Group Will Provide Proof Avon Lake's Bicentennial Year is 2019

Just how old Avon Lake is, and whether a bicentennial celebration is in order for 2012 or 2019 will be discussed at tonight's city council meeting.

John Shondel, the chairman of the Avon Lake Historical Preservation Commission will offer a presentation at the Nov. 7 council meeting supporting 2019 as the date the city was settled. He will list notable dates in Avon Lake history as well as when the area was considered permanently settled.

In October, the Commission voted 7-0 to support a 2019 bicentennial.

should be celebrated. Tony Abram, who heads the Avon lake Historical Society, said he supports 2012 as the official bicentennial year.

“Our society has authoritative proof that Avon Lake was founded in 1812 and a Bicentennial celebration is in order for 2012,” Abram wrote in a letter to city council members and

Abram’s wife, Nancy Nelson Abram, is the author of a historical book on Avon Lake. Abram feels the true bicentennial should reflect when the first founders, not when the first settlers arrived.

Nancy Nelson Abram, who authored Avon Lake: A Journey in Time, mentions in her book a Noah Davis lived near the Lake Erie shoreline from 1812-13.

“As for our area, which includes both Avon and Avon Lake at that time, it is reported in Lorain County records, 1812 is the settlement date and Noah Davis as the first settler,” Abram wrote, noting that the term “temporary settler” is used in many accounts.

Davis built a log cabin and the disappeared the next year. There is no record as to exactly what happened to Davis after 2013.

Tony Abram maintains that despite a 1969 sesquicentennial, the correct date is is 1812.

“They decided 30 years ago is was 2019,” Abram said. “We’re talking about the founding, not settling. Bay Village celebrated it’s bicentennial in 2010. You’re telling me (Avon Lake) wasn’t founded for another nine years? That’s crazy. (2012) is the year.

“All the history books say 2012. They can do what they want but that doesn’t change the history books,” Abram said. “For 30 years, have they been stupid?”

Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall's council chambers. The meeting will be broadcast live on ALC-TV.