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Dear Neighbors and Friends, In the late 1950’s to the late 1960’s, Aurora, Ohio was a small village. Surrounded by farm lands, there was a country feeling about the town. There were 2 grocery stores, 1 pharmacy, 3 gas stations and 1 hardware store servicing the people. Brown’s Grocery Store and Ric Matmuller’s Aurora Pharmacy were located in the Bowen Block on Route 82 and Hackbart’s Grocery Store was located at the present site of Chet Edward’s store on Route 43. The Mantua Grain, at its present location on Route 43, serviced the farm community and also the hardware needs of Aurora’s citizens. Bradley’s Furniture Store on Route 82 and Calico Corners on Route 43 provided furniture and household items. Every Wednesday, a household auction would take place at what is now the Aurora Highlands Premium Outlet Center on Route 43. Local farmers and Amish people would bring their cheeses, jams, baked goods, sausages, fruits and vegetables to sell. A large flea market was a part of the scene. Aurora’s families and people from surrounding towns would visit, hoping to find a treasure. It was a Wednesday gathering place for all. At that time, the Aurora Schools were neighborhood schools; Miller School housed children in grades 1 to 4 from the Fours Seasons area, Lake School housed elementary students from the Geauga Lake area and the remaining elementary students attended the Village School which is now known as Thomas Craddock Elementary School. Kindergarten was not mandatory and the classes were held in local churches. Middle School and High School students attended school at the 2 story Village School building until 1966 when the high school was constructed. In comparison to today’s graduating classes, the high school class of 1957 had 22 graduates. Children who lived within a mile of their school walked to school, walked home for lunch and returned for the afternoon session. The school year did not begin until after Labor Day and ended Memorial Day weekend. The Church in Aurora, established in 1809, met the spiritual needs of the Protestant population. The present architectural landmark, built in 1872, replaced the original red brick structure. The active Mennonite congregation met in their present church on the corner of Mennonite Rd. and Rte. 43. Our Lady of Perpetual Help began as a Mission Church. In 1964, many houses were being moved because of highway construction; the house now known as Oliver Hall was moved from St. Rita’s parish in Solon to the corner of Rte. 43 and the Hudson-Aurora Road for Catholic worship. Most of the area’s golfers belonged to the Aurora Country Club, privately owned by the Padach family. The Cleveland Open held in 1967 highlighted the difficulty of the golf course. Local duffers were encouraged by witnessing Arnie Palmer score a 6 on the par 3, third hole. The country club and the Aurora Inn coordinated a package deal which attracted tourists planning a mini vacation. The Aurora Inn, rebuilt after the original historical structure burned down, was the social center of Aurora. Families congregated at the pools, summer and winter. Local clubs and business groups used the Inn for meetings. The Kiwanis Ball, the big Christmas event of each year was attended by everyone. The charm of the Inn and the fine dining at the Inn’s restaurant attracted people from great distances. It was in this town setting that Richard Shaw began his fine home development named the Aurora Highlands. Ben Shaw, a well-respected Shaker Heights builder, moved to Aurora with his wife Stella and their family. Ben continued his construction business in Aurora and many of the outstanding village homes are representative of his work. His son, Dick Shaw, learned his building skills by working with his father and he continued in the construction business after his father’s demise. James Rieger, a Shaw family friend, lived in a house built by Ben Shaw at the south east corner of Pioneer Trail and New Hudson Road. Jim Rieger also owned the tract of land south of Pioneer Trail. He opened it for development, naming the first street, Ben Shaw Road; a tribute to his deceased good friend. Dick Shaw, son of his friend, was a young builder who envisioned creating an area of fine Western Reserve style homes on this land. Jim Rieger encouraged Dick in his plans by agreeing to accept payment for the lots as each completed home sold. Dick then hired George Howard Burrows, the accomplished Shaker Square architect, to design homes for his development. He built the first home in the area for his brother Chuck and his family at 369 New Hudson Road. It was the beginning of what is now the Aurora Highlands area. The timing of Dick Shaw’s development could not have been better. The country’s economy was good, companies were moving employees, people were moving out of Cleveland; the suburban sprawl had momentum. Aurora’s proximity to Cleveland attracted many professionals and career-minded individuals. The Erie Lackawanna’s daily train service to Cleveland as well as the accessibility of the turnpike and the airport factored in the appeal to business people. Aurora’s growth began. In 1961, Blanton Collier and his wife, Forman, were moving to the Cleveland area. Blanton had been hired as an assistant coach to Paul Brown, owner and coach of the Cleveland Browns Football team. Blanton was returning to professional football after a successful career as the head coach of the University of Kentucky. The spec home Dick Shaw built on the north east corner of Ben Shaw Road and Willard Road appealed to the Colliers and was readily available. It was the first home sold in the Aurora Highlands. Blanton Collier’s residence in the Aurora Highlands precipitated the move to Aurora of many Cleveland Browns football players and personnel. Harold Sauerbrei, general manager of the Browns, purchased a Ben Shaw Road home in 1962. When Art Modell purchased the Browns in 1963, Blanton Collier became the Head Coach. Blanton Collier, a most genial gentleman, proved to be one of the most outstanding coaches in the history of the Browns. He led the Browns to a Championship in 1964 and a Division victory against Green Bay in 1965. The hoopla surrounding the winning team was contagious and Aurora celebrated the success of our hometown coach, players and personnel. |