Chagrin Falls

Founded in the year 1844, Chagrin Falls began as an industrial town. The Falls themselves are part of the Chagrin River. The story of how the Falls got their name isn’t universally agreed upon, but there are three theories. The first theory which has been endorsed by town historian Jane Babinsky is that it is derived from the American Indian word for “clear water”. The second theory is that it was named for the French explorer Sieur de Saguin, which over time and across languages became “Chagrin.” Then there’s the third and most ironic theory, that when explorers first discovered a river that ran through the middle of town, they were “chagrined” to find that it was not the Cuyahoga River.

Should you move to Chagrin Falls, the last thing you would find would be chagrin. Despite its name, Chagrin Falls is a warm, friendly community of 4,056 residents. It’s a quaint, tightly knit village that is a callback to the 20th century. Living there would be akin to hopping in a time machine, with the advantage of having reliable indoor plumbing.

Today, Chagrin Falls residents are stewards of a pure, lovable, walkable, and architecturally intriguing historic village with a natural waterfall and dam located along the Chagrin River in the center of town. The waterfalls from which the town’s name is derived feature a drop of 20 feet and a crest line of 60 feet. The water at the bottom of the falls can range from 2–15 feet. The authentic history and village lifestyle that define Chagrin Falls are a source of community pride and an attraction to visitors from around the world.