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WESTERN RESERVE CENTENNIAL
1896
CONNEAUT, OH
Western Reserve comprises 5,280 sq. mi. in northeastern
corner of Ohio; celebration centered in Cleveland but General Moses
Cleveland's original surveying expedition first entered Reserve July 4, 1796
at Conneaut, 60 mi. to east on Lake Erie.
Under their colonial charters, some states had claims
on western lands, Connecticut's being "from sea to sea." States' western
rights ceded to U.S. 1784-86 but Connecticut "reserved" above territory from
its own conveyance. During next 10 years, state gave away and sold entire
area; then deeded all 3,500,000 acres to Federal Government May 20, 1800, to
simplify jurisdiction, U.S. having created Northwest Territory 1787, with
its capital at Marietta. Ohio was admitted to Statehood March 1, 1803.
This was Official Medal of centennial celebration at
Conneaut; issue quite limited. Official Report, p. 27, of Cleveland
celebration states "…Centennial medal, designed by L. Vincent Metz, was
struck and placed on sale…" Authors never have seen this latter piece.
 
Obv. Team of horses and wagon proceeding l.,
above Official Float--all within center circle; outside, around
Western Reserve Centennial; below * 1896 *
Rev. Cabins and flag on bluff above sea and
ship, below July 4th / 1796.--all within center circle;
outside, around Landing of Moses Cleveland; below *
Conneaut, O. *
HK-638 White Metal. 43mm.
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