01/09/2026
As we begin our celebration of the beginning of Parma we thought we would share some historical facts, photos and tidbits with you throughout the year. When Stearns Homestead opens for the season the Parma Area Historical Society will be offering some anniversary activities so we hope you will join us for that.
If you have stories or items to share about your journey to Parma or your families history here we want to hear them ! Please share on our pages or come up to the farm and talk with us.
Parma was part of the Connecticut Western Reserve and is one of the youngest townships and covers an area of 5 square miles. In the 1800's it was referred to as township 6 range 13. This land was originally sold to five men- Tuckerman, Cheney, Ely, Blake and Plympton. On early maps you will see sections referred to as the Blake tract or the Tuckerman tract. Stearns Homestead is in the Ely tract. These enterprising men sold their land off to other early settlers as they arrived.
Until 1816, Parma was part of Brooklyn township and was referred to as Greenbriar because of the prevalence of a pesky shrub.
So what made these settlers break off and want their own township ? Well we have limited information but we do know they wanted the freedom to govern themselves and create the settlement of their choosing. By 1826 the population was still sparse, maybe 20 people, Most were family or friends. Many having traveled to the area together from eastern states. But they wanted to govern themselves so they petitioned the county in March of 1826 to be allowed to break of and create a new township...called Parma
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