Parma is an incorporated city southwest of Cleveland, 9th-largest in the state of Ohio. Occupying 19.7 sq. mi., it is bounded by Cleveland and Brooklyn on the north, Brooklyn Heights. and Seven Hills on the east, N. Royalton and Broadview Heights. on the south, and Brook Park, Middleburg Heights, and Parma Heights, on the west. Parma was originally part of Parma Township, created in 1826. The first settlers were the Benaiah Fay family from New York State, who settled along the Cleveland-Columbus Rd. in 1816. The name was taken from Parma, N.Y., where it was probably derived from the early-19th century fascination with classical Italy. During the 19th century, Parma remained largely agricultural, with the sole manufacturer in the area being Dudley and Wm. Humphrey's clock shop. In 1912, a portion of the township seceded to form the village of Parma Heights. In 1924, Parma was incorporated as a village, and in 1926 it adopted the mayor-council form of government. In 1931 a proposition to annex it to the city of Cleveland was defeated, and Parma became a city. Parma's tremendous growth came after World War II as young families began moving from Cleveland into the Suburbs. Between 1950-80, its population soared from less than 20,000 to more than 110,000. The growth of business and industry in the area paralleled the increase in population. Parma is home both to many small businesses and to major industries such as General Motors, Modern Tool & Die, the Union Carbide Research Ctr., and Cox Cable Television. In addition, there are more than 25 smaller industries. Parma, Seven Hills, and Parma Heights make up the Parma School District. The system includes 14 elementary, 4 junior high, and 3 high schools. Parma also has 12 parochial elementary and 2 parochial high schools, with a student population of 8,253. Cuyahoga Community College's Western Campus is situated at Pleasant Valley and York roads. Enrollment at the campus exceeded 12,000 in 1985. Parma is a member of the Cuyahoga County Public Library System, having 2 branch libraries. The city offers a wide variety of recreational facilities and services to its residents, including 26 park sites, swimming pools, an enclosed ice-skating rink, lighted tennis courts, a 150-acre golf course, baseball fields, 2 lakes, a senior citizen center, and the Gibbs Farm of the Parma Historical Society. The Parma Community General Hospital the Kaiser Permanente Medical Ctr., Parmatown Shopping Ctr., and almost 90 acres of the Big Creek Reservation of the Metroparks System are also located in the city. Kubasek, Ernest R., The History of Parma (1976). Parma Chamber of Commerce, Parma (1984). Parma Sesquicentennial, 1826-1976
