[8] The area that is now Bedford and northeastern Ohio was originally inhabited by Native Americans as early as 11,000 years ago.

Much of the colony's land, which extended to the Pacific Ocean, was ceded to the early U.S. government, but a few million acres west of the border of Pennsylvania became what was known as the Western Reserve.

Seth Pease and Amzi Atwater surveyed Lot 46, which eventually would become Bedford Township.

[11] More settlers followed, including Benjamin Franklin Fitch, who founded the Taylor Chair Company in 1816.

He began making chairs at his home, which was located at Warrensville Center and Libby Roads in present-day Maple Heights, Ohio.

In 1834, the First Baptist Church was established to help meet the religious needs of the growing population in the area.

The old First Baptist Church is a stone building done in the Late Gothic Revival style and was designed by architect Jacob Snyder.

In 1968, the First Baptist Church moved to its present location at the corner of Turney Road and West Glendale Avenue.

At this time, Hezekiah Dunham, who was a prominent and wealthy local business man, and his wife, Clarissa Dunham, donated three acres of land for the village to be able to build a public square as well as other public and religious buildings.

"[7][10][18] In addition to the falls on Tinkers Creek and the abundant forests, transportation helped Bedford to grow.

Before the roads were even built, Bedford was situated along the main route between Pittsburgh and Cleveland and was an important stagecoach stop.

[7] Transportation became even more important in the area when the Ohio and Erie Canal opened in 1827 and the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad began in 1852.

[24] On February 20, 2023, an explosion occurred at a I. Schumann & Co. copper alloy plant in Bedford, causing a large fire and catastrophic damage to the facility and numerous cars in a lot across the street.

[25] According to authorities, 14 people were hospitalized for burn injuries, including a 46 year old factory worker, who later succumbed to them after being admitted in critical condition.

The reservation includes Tinker's Creek, which flows through a gorge that has been listed as a National Natural Landmark.

Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a company owned by Danish Novo Holdings A/S,[38] opened a manufacturing facility in Bedford in 2017.

The epoxy resin used is patent pending and the company, founded in 1989, is the largest maker of this type of flooring.

The Automile, which lies along Rockside Road and Broadway, was formally established in 1956 to promote the interests of the auto dealerships and to help these companies work together to give back to the community.

Together the Automile companies have raised money for a number of charitable causes, including breast cancer awareness, Cleveland's homeless population, and Bedford High School scholarships.

Route 90F: Broadway – Libby travels between downtown Cleveland and Oakwood Village with stops in Bedford along Northfield Road.

Safely Home offers residential and outpatient programs for young people with special education needs and behavioral challenges.

The Cuyahoga County Public Library Southeast Branch is located in Bedford.

[49] Educational youth services include free, after school mentoring and homework assistance.

The branch also hosts Aspire Greater Cleveland services, which include adult literacy, GED, English as a second language, and job skills training.