city, seat (1823) of Lorain county, northern Ohio, U.S. It lies along the Black River, just west of Cleveland and south of the city of Lorain. The site was settled in 1817 by Heman Ely, who built a log house, dam, gristmill, and sawmill. The city is now a diversified industrial community that manufactures medical equipment, alloy castings, automotive and aircraft parts, plastics, tools, heaters and air conditioners, and hydraulic equipment. Caves, waterfalls, and a forest tract add to the beauty of Cascade and Elywood parks. Lorain County Community College was established in the city in 1963. Inc. village, 1833; city, 1892. Pop. (2000) city, 55,953; Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor MSA, 2,148,143; (2005 est.) city, 56,061; Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor MSA, 2,126,318.