Customer Reviews

The Western Reserve: The Story of New Connecticut in Ohio (Black Squirrel Books)

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Harlan Hatcher's intricate history of northern Ohio, encompasing the early days of the Connecticut Land Company in the closing decade of the eighteenth century to the industrial growth period of the early twentieth century, uses a combination of first person narrative and biographical anecdotes, as well as other primary documents, to support and enhance a story that is both informative and enjoyable. In his remarks in the foreward to this revised edition, George Knepper describes Hatcher as having "the novelist's touch," an ability to infuse the story "with the human interest that brings life and meaning to the factual account". Beginning with a piece of western wilderness territory just south of Lake Erie, reserved by Connecticut for itself out of the lands deeded to the federal government in 1786, the surveying, settling and growth of "New Connecticut," the state of Ohio, is a fascinating story of vision and optimism by men of courage and resourcefulness.

The real strength of Hatcher's work is that demographics and dates, while important and recognized, take second place to the words of the people who shaped Ohio, lived in and loved it. He has managed to breathe life into Ohio's story and make what could have been a dusty narrative come to life in the accounts, letters, and journals he quotes. Hatcher's obvious respect for this, his native state, permeates the text and only adds to his credibility. In his closing remarks he summarizes this viewpoint, saying: ". . . the Western Reserve, aware of its background and of its strategic position at the heart of America's industries, rich in education, drama and the fine arts, rooted in the past but with its head erect, faces with equanimity the destiny which persistantly unfolds before it." This is a must read for every student of Ohio history.

This is a very informative book, giving all kinds of details on the origins of Warren, Ohio, and its role within the old Western Reserve Territory. This book told me all I needed to know about the area, and also aroused my curiosity about other parts of the Western Reserve.