Boston Mills Historic District

Boston Mills Historic District is a roughly 37-acre area within Cuyahoga Valley National Park containing multiple structures from the 19th century in Greek Revival style. The buildings include a former mill, warehouse, boat yard, and hotel that once formed the backbone of the local economy.

The area emerged after the Ohio and Erie Canal opened in 1827, enabling new trade routes. Settlement grew quickly as waterborne transport powered local industries such as milling and boat construction.

The place takes its name from Boston settlers who established the first mill in the 1820s. Today the gathered buildings display different building phases from the canal era through the early 20th century.

The visitor center in the former Boston Company Store offers a good starting point to explore the grounds and learn about the industrial past. The walking paths between buildings are straightforward and allow you to discover the various structures from different time periods on your own.

Several early 20th-century houses display interesting patterns made from colored concrete block, an economical building material that was innovative for the era. These construction elements are less known today, though they reflect the craftsmanship of their builders.