Ravenna, Ohio

Ravenna is a city in and the county seat of Portage County, Ohio, United States.[4] The population was 11,323 in the 2020 census. It is located 15 miles (24 km) east of Akron. Formed from portions of Ravenna Township in the Connecticut Western Reserve, Ravenna was founded in 1799 and is named after the city of Ravenna, Italy.[5][6] It is part of the Akron metropolitan area.

Ravenna, Ohio
City
Downtown Ravenna along Main Street in 2009
Downtown Ravenna along Main Street in 2009
Official logo of Ravenna, Ohio
Logo
Coordinates: 41°9′31″N 81°14′36″W
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyPortage
Founded1799
Incorporated1853
Founded byBenjamin Tappan
Named forRavenna, Italy
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorFrank Seman
Area
[1]
 • Total5.68 sq mi (14.71 km2)
 • Land5.63 sq mi (14.59 km2)
 • Water0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2)
Elevation
[2]
1,132 ft (345 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total11,323
 • Density2,010.12/sq mi (776.14/km2)
Demonym(s)Ravennese, Ravennan, Ravennate
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
44266
Area code(s)330, 234
FIPS code39-65592[3]
GNIS feature ID1061586[2]
Websitewww.ravennaoh.gov

History

Ravenna was founded by Benjamin Tappan, who arrived there on June 11, 1799, to lay claim in his father's name to land purchased in the Connecticut Western Reserve. Tappan did not stay in the area for long, however, but built a settlement of log cabins before returning to Connecticut during the summer of 1800.[7][8]

Later in 1800, Tappan, newly married, returned to the area where the couple built a log cabin of their own. It was his new wife, Nancy Wright, who suggested that the settlement be named after the city of Ravenna, Italy. Nancy became a driving force for the new town. When plans were announced in 1806 for the formation of Portage County, she lobbied for Ravenna to be made the county seat, and it was selected in 1808. She also convinced other Connecticut families to move to the area.[7] The Tappans, however, left Ravenna in 1809.[8]

Ravenna was initially included in Franklin Township, which was part of Trumbull County at the time. The first mail route was established in 1802 and the first school opened in 1803. In 1810 the first county courthouse and log jail were built. This was later replaced with the first brick courthouse twenty years later in 1830, expanded with an addition in 1881. The current courthouse was built in 1961. The Congregational Church, established in 1822, was the first church to be founded in Ravenna. In 1824, the Methodist Church held its first meeting, which later formally organized in 1831. The Presbyterian and the Disciple of Christ churches were organized in 1830. In 1842, the Catholic Church in Ravenna was dedicated.[9]

In 1831, the Clark Carriage Company, founded by W.D. Clark, first began to produce high-end hearses known for their elaborate workmanship and quality. Thirty years later, the company was purchased by Henry W. Riddle and Charles Merts in 1861, with Riddle being the salesman for the company and Merts running the factory. In 1891, Merts retired and sold his share of the company to Riddle, who, in turn, changed the name of the company to the Riddle Coach and Hearse. After the company began manufacturing motorized hearses, the name changed once again—this time to the Riddle Manufacturing Company. With the highly acclaimed reputation of the Riddle Hearse, two U.S. Presidents from Ohio, William McKinley and Warren G. Harding, would later make them their coach of choice for carrying their remains after their deaths.[7]

In 1848, a glassworks was established, which is now commonly recognized as the first true industry in Ravenna. Rail service first arrived via the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad in 1851. In 1877, the Quaker Oats Company was established in Ravenna with the familiar Quaker Oats logo patented in Ravenna in 1879.[9]

On May 25, 1853, the Ohio Woman's Rights Association, founded in 1852 in Massillon, held its first statewide meeting in Ravenna. The attendees helped draft a petition to the Ohio General Assembly, requesting legislation that would grant women more rights.[10]

On February 15, 1861, en route to his inauguration in Washington, DC, President-elect Abraham Lincoln traveled by train through Ravenna. He didn’t plan on speaking but, due to the enthusiastic supporters of the community and a stunning cannon salute, he stepped out of the train and addressed the crowd. A small plaque was placed at the site in 1985 to commemorate the event.[11]

Telephones were first introduced in Ravenna in 1882. In 1898, Ravenna began paving its streets when East and West Main streets received new, paved surfaces. By 1909, nearly 50 passenger trains arrived in the town each day. In 1917, Portage County purchased White Hospital, which eventually became the present day University Hospitals Portage Medical Center.[9]

In 1905, The A.C. Williams Co. was incorporated in Ravenna. Through the 1920s, the company was recognized as the largest cast-iron toy manufacturer in the world.[12]

Since the 1970s, the city has held the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair. Usually held around mid-September, the event attracts hot air balloonists and enthusiasts to Sunbeau Valley Farm in Ravenna Township, just west of the city limits. Besides the hot air balloons, there are also parades, cruise-ins, and live entertainment.[7]

In the late 1990s, the downtown area received a $3 million facelift to restore and preserve the city’s architecture, history, and heritage.[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.68 square miles (14.71 km2), of which 5.63 square miles (14.58 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830306—
18601,777—
18702,18823.1%
18803,25548.8%
18903,4175.0%
19004,00317.1%
19105,31032.7%
19207,21936.0%
19308,01911.1%
19408,5386.5%
19509,85715.4%
196010,91810.8%
197011,7807.9%
198011,9871.8%
199012,0690.7%
200011,771−2.5%
201011,724−0.4%
202011,323−3.4%
Sources:[3][14][15][16][17]

2010 census

As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 11,724 people, 5,055 households, and 2,860 families living in the city. The population density was 2,082.4 inhabitants per square mile (804.0/km2). There were 5,566 housing units at an average density of 988.6 per square mile (381.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.1% White, 5.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 5,055 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 37.9 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 11,771 people, 4,980 households, and 2,997 families living in the city. The population density was 2,199.2 inhabitants per square mile (849.1/km2). There were 5,313 housing units at an average density of 992.6 per square mile (383.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.03% White, 4.42% Black, 0.25% American Indian, 0.39% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 4,980 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,650, and the median income for a family was $46,090. Males had a median income of $33,574 versus $25,320 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,862. About 6.0% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Frank Seman was sworn in as mayor on January 1, 2016, succeeding Joseph Bica.[19][20]

Prior to Bica, the mayor of Ravenna was Kevin Poland. Poland replaced long-time mayor Paul Jones who retired and moved to Florida after a scandal investigation regarding his practices as mayor. Ravenna Police Chief Randy McCoy initiated formal investigations by the county prosecutor after learning that the FBI had begun conducting a formal investigation of the former Mayor. The major focus of the city's investigation involved the Mayor's son, Paul Jones Jr., who was paid more than $274,900 over eight years for a questionable mowing contract.[21][22][23]

In March 2007, Jones was sentenced to sixteen months in a federal prison for various fraud charges.[24]

Education
Ravenna High School

Elementary and secondary education for students in Ravenna and Ravenna Township is provided by the Ravenna School District, which includes Ravenna High School for grades 9–12 and Brown Middle School for grades 5–8. The district reorganized its elementary buildings for the 2020–21 school year, closing Carlin Elementary and grouping grade levels together. Previously, the district had operated four neighborhood elementary schools each with grades 1–5. Kindergarten students attend West Park Elementary, Willyard Elementary houses the district's 1st and 2nd graders, and West Main Elementary houses grades 3 and 4. The district's preschool program and child care center are located in the former Carlin Elementary School building.[25]

Ravenna is also home to the Maplewood Career Center, a vocational school which serves high school-aged students from ten high schools in Portage and Summit counties and offers adult education programs.[26] The Bio-Med Science Academy, a public STEM school for grades 2–12, has a campus in Ravenna at the former Fortis College location that houses the program's 5th and 6th graders. Grades 2–4 are housed at Bio-Med's Shalersville campus and grades 7–12 are located at the Rootstown campus.

A campus of Fortis College, a small, private for-profit school, was located in northern Ravenna near State Route 14. It closed at the end of 2018 due to declining enrollment.[27]

Transportation

The following highways pass through Ravenna:

Ravenna is located south of Interstate 80/Ohio Turnpike exit 193, and north of Interstate 76 exit 38.

Notable people

References
  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. Overman, William Daniel (1958). Ohio Town Names. Akron, OH: Atlantic Press. p. 116.
  6. "Ravenna, Ohio". Ohio History Central. Ohio Historical Society. July 1, 2005. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
  7. "Ravenna". TouringOhio.com. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  8. Lacey, E.Y. "Benjamin Tappan, Beset by Hard Luck, Fought Way Through Uncharted Wilderness To Become First Ravennan". ThomasRiddle.net. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  9. "Our History - City of Ravenna, Ohio". Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  10. "First Women's Rights Movement". Ohio History Central. Ohio History Connection. 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  11. Price, Mark J. (February 20, 2017). "Local history: Abraham Lincoln had a blast in Ravenna in 1861". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  12. "The Move to Ravenna".
  13. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  14. "Number of Inhabitants: Ohio" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. 1960. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  15. "Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  16. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018". American FactFinder 2018 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau. July 1, 2018. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  17. "Ravenna city, Portage County, Ohio – Profile of General Demographic Characteristics". Data.Census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  19. "Mayor Frank Seman". City of Ravenna. 2016. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  20. "Bica sworn in as Ravenna mayor: Goals include economic development". Record-Courier. January 5, 2010.
  21. Armon, Rick (March 30, 2007). "Former Ravenna mayor charged: Paul Jones now faces state case on evidence from federal probe that will send him to prison". Akron Beacon Journal (Reprint).
  22. Piltz, Marci. "Former Ravenna Mayor Paul Jones started federal sentence on May 9". Record-Courier. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2007.
  23. "Paul Jones sentenced to 16 months in prison". Retrieved May 24, 2007.
  24. "Former Mayor Paul Jones of Ravenna Sentenced to 16 Months in Jail for Mail and Tax Fraud Convictions". United States Department of Justice. March 23, 2007. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  25. "About Us". Ravenna School District. 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  26. "Maplewood Career Center". Mwood.cc. Maplewood Career Center. 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  27. Gaetjens, Bob (February 9, 2018). "Fortis' Ravenna campus to close by end of 2018". Record-Courier. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  28. "Ravenna WWII hero Colonel Bill Bower, 'Doolittle Raider,' dies". Record-Courier. January 12, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  29. "Long Bio". CartCacioppo.com. 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  30. "George Calvin Hampton". Reed Memorial Library. 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  31. "Peggy King Rodofker". Raven Hall of Fame. Reed Memorial Library. 1994. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  32. Schwieder, Dorothy (Fall 2010). "The Life and Legacy of Jack Trice". The Annals of Iowa. State Historical Society of Iowa. 69 (4): 391. doi:10.17077/0003-4827.1474. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
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