Paine Falls Park

ALERT: Paine Rd. in Leroy Twp. is closed just north of Carter Rd. To access Paine Falls Park, Indian Point Park upper lot, Blair Ridge Park, Blair Landing and Baker Road Park from the south, a suggested detour is to follow Carter Road (west) to Vrooman Road, head north to South Ridge Rd. (SR 84), east to Adams Rd., south to River Rd., and west to Blair Rd. Detour signs are posted. Access to these parks can still be made from the north via Blair Road.

ALERT: A section of Ford Rd. over Talcott Creek in Madison Twp. is closed. To access Blair Ridge Park, Blair Landing, Indian Point Park (upper lot) and Paine Falls Park via Ford Rd. from the east, follow River Rd. west to Blair Rd. and then head south.

Park History

Colonel Hendrick Paine, nephew of Edward Paine, founder of Painesville, moved his family from Parkman, Ohio, in 1818 to this little valley. It became known as “Paine’s Hollow.” Paine built a log cabin on the terrace on the north side of the valley.

With the planning and financial help of his son’s (Elazer A. Paine) father-in-law, Samuel Phelps, Paine carried out the industrial development of Paine’s Hollow. He first built a sawmill. In the years that followed, many other industries came to the Hollow. By 1840, valley businesses included an iron forge and furnace, a tannery, a shoemaker, a blacksmith shop and a wagon maker. An ashery was built to produce lye for soap and potash production. The area also included several houses and a school for local children.

By 1850, surrounding forests had been felled and prosperity began to decline. With the lumber supply gone and new technological advances, water power was no longer needed. The area fell to ruin and many of the settlers moved to neighboring cities. In 1974, the area was named Paine Falls and was dedicated as a park by Lake Metroparks.