Portage County, Ohio
Atwater Congregational Church
Aurora Center Historic District
Aurora Train Station
Beebe, Horace Y., House
Byers, John F., House
Cleveland Worsted Mills Redfern Mill
Cottage Hill Farm
Crafts William H., House
Crystal Lake Stock Farm
Davey, John, House
Diver, John, House and Storebuilding
East Main Street Historic District
Ellenwood House
Etna House
Ferrey, Aaron, House
Franklin Hotel
Franklin Township Hall
Freedom Congregational Church
Garfield, James A., House
Griffin, A. B.,-O. H. Griffin House
Griffin, Alexander B., House
Gross, L.N., Company Building
Hine, Horace L., House
Hopkins, Benjamin F., Stone Building
Howard, C. R., House
Johnson, John, Farm
Kent Industrial District
Kent Jail
Kent, Charles House
Kent, Zeno, House
Mantua Center District
Mantua Center School
Mantua Station Brick Commercial District
Masonic Temple
May 4, 1970, Kent State Shootings Site
Mott Drug Store
Nelson, Luman, House
Ohio State Normal College At Kent
Olin, Arvin, House
Palmyra Center Hotel
Phoenix Block
Reed, C. A., House
Riddle Block
Riddle Block #11
Riddle Block #5
Riddle Block #9
Wadsworth, Frederick, House
West Main Street District
Young, Thomas F., House
1893 Ravenna Flagpole
Abraham Lincoln, Ravenna, Ohio
Ariel Bradley
Atwater Coal Company Mine Disaster
Benjamin Tappan, Jr.
Commemorating the 120th Anniversary
Ebenezer Sheldon
Ephraim Root
Garrettsville, Ohio
Geauga Lake
Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake Airship Hangar
Hart Crane American Poet
Hiram College
History of Koritansky Hall
In Memory of Those
James A. Garfield
James A. Garfield
Kent and the Underground Railroad
Kent State University
Mantua Center Historic District
Maple Industry in Garrettsville, Ohio
Mogadore
Old Stagecoach Inn / Historic Palmyra Center
Oliver and Rosetta Snow
Rootstown
Silver Creek Cheese Factory
The Chillicothe Turnpike
The Church In Aurora
The Underground Railroad / Escaping Slavery In Eastern Ohio
Village Government Center Building History
War Memorial
"Creepy" Karpis and The Last Great Train Heist
The first European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, and the area that would become Portage County was established in 1807. The county was named after the ancient Indian portage path that crossed the region, connecting the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers. The portage path played a significant role in the development of the region, as it provided a route for fur traders and settlers to transport goods and travel between Lake Erie and the Ohio River.
In the early 19th century, Portage County experienced rapid growth and development. With the construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal in the 1820s, the county became a vital transportation hub, facilitating the movement of goods and people between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River. The canal brought increased trade and commerce to the region, leading to the establishment of towns and industries along its route.
During the mid-19th century, Portage County saw significant advancements in education and abolitionist movements. The county became known for its thriving educational institutions, such as Hiram College and the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (present-day Kent State University). These institutions attracted students and scholars from all over, contributing to the intellectual and cultural development of the county.
In the 20th century, Portage County continued to evolve, particularly with the expansion of Kent State University. The university grew in size and prominence, becoming a significant educational and research institution. However, the county also experienced a tragic event in 1970 when four students were killed and nine injured during a Vietnam War protest on the Kent State University campus.
Today, Portage County is a vibrant and diverse community that embraces its history while looking towards the future. The county is known for its natural beauty, including the Portage County Ravenna Arsenal Park and Nelson Ledges State Park, which attract outdoor enthusiasts from around the region. Additionally, the county remains an educational hub, with Kent State University continuing to play a crucial role in the county's economy and cultural landscape.
Brief timeline of the history of Portage County, Ohio:
- 1805 - Portage County is established and named after the Portage path, an important Native American trail in the area.
- 1808 - Kent, the first city in Portage County, is founded.
- 1837 - Hiram College is established, becoming the oldest college in the county.
- 1851 - The Atlantic and Great Western Railroad is completed, connecting Portage County to national transportation networks.
- 1862 - The Kent State Normal School is established, later becoming Kent State University.
- 1934 - The Kent State University Airport (now Kent State University Airport and Research Park) is established.
- 1970 - The Kent State shooting occurs during a Vietnam War protest, resulting in the deaths of four students.
- 1996 - The Portage County District Library is formed, merging several local libraries into one.
- 2009 - The Center for Science and Technology at Kent State University is completed, becoming an iconic addition to the campus.
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Portage County, Ohio.