OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The authors of the most comprehensive book on the history of Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township in more than 40 years are calling on government bodies, historical organizations and others to set straight an oft-repeated, but erroneous, story. The Olmsted Story: A Brief History of Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township refutes the claim that "Olmsted" once was spelled "Olmstead."

"We have proof that the family for whom the community is named never spelled its name with an 'a' in it," co-author Jim Wallace said. "My co-author, Bruce Banks, and I have devoted an entire chapter in our new book to correct that error."

Banks and Wallace are sending letters to such organizations as the Olmsted Township Board of Trustees, the City of North Olmsted, the Cuyahoga County Public Library, the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History and the Ohio Historical Society asking them to quit using on their websites and elsewhere the story that the community was called "Olmstead" until the "a" was dropped from the name.

For example, the official website for Olmsted Township gives this account of how the community got its name: "In 1829, the community agreed to name itself after Charles Olmstead in exchange for his library, said to be the first west of the Alleghenies. In the course of time the "A" was dropped from the name and the name and this area was known as Olmsted Township."

"That seems like a nice story, but it's wrong," Banks said. "There never was an 'a' in 'Olmsted' except when people misspelled it. Records show that members of the Olmsted family never spelled their name with an 'a' in it."

Among the evidence the book cites about the spelling of "Olmsted" are three original letters (now owned by the Historical Society of Olmsted Falls) written to Aaron Olmsted (father of Charles), the Connecticut sea captain who successfully bid for a large portion of the township in 1795, as well as a portrait of him that he signed. Other evidence includes books written by or signed by Aaron Olmsted's relatives that are now in the possession of the North Olmsted public library.

The Olmsted Story is the most comprehensive history of Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township since 1966 and brings that history up to 2010. In more than 150 pages and with more than 75 photos, the book covers such colorful aspects as long-running battles over saloons, attempts to annex all or portions of the township to neighboring communities and the dams, mills and factories that helped build Olmsted, as well as the floods that destroyed them.

Published by The History Press of Charleston, S.C., (www.historypress.net), The Olmsted Story is available from Grand Pacific Junction shops in Olmsted Falls, Gibbs Butcher Block in Columbia Station and online retailers.

SOURCE Jim Wallace