John Mercer Langston, first African-American elected official

If you are interested in history there is a unique tie-in to the inauguration of Barak Obama as the first African-American President of the United States right here in northern Ohio.

It was 1855 and John Mercer Langston, an African-American lawyer had moved to the small farming community of Brownhelm in Lorain County.  He became involved in community affairs and was elected by the all-white community to the post of township clerk.  Thus becoming the first African-American ever elected to public office in the United States.

A historical marker in front of the old Brownhelm School on North Ridge Road commemorates the event.