Welcome to Olmsted Falls

Although in some respects I consider Berea, Ohio, my hometown, I actually lived just across the city limits in the neighboring town of Olmsted Falls.  On Saturday we had a free day, and we drove there to explore its historic downtown.  After having lunch at Moosehead Tavern, a restaurant located in the old building that used to be the town's firehouse, we crossed the street to the Grand Pacific Junction shopping district.

Grand Pacific Junction is named after a hotel that was built in 1840.  It is one of about 30 buildings and storefronts that were restored in the 1990s to create a picturesque shopping district.

The former hotel is the building to the far left.  It now serves as a banquet hall.

The restoration of these buildings is thanks to the efforts by a local real estate man, Clint Williams, who, until he passed away a few years ago, was my neighbor.

  

An antique locomotive dating from 1922 stands on the site.

The former Masonic Temple has been converted into a wedding chapel.

The doors were open, and. since I had never seen the interior, we took a peek inside.

We went into some of the shops and bought a few things as gifts to take home to Mexico.  We then stopped at the ice cream shop.  Each of us had a double scoop.  At first I thought it was rather expensive, but then we saw the size of the serving.  It was enormous!  If we ever go there again, we will order a single scoop.