Missing the Lights On the Square? Here’s Why!

This post was written by Mark Gutowski and was posted to his Facebook page. I’m sharing it here with his permission.

Missing the Lights on the Square?
Here’s why

Merry Christmas Friends!

Many people have asked me why the City did not decorate the Square this year. Since so many people don’t realize that the Square is not owned by the City, I decided to take a closer look at its history, including how and why it came to be owned by the Township. Despite its long tradition as a festive centerpiece of downtown, here is why the Square is not decorated this year. The explanation connects to a unique piece of local history and to exciting improvements that will shape the Square’s future.

If you’ve ever visited or driven by the square in downtown Twinsburg, you’ve probably assumed it’s owned by the city. After all, it’s the heart of community life, home to the Soldiers’ Monument, community events, and generations of shared memories.

But here’s a surprising piece of local history:

The Public Square is owned by Twinsburg Township, even though it sits entirely within the City of Twinsburg.

So how did that happen?

Long before the Village (and later City) of Twinsburg existed, the land that became the Public Square was donated in the early 1800s by Moses and Aaron Wilcox, the twin brothers who gave Twinsburg its name. At the time, there was no village government, so ownership of the square vested with Twinsburg Township, which governed the area.

When Twinsburg Became a Village

In the mid-1950s, portions of Twinsburg Township voted to incorporate as the Village of Twinsburg, driven largely by the need to manage rapid growth tied to the arrival of the Chrysler stamping plant. Incorporation allowed the new village to collect taxes from major industrial development and to adopt the zoning and building regulations necessary to guide the construction of supporting residential neighborhoods and infrastructure, powers an unincorporated township did not fully possess at the time.

When this transition occurred, Ohio law did not require all township-owned property within the new village limits to automatically transfer to the village. As part of a court-ordered division of property in 1956, township and village leaders carefully divided assets such as buildings, equipment, and funds. The court specifically addressed the Public Square and ruled that ownership would remain with the Township, which would also assume full responsibility for its upkeep and maintenance.

Why Keep It That Way?

At the time, the Public Square was treated as having no monetary value for settlement purposes, and both sides agreed it was simpler to leave ownership where it already existed rather than complicate the broader division of property and finances. Detached or “island” parcels like this were not unusual in Ohio during that era.

A Shared Community Space

Although the Township owns the square on paper, it has always functioned as Twinsburg’s civic heart, enjoyed by residents of the city, township, and beyond. The unique ownership arrangement has quietly endured for decades, a reminder that history, practicality, and cooperation often shape our communities.

Looking Ahead

The Square’s undecorated appearance this year is tied to recent Township improvements to the space. Twinsburg Township has completed a renovation project focused on infrastructure upgrades, accessibility improvements, and long-term preservation of this historic site. These updates are designed to make the Square safer, more welcoming, and better suited for community use well into the future.

The City of Twinsburg and Twinsburg Township continue to maintain a strong, cooperative working relationship, collaborating regularly to support shared spaces, community events, and local traditions. Both are excited to see holiday decorations return to the Square next year, once improvements are fully settled and the space is ready to shine again.

P.S. If you’re missing some holiday cheer, City Hall on Ravenna Road looks fabulous with the decorations this year and is well worth a look — it’s just a short drive down Ravenna Road.

I wish you all Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.
— Mark