Since the late 1800s, the John Smart home has seen many residents and families come and go over the years since its construction. The building of the house began in early 1886, but was not finished until 1887 when John and his family of four moved in. Being a Victorian Queen Anne style home, the Smart residence fit right into the nature of Medina County, as this was a very popular design at the time.
The Medina County Courthouse stands tall and proud on the east side of Medina's public square directly across from the historic Uptown Park. With contracting and construction of the building dating all the way back to 1840, the building you see today isn't exactly identical to the original. However, the character and prominence remains as it represents the centerpiece of local government in Medina County. The courthouse has gone through numerous remodeling phases in its extensive lifetime and yet it remains fully intact and in full use. This historic landmark is now officially recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Enclosed by a number of Victorian style buildings sits Medina's historic Uptown Park, also known as the Medina Public Square. This amazing historic site offers a visual time capsule from the early days of what was once a small village. Constantly bustling with people, the square represents the pinnacle of social life, while also maintaining beauty and all the comforts of home. Medina Public Square has a history like no other, and what you see today represents the efforts of generations of people who came together to conserve this landmark. Within the park, you can see the beautiful gazebo, a WWII cannon, and multiple historic and memorial benches.
In response to a third major fire in the small town of Medina, which significantly damaged three buildings, the founding of the first organized hook and ladder company (or fire department) of Medina began in 1877. The building that served as the fire house until the early 1950s also served as the local Town Hall and was completed a mere one year after the fire. The bright red building you see today holds a community museum on the first floor highlighting the extended history of the fire department in Medina.
The Medina County District Library has a rich history which dates all the way back to 1877. A small group of local residents formed the Medina Circulating Library Association in which books were exchanged from one person to another. The library moved all over Medina and ended up at its current location, 210 S Broadway, in 1905.. Through various renovations, remodels, and expansions, the library you see today doesn't quite look the same as the one Franklin Sylvester built in 1905-1907.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This short walk through Medina includes several of the buildings within the town's historic district and concludes at the John Smart House which is home to the local history museum.
