Settlers came to Coventry in 1805 and Norton in 1810. Henry Van Hyning in 1810 was one of the first justices of the peace.
1888 O.C.Barber took an option on 555 acres from Norton to search for natural gas but found limestone, salt ,and soda ash.
Rather than give up the land option, Barber envisioned a planned industrial community.
Barber envisioned Lake Anna as the centerpiece of the town. It was called Way’s Lake!!
The early settlement in Barberton was New Portage. 1825.
Barber and his syndicate began selling and building factories by the end of 1891.
By November of 1891 , three hundred homes were built. Cost between $100 and $4,000.
City was incorporated in 1892. Until then all the political activity happened in Norton. To keep the Republicans from Barberton voting in Norton for a nominating meeting, The Democrats hired out all the horses and wagons that were available for only Democrats to vote.
P.S. Norton and Barberton never really got along and cooperated until recently !
More next week!! These facts were from the book, Barberton Fried Chicken, Ronald Koltnow, American Palate, 2018.