This year, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our great nation, and although Ohio wasn’t admitted until 1803, Mentor’s roots were planted in the revolution.
The Ohio Territory was ceded to the United States as a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1793. In 1796, what was the Connecticut Western Reserve was surveyed by Moses Cleaveland’s team. The following year, a member of that team, Charles Parker, settled near what is today the intersection of Lakeshore Blvd. and Hopkins Rd. Other soon followed, including a handful of Revolutionary War veterans seeking a new life on the frontier.
MENTOR’S REVOLUTIONARY ROOTS
Beginning in the fall of 2024, we started to conduct research on the veterans who made Mentor their home or were laid to rest here.
They are:
- Benjamin Blish
- Garritt Brass
- Roger Craine
- Israel Fox
- John Reynolds
- Jacob Tyler
- Ebenezer Wilson
As a part of our America250 celebration, these veterans will have a day named in their honor and have his story told. Each will also be included in our Hometown Heroes banner program.
GARFIELD STATUE
We mark another milestone this 2026. This is the 150th anniversary of James A. Garfield’s purchase of the Dickey farm. He moved his family in fall of that year and immediately began renovations of the small farmhouse and 160 acres of land. Four years later, “Lawnfield” attracted over 17,000 curiosity seekers to our sleepy village as then Congressman Garfield conducted the very first “front porch campaign”.
This January, the city commissioned renowned artist Alan Cottrill of the Coopermill Bronzeworks located in Zanesville to produce a slightly-larger-than-life sculpture of Garfield which will be placed on Civic Center grounds and dedicated on the evening of Friday, July 3, 2026.
Cottrill has over 400 large-scale statues to his name including 19 U.S. presidents. His statue of Thomas Edison stands in the National Statuary Hall in Washington D.C.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
We’ll kick off our popular Independence Day celebration earlier than usual this year as we commemorate this milestone event with expanded programs and attractions throughout the afternoon.
Eagles tribute band Hotel California will take the stage to rock the crowd and close out the evening before a spectacular 25-minute fireworks finale.
We look forward to celebrating America’s rich history with an enduring spirit of hope and pride for our future.
Visit cityofmentor.com/events for updates and additional information as it becomes available.