History:
The first land clearing in the Amherst
area was by Jacob Shupe in 1811. Shupe built a log cabin in this
clearing, which is next to a stream he later named Beaver Creek. This original
settlement was on a hill near what is now Cooper
Foster Park Road.
He brought with him a carpenter from Pennsylvania
and together they built the first sawmill in LorainCounty, as Shupe knew there would
be a great need for lumber as settlers arrived. With lumber from his new
sawmill, Shupe built the first frame house in this area and it still stands
today. Amherst was known by
many names during those founding years - one of which was the Corners.
Jonas Stratton, a cabinetmaker who came from Amherst,
New Hampshire in 1819, started a cabinet
shop at the Corners and gave the name of Amherst
to the township.
Among the first commercial establishments were a gristmill,
saw mill and several quarries. Underlying Amherst were
extensive layers of sandstone, a legacy from earlier geologic times. This
sandstone was responsible for much of the growth of the town for some years.
The quarry industry brought the railroad to our city and
stimulated the shipping industry on Lake Erie.
With their development many Swiss immigrated and added to the large numbers of
German settlers already established. The sandstone quarries produced a
fine grade of stone used in many major buildings in Ohio
and Canada.
Now, a growing city of an estimated 12,000 people, Amherst
offers an alternative to suburban and urban living by retaining small town friendliness
complete with commerce and industry, excellent schools, hospitals, churches,
parks, service clubs and other amenities that enhance the quality of life.
Most of the homes in the city are single family dwellings,
although duplexes, apartments, multi-family units and garden apartments may be
found. More than a dozen new home developments have been built within the
city in the last ten years, and more are under construction currently.
The city has many older homes and buildings, several of which
are on the National Register of Historical Places. Most of these homes
are located on Cleveland Avenue,
Park Avenue, or downtown.