City of Ravenna, Ohio history

In 1809, Tappan moved to Steubenville where he continued to practice law.

In 1810 the first Portage County Court house and log jail were constructed.

Tappan served in the War of 1812 under General Elijah Wadsworth.

The first church to be established in Ravenna was the Congregational Church, founded in 1822.

In 1831 a wagon and buggy business was founded by W.D. Clark.

In 1842, the Catholic Church in Ravenna was dedicated.

The community grew and had approximately 1,200 residents by 1846.

In 1848 the first glassworks was established in Ravenna.

Rail service first arrived via the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad in 1851.

In 1853, the Ohio Women’s Rights Association held its first statewide meeting in Ravenna.

Tappan died on April 20, 1857 in Steubenville, Ohio.

H. Warner Riddle didn’t arrive in Ravenna until 1860.

En route to his 1861 inauguration, Abraham Lincoln traveled by train through Ravenna.

In 1877, the Quaker Oats Company was founded in Ravenna.

The familiar Quaker Oats logo was patented in Ravenna in 1879.

In 1886, Ravenna had two newspaper offices, eight churches, and two banks as well as several manufacturing establishments.

Early 1900’s view of downtown Ravenna

By 1909, nearly 50 passenger trains arrived in Ravenna each day.

In 1932 the County purchased White Hospital.

The Ravenna Arsenal opened in 1940.

More than 14,000 Ohioans found employment here during World War II. The Ravenna Arsenal began production on March 23, 1942, The facility ceased arms production at the end of World War II. The Ravenna Arsenal began production of arms again during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

The employment trend continued in Ravenna, when in 1947 the city saw an industrial boom with the founding of companies such as Enduro Rubber, Duracote and Allen Aircraft.

In 1957, the Arsenal ceased munitions production.

In the late 1990’s, Ravenna saw a major revival.

In 1999, Ravenna invested $3 million in renovating and restoring the downtown area.