Q: Why is there a boulder nestled near South Park and Lee?
A: A Revolutionary War soldier and early settler is buried (near) there
By Nate Paige
With all the beautiful sites on South Park Boulevard, it’s no wonder that many of us ride, walk, and drive by a unique piece of history without even knowing it. About 100 feet east of the intersection of South Park and Lee Road, on the north side of the street, sits the oldest historical marker in Shaker Heights: a boulder with a bronze plaque memorializing Revolutionary War soldier Jacob Russell.
No, the area does not cover a hidden cemetery, rather the assumed approximate location of Russell’s lone gravesite. His gravestone is enclosed by a fence behind the boulder. Although according to a Shaker Historical Society newsletter, Russell was likely buried closer to the present-day intersection or possibly just beside it.
Russell was born in Kingston, New York, in 1746. By 1775, this husband – and then-father of two – had moved to Connecticut and enlisted in the 8th Company of the Connecticut Continentals. After serving only five months, he was discharged from service.
The Russell family ballooned to include 10 living offspring (of the 14 children Jacob and his wife had altogether). In the spring of 1812, Jacob’s sons Elijah and Ralph moved to Warrensville, with the rest of the family following in the fall of 1812. They were among the earliest European American settlers to plant roots and begin farming very near the memorial site.
After Jacob’s death in 1821, Ralph founded the North Union Shaker colony for which the City is named.
Many of us ride, walk, and drive by a unique piece of history without even knowing it.
And a descendant of Jacob Russell’s was among the outspoken opponents who helped to thwart plans in the early 1960s to construct freeways that would have plowed right through the Shaker parklands, together threatening to destroy an estimated 375 homes.
Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the June 11, 1926 unveiling of the marker by the Western Reserve Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. At the original unveiling ceremony, an invocation speech was given by a Civil War Veteran and those in attendance included a great-great granddaughter and great-great-great grandson of Jacob Russell.
If you’ve had a burning question about Shaker’s beginnings, transitions, or unique landmarks, let us know at shaker.mag@shakerheightsoh.gov. We might not be able to answer all questions, but your curiosity will help us start the digging.
Shaker Life appreciates research assistance for this article from staff of the Shaker Historical Society and Shaker Heights Public Library.
