When it was established, Dover Township was geographically much larger than present day Westlake. It encompassed land to the north and to the south. Shortly before Dover Township marked the end of its first century, the area to the north (now Bay Village) and the area to the south (now North Olmsted) separated from Dover, becoming independent cities. After satisfying the legal requirements, the remaining 15.9 square miles of Dover Township was renamed as Dover Village in 1911.