A Vibrant Crossroads
Our location is on the rushing Grand River, a couple of miles from Lake Erie and a short commute from Cleveland. Painesville is a place where people can truly have it all: recreation, commerce, community and opportunity. That’s why Painesville is ranked as a top three Cleveland, Ohio, suburb for young professionals by Movoto. We’re a community where everyone is welcome. This is a place where you can build a business and enjoy life. Dine at a homegrown eatery in our town square. Go steelhead fishing on the Grand River, or take in Lake Erie just a few miles away. Then slow down and experience history through our centuries-old architecture.

A Storied Past
Our story is rich with ties to the Underground Railroad, pioneering innovators who built early cars like the Vulcan, and brave flight forerunners like Margaret Hurlburt (who is tied to Amelia Earhart). We’re proud of 10 buildings that are on the National Registry of Historic Places and our preservation efforts, which are propelled by a desire to share our important past with future generations.

The Main Street Way
Downtown Painesville is part of a national Main Street movement to revitalize historic communities through preservation and economic development initiatives. That’s why we say we are Building Futures while Preserving History. As a designated Main Street Downtown Organization, our strategy aligns with a mission established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.