A short history of the area: Barberton, is a city in Summit County and is located in northeastern Ohio, USA. The city of Barberton, Ohio had it's beginnings from a group a small farms owned by various individuals. In January of 1890 Ohio Columbus Barber, through the Barberton Land Development Company, purchased the original 600 acres of land that would eventually become Barberton. William A Johnson, a civil engineer, surveyed and plated the land in 1891. By 1892, when it was incorporated, the original scattered farms had grown into a city of 1,800. The first factory, National Sewer Pipe, helped to bring workers into the area. 1894 saw O. C. Barber bring workers in from Akron, Ohio to work at his Diamond Match Company plant. In 1899 Columbia Chemical Company opened it's soda ash plant. In 1906, Babcock & Wilcox purchased the Consolidated Boiler Company of Barberton that eventually produced the boilers for the first nuclear powered merchant ship. In 1910 Ohio Brass bought out the Akron Hi-Potential Porcelain Co, and became the premier porcelain insulator manufacturer to the electric utility industry. By 1910 the population was 9,400 and this again doubled by 1920 to 18,811 and by 1960 to 33,805. This explosive growth gave the city it's nick name "Magic City". In 1990, the population was 27,623. This reduction is due to the loss of some of the manufacturing companies and the general economic downturn in the northeast area of the United States. Schools: One of the greatest assets to the community is its school system; which includes my Alma Mater, Barberton High School (Class of '73). Barberton High School has produced many fine scholars and athletes. This fine educational institution that began as 19 rooms in 1915, eventually grew to two buildings in 1939. The second building, The Industrial Arts Building, houses Greynolds Gymnasium. Barberton is in the process of building a new high school with some of the proceeds from selling Barberton Citizens Hospital to Quorum Health Group Inc. Athletics:
Local Activities: Barbertonians love to have festivals and parades; and we usually do our celebrating in the middle of town. We have parades and festivals for Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. There is a beautiful spring fed lake, Lake Anna (named for O. C. Barber's daughter), surrounded by a park near the middle of town. Each spring, we hold the Cherry Blossom festival and hope the cherry trees in the park cooperate by blooming "sometime" during the festival. The park includes a gazebo where concerts are held on the weekends in summer. Also in the summer, is the Lake Anna Arts and Crafts Festival; where many talented artists display and sell their work. In the fall, we have Chickenfest (my personal favorite!), this festival celebrates the fact that we have some of the finest fried chicken restaurants in the area. For the horticulturist, we have Mumfest, a corner of the park is decorated with colorful mums provided by Yoder Brothers Nurseries. Barberton also has a complete exercise facility, including a indoor/outdoor swimming pool and water park called "Magic Waters". Barberton Chicken Recipe 2 frying chickens cut up Cut Chicken breasts in half lengthwise:separate thighs from legs. The chicken pieces should be all about the same size, for even cooking. Combine flour, salt and pepper. Roll chicken pieces in flour and shake off excess. Dip in beaten eggs. Roll in bread crumbs, pressing crumbs into chicken; gently shake off excess. Melt lard in a chicken fryer or heavy, deep kettle. Heat to 250 degrees. Fry chicken pieces a few at a time for 20 minutes. Keep fried chicken warm while frying remaining batches. Barberton Hot Sauce Recipe 2 onions, chopped Brown onions and pepper in butter. Add paprika to taste. Process tomatoes briefly in a blender. Add tomatoes, rice, salt and pepper to onion mixture. Cover and cook until rice is tender, about 45 minutes, adding additional water if necessary. Remove pepper slices before serving. Barberton Cole Slaw Recipe 1 small head cabbage, about 1 1/4 lbs. Shred cabbage. You should have about eight cups. Combine vinegar, oil and sugar and whisk until sugar has dissolved. Pour dressing over cabbage and season with salt. Toss well. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours, stirring occasionally. Want to catch up on the latest goings on in Barberton? Get into the fray on which is the best chicken house; find old friends or classmates; or comment on local government. Check out the Barberton Talk Zone listed in the links below and add your comments to the bulletin board!
|
