Virtual Walking Tour

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Part of the 120-mile "Western Reserve" area of northeast Ohio, Hudson was founded in 1799 by Connecticut pioneers David Hudson, Birdsey and Nathaniel Norton, Theodore Parmelee, Stephen Baldwin, and Benjamin Oviatt. Another influential settler, Owen Brown, was father to controversial abolitionist John Brown, who lived here as well. Hudson played an important role in the slavery debate and the Underground Railroad.

Western Reserve College was founded here in 1826; eventually, it moved to Cleveland to become Case Western Reserve University, but the prep school Western Reserve Academy continues to educate students from around the globe. A devastating fire consumed many North Main Street businesses in 1892, and most of the buildings you will see in that block were built shortly thereafter. Further improvements resulted from the efforts of industrialist James Ellsworth to make Hudson a model town; his final gift was our clocktower.

With two National Historic Register districts, Hudson continues to preserve its history and charm while keeping pace as a great place to live or visit. We hope you enjoy this tour of a few of our historic locations.

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