the northeast side of Public Square. While hidden beneath later expansions, the 1841 courthouse still remains as a vital part of Medina’s uptown life today. Other county, city and federal government buildings grace the area as well as historic churches, theaters and a magnificent public library building.
 
The Public Square we recognize today was created from tragedy. On the night of April 14, 1870, fire destroyed dozens of wooden buildings in Public Square and down South Court Street. City leaders met the next morning on the steps of the courthouse and made plans to rebuild Medina. Over the following decade, a new commercial heart, this time built of brick, rose building by building from the ashes of the past. These Victorian era commercial buildings and those that came soon after give Medina’s uptown its unique historic character.

 As a crossroads of four state highways and two rail lines, Medina continued to grow in the 1900’s. By 1950, the village’s population had increased to the point where Medina could become a city. Residents adopted a charter and Medina officially became a city in 1954.

Postwar growth was in full swing and many uptown businesses and property owners were “modernizing” their buildings. By the late 1960’s the grand Victorian buildings of the 1800’s were buried beneath false fronts, boarded in windows, garish signs and all manner of unbecoming fake architectural additions. Medina’s historic charm was lost but it was waiting to be rediscovered.

In 1967, a group of Medina citizens concerned about the loss of character of the uptown area began a grassroots effort to return Public Square to its historic appearance. They formed the Community Design Committee (CDC). Working with local businesses and property owners, the CDC guided the preservation of our uptown architecture resulting in the restoration of our historic structures and the economic revitalization of Medina’s Public Square.

Today, the restored Public Square is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It and the surrounding historic district remain the heart
of the community. In the summer, Friday night band concerts are enjoyed in the Public Square Park as they have been since 1859. Throughout the year, a wide variety of activities, businesses and restaurants invite residents and visitors alike to experience Medina’s Public Square excitement and charm.

Main Street Medina is at the center of this activity and we welcome you to our historic community.

Medina Walking Tour

Medina Historic District Walking Tour 2018
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File Type: pdf
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Medina Bicentennial, 1818-2018

learn more about the fascinating history of Medina, Ohio, from it's founding in 1818 and its growth into a small city in 2018.
Here's a link to articles written about our rich history in celebration of our Bicentennial.
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Main Street Medina Signature Events

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LADIES NIGHT OUT
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Main Street Medina Location:
39 Public Square, Suite 305
​Medina, Ohio 44256
330.722.6186

There's something special about Medina

Historic Medina, Ohio is America's Hometown. Conveniently located just 30 miles South of Cleveland, 20 miles West of Akron. Visit us soon to experience unique shopping, fantastic dining, one-of-a-kind signature events, fascinating history and wonderful nostalgia.  
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Social Media Engagement

  • Home/About Us
    • About Us
    • Contacts Us, and Board & Staff
    • Volunteer
    • Medina History
    • South Town District
  • Business Guides
    • Shops & Boutiques
    • Eat & Drink
    • Attractions & Accomodations
    • Professional Services & Community Partners
    • Sunday Hours to Shop, Dine, Unwind
    • Medina Bucks with Yiftee
  • Special Events
    • Medina Square Farmers Market
    • Kids Day of Safety & Play
    • 1st Friday Medina
    • Ladies Night Out
    • South Town Cruise-Ins
    • Medina Fest 2021
    • Medina County Pizza Palooza
    • Medina Events Calendar
  • Membership/Donations
    • Members and Supporters of MSM
    • Make a gift to Main Street Medina
    • 2020 Medina Holiday Ornament
    • ICARE
  • Public Parking Map
  • McDowell-Phillips House Docuseries
  • 2021 Visitor's Guide
  • Medina Minute (Videos)
  • Renew Medina
    • Renew Medina Gallery
    • Renew Medina Project
    • renew medina as purchased
  • 2021 Visitors Guide