128-600: Franklin Mills could refer to: Kent, Ohio , formerly called Franklin Mills Philadelphia Mills , formerly referred to as Franklin Mills Mall Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Franklin Mills . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
256-535: A bicycle-sharing system known as Flashfleet in partnership with the university and PARTA . The program offers yearly memberships or hourly rentals with locations on campus and in the downtown area. Kent is governed by a charter form of government with a council–manager system of nine council members and a mayor. The city is divided into six wards and voters select a mayor, a council member representing their ward, and three at-large council members in staggered four-year terms. The city charter, adopted in 1963,
384-690: A floristry developer and manufacturer, was founded in Kent in 1954 and operates a plant in the city. Their corporate offices were moved back to Kent from Cuyahoga Falls in September 2013, having originally moved there from Kent in 1992. Kent is also home to the corporate headquarters of the Davey Tree Expert Company , which serves as the city's largest private employer. In 2010 Davey Tree announced plans to relocate staff from its Davey Resource Group, who were previously in neighboring Stow, to Kent as part of
512-550: A public bus service and hike-and-bike trails. As the home of the Davey Tree Expert Company , Kent is known as "The Tree City" while residents are referred to as " Kentites ". The city has produced a number of notable individuals, particularly in politics, athletics, and the entertainment industry. The region was originally inhabited by various tribes of American Indians , including the early Mound Builders . Around 1780, Captain Samuel Brady achieved notoriety for his activities in
640-454: A sunset provision that requires the tax rate to return to 2.0% once debt is paid off on the new facility. In 2014, the city operated on a budget of approximately $ 40 million. The largest percentage of the budget, 31% or $ 11.9 million, was spent on public safety services followed by 22% or $ 8.5 million on basic utilities. Debt service accounted for $ 6.0 million or 17% of the budget while transportation projects accounted for 9% or $ 3.37 million of
768-740: A "salute to the union", is fired on Independence Day at noon by any capable military base. New York City has the largest fireworks display in the country sponsored by Macy's , with more than 22 tons of pyrotechnics exploded in 2009. It generally holds displays in the East River. Other major displays are in Seattle on Lake Union ; in San Diego over Mission Bay ; in Boston on the Charles River ; in Philadelphia over
896-494: A 360-space parking deck and bus transfer station, a hotel and conference center, and three separate mixed-use buildings, began to take shape in 2010 following the demolition of several buildings in a four block area. New offices for Ametek and the Davey Tree Expert Company opened in late 2012 along with several new small businesses on the first floors of each building. The hotel, operated by Kent State University, opened in June 2013 and
1024-447: A 42.7% rate of owner-occupied housing, significantly below the percentages for the US, Ohio, and Portage County. In the city the 28.6% of the population aged 19 years and under, 40.5% aged 20 to 39, 15.5% from 40 to 59, 13.0% from 60 to 79, and 2.3% who were 80 years of age or older. The age bracket of 20 to 24 years is the city's largest, accounting for 25% of the total population. As a result,
1152-668: A book collection of 166,407 items as of 2023. It is a school district library associated with the Kent City School District and is also part of the Portage Library Consortium, connecting it with Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna and the Portage County District Library, which maintains six branch libraries across the county and a bookmobile . The main campus of Kent State University is located in
1280-532: A cider festival in November, and the Festival of Lights Christmas celebration in early December. The Wizardly World of Kent, formerly known as Kent Potterfest, is a festival celebrating the book and movie series Harry Potter and debuted in late July 2016. It is held annually in the downtown area in late July. It features Harry Potter -themed vendors and activities, a 5k run through the campus of Kent State University,
1408-559: A costume contest, and the transformation of Acorn Alley to resemble Diagon Alley . Kent Rainbow Weekend, the city's annual Pride festival, is held in October in multiple locations around the city and the campus of Kent State University. It originally debuted in 2020 and was held in early March, but was moved to October after the festival resumed in 2022. From May to October, the Haymaker Farmers' Market operates every Saturday morning in
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#17328526838501536-486: A female householder with no husband present, and 56.3% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size in Kent was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.86, which compares with the national average of 2.58 for a household and 3.14 for a family and the state average household size of 2.44 and average family size of 3.01. Kent has 12,052 housing units as of 2020 and
1664-765: A historical district along the Cuyahoga River adjacent to downtown that includes an area and structures that were important in Kent's early history. On the northwestern part of the Kent State University campus is the Ohio State Normal College At Kent district, which includes the school's five original classic revival buildings dating to 1913. There is also the West Main Street District just west of downtown that includes 20 private homes of architectural and historical significance from
1792-773: A local organization that promotes downtown Kent, created a family-oriented Halloween event downtown that precedes the unofficial celebration. Since 2007, Kent has hosted an annual environmental festival known as "Who's Your Mama?" which takes place in conjunction with Earth Day . The festival has events at various locations in the city, such as a vegan chef competition, concerts, a film festival, guest speakers, and booths on environment-based topics. Through Main Street Kent, additional events downtown include an ice cream social event in August, an outdoor concert series and "sidewalk cinema" between May and September, an art and wine festival in June,
1920-423: A picnic or barbecue; many take advantage of the day off and, in some years, a long weekend to gather with family members or friends. Parades are often attended in many towns and cities, some being hours-long, with many floats and participants. Parades are often held in the mid-late morning (before get-togethers), with longer spectacles sometimes extending into the early afternoon. Fireworks displays typically occur in
2048-433: A planned downtown development and has stated long-term goals include having all corporate offices in Kent. The office, which included some office staff already in Kent at the main corporate headquarters, opened in August 2012. Davey added a third wing to its Kent headquarters building in 2022, along with 70 new jobs. It is also building a 180-acre (73 ha) training and research campus and arboretum for both employees and
2176-485: A result, an industrial and business region was established along the east side of the river in what is now downtown Kent. Factories and mills were either planned or constructed along the Cuyahoga River, some of which either were never built or ultimately failed, due mostly to effects of the Panic of 1837 . A lock and attached arch dam, however, was completed in 1836. The canal officially opened in 1840, but would only operate into
2304-448: A result, several statistics are noticeably higher or lower than state and national averages including median age and the percentage of residents in the 18–24 age bracket, individuals below the poverty line, and percentage of residents with a college degree. Initial population growth in Kent was influenced by the location on the Cuyahoga River which led to the development of industrial and manufacturing jobs. Early settlers mainly came from
2432-571: A signatory of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe , another Founding Father who was elected president, also died on July 4, 1831, making him the third President who died on the anniversary of independence. The only U.S. president to have been born on Independence Day was Calvin Coolidge , who was born on July 4, 1872. Independence Day is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays. Per 5 U.S.C. § 6103 , Independence Day
2560-465: A slight decline from 2010, which city leaders attributed to the census being taken just after many student residents left at the onset of the COVID restrictions. The racial makeup of the city was 81.4% White , 8.8% African American , 3.2% Asian , 0.2% Native American , 0.0% Pacific Islander , and 6.3% from two or more races. 2.8% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race. Though slightly below
2688-545: A variety of construction and maintenance works as well as the city's water treatment and water reclamation systems while the Public Safety Department includes both the police and fire departments. The Kent Police Department is housed in the city's Safety Administration Building and includes 911 dispatch for Kent and Franklin Township . Kent State University also operates its own police department, which mainly patrols
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#17328526838502816-605: A world leader in the development of liquid crystals through the Liquid Crystal Institute and was the site of the first patent for the modern liquid crystal in the 1970s. In 2009 the university inaugurated the College of Public Health, the second public health program in Ohio. The Kent State library system, which includes the 12-story main library and houses over 2.6 million volumes, includes six additional department libraries on
2944-427: Is 103 °F (39 °C), set on July 7, 1988, with the record low of −22 °F (−30 °C) recorded January 17, 1982. During the spring and summer months, thunderstorms are fairly common and the area is susceptible to tornadoes , though the last recorded tornado in Kent occurred in 1973. Effects from tropical systems can also be felt, usually taking the form of increased humidity, rain, and wind, such as with
3072-498: Is a federal holiday, so all non-essential federal institutions (such as the postal service and federal courts ) are closed on that day. While the legal holiday remains on July 4, if that date happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday, then federal government employees will instead take the day off on the adjacent Friday or Monday, respectively. Other non-essential that are non-government related may also be closed that day. Families often celebrate Independence Day by hosting or attending
3200-606: Is a member of the Six District Educational Compact with five surrounding districts to facilitate vocational education, with many of these programs housed at Roosevelt High School. Kent also has one private school, St. Patrick School, which serves around 300 students in grades K–8 from Kent and several surrounding communities. It is part of Kent's St. Patrick parish and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown . The Kent Free Library
3328-746: Is also home to the Kent State University Museum, located in Rockwell Hall on the KSU campus. The museum focuses on the history of fashion design and decorative arts in the United States and around the world from the 18th century to the present. Each year in early May, the university hosts an annual commemoration of the Kent State shootings , which typically features several speakers, forums, artwork, and other related events. On campus, Kent State operates
3456-595: Is also the home of the Kent Twisters, a member of the Pennsylvania-Ohio Women's Hockey Association, an adult amateur women's ice hockey league. Kent also plays host to the Portage County Open tennis tournament, held annually at the tennis courts of Theodore Roosevelt High School . The city operates nearly 20 parks and preserves, the largest of which is the 56-acre (23 ha) Fred Fuller park along
3584-523: Is available for public recreational and instructional use outside of its use by the school for athletics and physical education. The pool hosts swimming lessons and serves as a home venue for the Hudson -based Hudson Explorers Aquatic Team, a competitive swimming program for ages five and above. Within the city are segments of the Portage Hike and Bike Trail, which is jointly managed with Kent State University,
3712-541: Is expected to open in July 2024. Kent is located in west-central Portage County in Northeast Ohio approximately 10 miles (20 km) northeast of Akron and 30 miles (50 km) southeast of Cleveland . It is bordered by Franklin Township on the north and east, the unincorporated community of Brady Lake on the east, Brimfield Township on the south, and Stow on the west. Other nearby communities include Ravenna to
3840-508: Is held Saturday mornings from November through April. The Kent Stage , located downtown, is a performance venue for a variety of arts performances in music and theater. It hosts around 90 concerts, four theatrical performances, and four film festivals or movie premiers per year, including local, national, and international performers. Since opening in 2002, it has been visited by approximately 120,000 patrons from all over Ohio, 38 U.S. states, and 3 countries. In April, it hosts events related to
3968-588: Is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeast Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 28,215 at the 2020 Census . The city is counted as part of the Akron metropolitan area and the larger Cleveland–Akron–Canton combined statistical area . Part of the Connecticut Western Reserve , Kent was settled in 1805 and was known for many years as Franklin Mills . Settlers were attracted to
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4096-406: Is reviewed by a charter commission every 10 years who then make recommendations for changes, the last review being in 2015. The city council hires a city manager who oversees the day-to-day operations in the various city departments and enforces policies set by council. The mayor serves a largely ceremonial role as president of the council and votes only in the event of a tie. Kent voters approved
4224-445: Is the main public library. It was established in 1892 after Kent became the first village in Ohio to use an 1892 state law which allowed municipalities under a population of 5,000 to tax residents for the upkeep of a library. Andrew Carnegie donated $ 10,000 in 1901 for construction of a permanent home for the library, which opened in 1903. The 2006 expansion to the library brought available space to 55,000 square feet (5,100 m ) with
4352-403: Is typically one of the busiest United States travel periods of the year, as many people use what is often a three-day holiday weekend for extended vacation trips. The Philippines celebrates July 4 as its Republic Day to commemorate the day in 1946 when it ceased to be a U.S. territory and the United States officially recognized Philippine Independence . July 4 was intentionally chosen by
4480-566: The 2012 College World Series . The 6,327-seat Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center , commonly referred to as the MAC Center, is the site of a number of athletic events in multiple sports, including wrestling , women's gymnastics , and women's volleyball in addition to men's and women's basketball. It is also a regular site for the Mid-American Conference's wrestling and women's gymnastics championships. In addition to hosting
4608-459: The COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellations of shows. Some local or regional firework sales are limited or prohibited because of dry weather or other specific concerns. On these occasions the public may be prohibited from purchasing or discharging fireworks, but professional displays (such as those at sports events) may still take place. A salute of one gun for each state in the United States, called
4736-586: The Cleveland Browns held their training camp in Kent at Kent State University. The Kent State University Ice Arena serves as host to several local ice hockey programs including youth leagues, high school and professional teams, and as a site for OHSAA high school tournament games and ice skating competitions in addition to being home of KSU's club team, which competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association . The ice arena
4864-519: The Cuyahoga River , named after a former Kent Parks chairman. The park includes the Kramer Fields baseball and softball complex, which contains four fields, two of which are lighted. Several of the parks along the Cuyahoga River are on or near areas of historical significance. Franklin Mills Riveredge Park, which follows the Cuyahoga River through downtown Kent, passes through a large portion of
4992-574: The Declaration of Independence , a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by the Committee of Five , which asked Thomas Jefferson to author its first draft. While Jefferson consulted extensively with the other four members of the Committee of Five, he largely wrote the Declaration of Independence in isolation over 17 days between June 11, 1776, and June 28, 1776, from the second floor he
5120-845: The Fourth of July , is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America . The Founding Father delegates of the Second Continental Congress declared that the Thirteen Colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain , King George III , and were now united, free, and independent states. The Congress voted to approve independence by passing
5248-499: The KSU football team , Kent State's 25,319-seat Dix Stadium has been a venue for high school football games both in the regular-season and the state playoffs. The adjacent Murphy-Mellis Field is a location for Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) field hockey tournament games and the Diamond at Dix is a regular venue for OHSAA regional softball tournament games. From 1975 to 1981
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5376-557: The Kent State athletic teams , the city also hosts a number of amateur and local sporting events at various times during the year. Kent is part of the Cleveland–Akron media market and is the city of license for three local radio stations and three television stations and includes the regional affiliates for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Local transportation infrastructure includes
5504-473: The Lee Resolution on July 2 and adopted the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July 4. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks , parades , barbecues , carnivals , fairs , picnics , concerts , baseball games , family reunions , political speeches , and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of
5632-634: The Ohio Army National Guard . Several memorials have been placed at the site over the years and commemorations have been held annually since 1971. In 2010 the entire site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Also during the late 1960s and into the 1970s, construction of Haymaker Parkway , completed in 1975, brought changes to the city's layout while eliminating ongoing problems with traffic congestion and blocked rail crossings. Kent received national attention in 1995 when
5760-828: The Philadelphia Museum of Art ; in San Francisco over the San Francisco Bay ; and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. During the annual Windsor–Detroit International Freedom Festival , Detroit, Michigan , hosts one of the largest fireworks displays in North America, over the Detroit River , to celebrate Independence Day in conjunction with Windsor, Ontario 's celebration of Canada Day . The first week of July
5888-613: The Second Empire style, and both the Aaron Ferrey and Charles Kent Houses as examples of Gothic Revival . Other buildings include the 1869 Kent Jail , now used by the Parks and Recreation Department, and the 1837 Franklin Township Hall , the site of eventual U.S. President James A. Garfield 's first nomination for public office in 1859. As part of its renovation and redevelopment,
6016-459: The War of 1812 . Firework shows are held in many states, and many fireworks are sold for personal use or as an alternative to a public show. Safety concerns have led some states to ban fireworks or limit the sizes and types allowed. In addition, local and regional conditions may dictate whether the sale or use of fireworks in an area will be allowed; for example, the global supply chain crisis following
6144-502: The liquid crystal industry. Kent has an additional Joint Economic Development District with Brimfield Township . Through the Kent Regional Business Alliance, the city also supports two business incubators . As of 2020, the educational, health, and social services fields were the city's largest sector, and employed 28.4% of Kent's workforce. This included the city's two largest employers, Kent State University and
6272-488: The " Kent State Normal School ". The site for the school was on 53 acres (21 ha) of land donated by William S. Kent, son of Marvin Kent, on what was then the eastern edge of town. By 1929 the school was renamed Kent State College after the establishment of a college of liberal arts and degrees in the arts and sciences and in 1935 was renamed Kent State University after it was given authorization to grant advanced graduate degrees. The bill giving Kent State university status
6400-611: The "Who's Your Mama?" Earth Day festival and in June, it is one of the host venues for the Kent Folk Festival, an annual event in folk music since the late 1960s. The festival includes multiple folk music acts at venues throughout the city over a period of several days. The Kent Stage also hosts the Kent Blues Festival and a local artist music festival known as the Up From The River Music Festival. Kent
6528-596: The 1860s. By the 1870s the canal was completely shut down. In the era leading up to the American Civil War , Franklin Mills was an active stop on the Underground Railroad , giving fugitive slaves shelter on their escape to Canada . There were three notable stops in Franklin Mills, one of which still stands as of 2010. During this period, from 1835 to 1839, noted American abolitionist John Brown moved to
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#17328526838506656-465: The 2020 census, Kent remains the county's largest city. Most recent population measurements of the city have shown the effect of changes in the city's overall population coinciding with changes in the number of students living on campus as well as a reduction in the number of persons per housing unit. As of the 2020 Census , there were 28,215 people living in the city for a population density of 3,059.5 people per square mile (1,181.3 people/km ),
6784-656: The College of Architecture and Environmental Design along the Esplanade extension and also relocated the former home of May Prentice, the first female faculty member at Kent State, to the extension as the home for the Wick Poetry Center. Construction on the architecture building started in October 2014 and was completed in August 2016. A new 55,000 square feet (5,100 m ) facility for the College of Aeronautics and Technology opened in January 2015, but rapid enrollment growth of
6912-409: The Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed. By remarkable coincidence, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the only two signatories of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as presidents of the United States , both died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not
7040-481: The English city of Gloucester , its cathedral rang bells in 2019 and 2020 for the anthem " The Star-Spangled Banner " every July 4 for its links to the anthem , commemorating its status as the birthplace of John Stafford Smith , who composed the tune on which the anthem is based. (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to
7168-426: The Federal level, Kent is included in Ohio's 13th congressional district , represented since 2023 by Republican Dave Joyce of Geauga County . Preschool , elementary , and secondary education is mainly provided by the Kent City School District. The portion of the city south of State Route 261 is part of the neighboring Field Local School District. The Kent district was created around 1860 and later merged with
7296-449: The Franklin Township and Brady Lake school districts in 1959. It serves most of Kent and Franklin Township, the village Sugar Bush Knolls and a small part of southern Streetsboro . Kent has four neighborhood elementary schools that serve students in grades K–5 , Stanton Middle School for grades 6–8, and Theodore Roosevelt High School for grades 9–12. The district also operates a preschool program housed at Davey Elementary School, and
7424-413: The Gem of the Ocean "; " God Bless America "; " America the Beautiful "; " My Country, 'Tis of Thee "; " This Land Is Your Land "; " Stars and Stripes Forever "; " Yankee Doodle "; " God Bless the U.S.A. " and " Dixie " (in southern states); " Lift Every Voice and Sing "; and occasionally (but has nominally fallen out of favor), " Hail Columbia ". Some of the lyrics recall images of the Revolutionary War or
7552-401: The KSU campus and KSU property in and out of the Kent city limits. The two departments frequently communicate and for several years were headed by identical twin brothers: James Peach in the city and John Peach at the university. The fire department operates two stations, the main station adjacent to the Safety Administration Building and the West Side Fire Station along North Mantua Street on
7680-415: The Kent City School District, as well as University Hospitals Portage Medical Center , which operates an outpatient surgery center and general medical facility. 19.4% of the workforce is employed in arts, entertainment, and food service, with 11.2% employed in retail. Manufacturing accounts for 8.6% of the workforce with a Land O' Lakes plant being the largest employer in the sector. Smithers-Oasis ,
7808-489: The Kent Industrial District along with Heritage Park and includes sites related to the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal. Adjacent on the south is the John Brown Tannery Park, on the site of the former tannery John Brown helped fund with Zenas Kent in the 1830s, while Brady's Leap park, adjacent to the north, is at the location of the famed leap over the Cuyahoga River by Captain Samuel Brady circa 1780. The parks and recreation department, in addition to operating and maintaining
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#17328526838507936-400: The May 4 Visitors' Center, which covers the shootings and the events surrounding them. It is housed in Taylor Hall on the site added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 and includes three galleries covering art and media from the era of the 1960s leading up to the shootings, images from the actual event, and the local and national impact after the shootings. The center opened to
8064-412: The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. To preserve the historic dam, a small park was built behind the dam and the river was rerouted through the old canal lock. During warm-weather months, water is pumped over the dam. The park, known as Heritage Park, was formally dedicated in May 2005. From 1881 to 2016, downtown Kent was home to a flour mill, housed in a complex originally built from 1880 to 1881 by
8192-425: The Portage Park District, and the city of Ravenna. The main portion of the trail follows the Cuyahoga River in Kent with most of the trail paved with asphalt. In August 2012, as part of several redevelopment projects in the downtown area, Kent State University began construction of the Esplanade Extension, which was completed in August 2013 and connects the university's portion of trail extending to Dix Stadium, known as
8320-417: The Seneca Chain Company in 1909 led to the creation of the Kent Board of Trade—an early Chamber of Commerce—which was successful in getting Kent selected in 1910 as the site of what would become Kent State University. Changes in the structure of the railroad and declines in the manufacturing sector during the mid-20th century combined with the rapid growth of Kent State University following World War II led to
8448-472: The United States ($ 75,149). The mean household income in Kent was $ 67,640, compared to $ 90,958 for Ohio and $ 105,833 for the U.S. For families, the mean income in Kent was $ 100,435 with a median income of $ 97,250, both of which were closer to the state ($ 86,508 mean, $ 110,726 median) and national ($ 92,646 mean, $ 124,530 median) averages. 25.5% of the population is below the poverty line , including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over. While
8576-526: The United States because it corresponds to its Independence Day, and this day was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until 1962. In 1964, the name of the July 4 holiday was changed to Republic Day. Rebild National Park in Denmark is said to hold the largest July 4 celebrations outside of the United States. While not an Independence Day celebration by any means, the city of Trois-Rivières , Quebec , Canada celebrates its founding every July 4, having been founded on July 4, 1634. Trois-Rivières
8704-510: The United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States. During the American Revolution , the legal separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain's rule. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to
8832-440: The University Esplanade extension, designed to link campus with downtown, started in August 2012 after several of the buildings in the area, most of which had been rental homes, were demolished or moved. The Esplanade extension continued a segment of the Portage Hike and Bike Trail that extends to Dix Stadium and was completed in October 2013. Kent State constructed a $ 48 million, 110,091 square feet (10,227.8 m ) facility for
8960-406: The University Esplanade, to downtown Kent. The trail connects with the hike and bike trails in neighboring Summit County and links Kent with nearby communities in Portage County. The city is also home to the Cooperrider-Kent Bog State Nature Preserve , located in the southern edge of Kent. It is one of the most intact bogs in Ohio, with the southernmost and largest stand of tamarack trees in
9088-440: The Williams brothers and later acquired by the Star of the West Milling Company. The mill closed in 2016 after Star of the West consolidated operations to Willard, Ohio , and the complex was sold to a local developer in 2019. On the morning of December 2, 2022, part of the complex caught fire. In addition to the Kent Fire Department, 11 additional area fire departments and multiple other agencies responded. The fire destroyed part of
9216-578: The age of 25 had obtained a college degree compared to 31.4% of the same population in Portage County, 30.4% statewide, and 34.3% nationally. Kent's location along the Cuyahoga River and later the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal and multiple railroad lines made it attractive initially for the establishment of small gristmills for the production of flour and various factories. Progressively larger factories later developed due to increased power available from
9344-474: The area and began constructing buildings just north of the village forming the "Upper Village" that would come to be known briefly as Carthage. In the 1820s, Franklin Mills was included in the route of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal (P & O Canal). When construction began on the canal in the mid-1830s, land speculation was rampant in many areas of northeast Ohio along the canal, including Franklin Mills. As
9472-408: The area due to its location along the Cuyahoga River as a place for water-powered mills. Later development came in the 1830s and 1840s as a result of the settlement's position along the route of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal . Leading up to the American Civil War , Franklin Mills was noted for its activity in the Underground Railroad . With the decline of the canal and the emergence of the railroad,
9600-401: The area, including his famous leap of 21 feet (6 m) over the Cuyahoga River to avoid capture by an unknown band of American Indians. The site, known as Brady's Leap, is now a city park. Settlement by Europeans began in the late 1790s and early 19th century. As part of the Connecticut Western Reserve , the area was divided into survey townships in 1798 and almost all of what is now Kent
9728-532: The budget, 8% or $ 3.33 million towards general government expenses, and $ 2.35 million allocated for construction of a new police station. At the state level, Kent is in the 72nd district of the Ohio House of Representatives , represented since 2021 by Republican Gail Pavliga , of Atwater . In the State Senate , Kent is part of the 28th district, represented since 2022 by Democrat Vernon Sykes of Akron . At
9856-557: The celebration. The highest ever were in Salem, Massachusetts , with pyramids composed of as many as forty tiers of barrels. These made some of the tallest bonfires ever recorded. The custom flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries and is still practiced in some New England and northeastern towns. Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs, such as " The Star-Spangled Banner " (the American national anthem ); " Columbia,
9984-424: The cemetery, and performed experiments on trees. In 1901, he published his theories on tree surgery with his book The Tree Doctor , and later established the Davey Tree Expert Company in 1909. The efforts of Davey and the presence of Davey Tree led to the establishment of "The Tree City" as a nickname for Kent, which is reflected in the city's seal. The company continues to be headquartered in Kent and serves as
10112-431: The change from a mayor-council system to council-manager in 1975 and it went into effect in 1977. Jerry Fiala began his term as mayor January 1, 2010, and Dave Ruller began serving as city manager June 15, 2005. As part of the city government, Kent also has departments of community development, health, human services, law, parks and recreation, public safety, and public service. The Public Service Department oversees
10240-460: The city and are often used as unofficial mascots and symbols. In early May 1970, protests began on the campus of Kent State University over the United States' invasion of Cambodia in the Vietnam War . These protests and demonstrations, which included rioting in downtown Kent on May 2, culminated in the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, where four students were killed and nine were wounded by
10368-558: The city and university the 2013 Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town–Gown Association in recognition of the positive town–gown cooperation and collaboration. Additional development has been ongoing on the campus of Kent State University and the largely residential neighborhood located between downtown Kent and the western edge of campus. The university began buying properties in that neighborhood in 2007 and by December 2012 had acquired 43. Construction of
10496-482: The city has a total area of 9.28 square miles (24.04 km ), of which 9.17 square miles (23.75 km ) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km ) is water. Kent's climate is classified as a humid continental climate in the Dfa Köppen climate classification meaning it typically has very warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters with moderate and variable spring and autumn seasons. The record high temperature
10624-581: The city's largest private employer. After a fire destroyed the Seneca Chain Company in 1909, one of the city's main industries at the time, city leaders created the Kent Board of Trade in 1910, a forerunner to the Chamber of Commerce. The new Board was successful later that year in having Kent selected out of twenty northeastern Ohio cities as the site of a new teacher training college, which became known as
10752-457: The city's parks and preserves, also operates a recreation center on the city's south side and offers several sports, arts, and education programs at various locations in Kent. The department also sponsors events throughout the year including Art in the Park, an ice-skating party, hayrides, and Santa's Arrival. The Kent City School District operates an indoor pool at Theodore Roosevelt High School that
10880-568: The city's water was named "Best Tasting Municipality Water" at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting . The water and mayor Kathleen Chandler were featured on the March 3 episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno . Since then, Kent has placed in the top five a total of six times with the most recent being a fifth-place finish in 2011. In 2003, the 1836 arch dam was bypassed to meet water quality standards set by
11008-678: The continental United States. Through partnerships with Kent State University Recreational Services and other local agencies, additional recreational opportunities are available to city residents. A livery known as Crooked River Adventures is available at Tannery Park. The livery generally operates from May to October depending on weather and water levels. Canoe, kayak, tubing, and bicycle rentals are available to residents and students with kayak and canoe service as far as Brust Park in Munroe Falls and Water Works Park in Cuyahoga Falls . Kent also has
11136-526: The downtown area adjacent to and under the Greer Bridge of Haymaker Parkway . The location is marked by a commissioned mural completed in October 2012 on the two bridge supports that line each side of the market's area. The market was established in 1992 and includes over 40 vendors, making it one of the oldest and largest farmers' markets in Northeast Ohio. An indoor Winter Market, established in 2008,
11264-507: The downtown area. The United States Geological Survey lists the city's elevation at 1,056 feet (322 m) above sea level at a point near Kent's geographic center. Elevations vary slightly within the city limits with several buildings on the Kent State University campus at altitudes in excess of 1,160 feet (350 m) and points as high as 1,200 feet (370 m). According to the United States Census Bureau , as of 2010
11392-584: The east and Sugar Bush Knolls and Streetsboro to the north. It is included in the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area and the larger Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area . Located on the western end of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau , the topography of Kent includes rolling hills and varied terrain. The Cuyahoga River passes through the city, cutting a gorge with a drop of nearly 40 feet (10 m) adjacent to
11520-738: The evening, at such places as parks, harbors, off of boats, sporting venues, fairgrounds, public shorelines, or town squares. Decorations (e.g., streamers, balloons, and clothing) are generally colored red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag , and many homes and businesses will decorate their properties with miniature American flags. The night before the Fourth was once the focal point of celebrations, marked by raucous gatherings, often incorporating bonfires as their highlight. In New England , towns competed to build towering pyramids, assembled from barrels and casks. They were lit at nightfall to usher in
11648-496: The former Franklin Hotel , first opened in 1920, was added to the NRHP in 2013 for its local historical significance and its connections to notable people. The former L.N. Gross Company Building , built in 1928 and designed by Kent architect Charles Kistler, was added to the NRHP in 2016 as part of its restoration and renovation. As the home of Kent State University, Kent is also the home of
11776-502: The homecoming festivities for Kent State University, including a parade down East Main Street as well as other events and activities both on campus and around the city. Also in October, the downtown area hosts an annual, yet unofficial, Halloween celebration, which usually takes place the last Saturday of October. The event typically draws thousands, largely Kent State students, and includes many who dress in costume. In 2007 Main Street Kent,
11904-483: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Franklin_Mills&oldid=932831114 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Kent, Ohio Kent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County . It
12032-659: The main campus and a branch at each of the seven regional campuses. The library system is a member of the Association of Research Libraries , one of three in Ohio and 124 in North America . The university offers over 300 programs of study combined in the undergraduate and graduate levels and serves over 41,000 students in eight campuses across Northeast Ohio with over 26,000 at the main campus in Kent. Independence Day (United States) Independence Day , known colloquially as
12160-447: The median age was in 2020 was 23.8 years, which was well below both the median age for Ohio (39.9) and the United States (38.5). The city's population was 46.4% male and 53.6% female. The rate differs slightly from the national average of 49.5% male and 50.5% female and the state average of 49.2% male and 50.8% female. The median income for a household in the city was $ 37,505, well below the median household incomes for Ohio ($ 65,720) and
12288-409: The most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to
12416-415: The national averages for diversity, Kent has similar racial percentages as Ohio and slightly higher minority percentages than Portage County. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, the city saw slight increases in the number of minority residents. There were 10,225 households in 2020, out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.5% were married couples living together, 12.5% had
12544-501: The new home to the Kent location of Buffalo Wild Wings and also houses offices, a wine and jazz bar, and apartments. A five-story mixed-use building called The Landmark was completed in 2014 and construction started in November 2015 on an additional five-story mixed-use building featuring microapartments , scheduled to be completed in 2016. The developments attracted the attention of The Plain Dealer and The New York Times and earned
12672-671: The new parking garage, operated by the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA) opened April 30, 2013, as the Kent Central Gateway. In addition to parking, the facility functions as PARTA's main bus transfer station and has storefronts on the ground level facing East Erie Street. Included in the redevelopment was the purchase and renovation of the old Kent hotel , which first opened in 1920. After being mostly vacant since 1979 and completely vacant since 2000, it re-opened on April 1, 2013, as
12800-419: The next year, and built a gristmill in 1807. Initial growth in the area was slow, but eventually two small villages would develop due to the potential for power generated by the Cuyahoga River that could be used in gristmills and manufacturing. The first village, known as Franklin Mills, or locally as the "Lower Village", developed mostly around the original Haymaker property. In 1818, Joshua Woodard arrived in
12928-402: The north closer to Lake Erie . While temperatures below the freezing point are typical in the winter months, thaw periods where temperatures exceed 50 °F (10 °C) and even 60 °F (16 °C) are not uncommon in January and February. As a college town , Kent's demographic and population statistics are greatly affected by the presence and growth of Kent State University. As
13056-517: The northeastern United States and were largely of German descent. After the arrival of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad in 1863, growth was steady into the early 20th century with the village battling Ravenna for the position of Portage County's largest city. By the 1930 Census, Kent had passed Ravenna as the county's most populous city with even larger population growth in the 1950s and 1960s rising from 12,148 in 1950 to 28,183 by 1970. As of
13184-424: The number of individuals below the poverty line is significantly higher than both the state and national averages, measures of high poverty rates in similar college towns, however, is not uncommon across the U.S. Educationally, Kent is above the national, state, and local averages for residents who have attained a bachelor's, master's, or above a master's degree. At the 2020 Census, 44.5% of Kent's population above
13312-455: The original 1881 mill building and the grain elevator, built in 1890, and damaged other parts of the complex. The adjacent taller white silos, built in 1936, were not damaged. Beginning in 2008, several redevelopment projects in the downtown area, some of which had been discussed for decades, were put into motion and resulted in nearly $ 110 million (~$ 153 million in 2023) in total investment from public and private sources. The first of these
13440-644: The other, from this time forward forever more. Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress. Historians have long disputed whether members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that
13568-524: The post-Civil War and early 20th century periods. The district includes the Kent Masonic Center , which was originally built in the early 1880s as the home of Marvin Kent and his family, and the former residence of Martin L. Davey , who served as Governor of Ohio . Buildings in Kent listed on the register include three private homes noted for their architecture styles: the John Davey House for
13696-409: The presence of the university, particularly the median age, median income, and those living below the poverty level. The city is governed by a council-manager system with a city manager , a nine-member city council, and a mayor. Kent has nearly 20 parks and preserves and hosts a number of annual festivals including ones related to Earth Day , folk music, and the U.S. Independence Day . In addition to
13824-519: The program led to the university approving expansion of the facility in 2021, with a new 44,000 square feet (4,100 m ) addition scheduled to be completed in 2023. The university is also constructing Crawford Hall, a new facility for the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, set to open in 2024. The city and county have also seen developments in the same area. A new county municipal courthouse on East Main Street
13952-643: The public October 20, 2012, during the Kent State Homecoming weekend. The site was named a National Historic Landmark in December 2016. In addition to the Kent State Shootings Site near the center of campus, there are also a number of additional sites and districts in Kent on the National Register of Historic Places, some of which are open to the public. The Kent Industrial District is
14080-498: The public which is scheduled to be complete in 2025. Most of the land was annexed from Franklin Township and the rest was obtained from the site of the former Franklin Elementary School. As of 2020, 67.6% of those employed commuted alone to work by way of a car, truck, or van with another 4.9% carpooling . 8.2% of workers walked to work with 1.4% using public transportation and 16.8% working from home. The average commute time
14208-433: The railroad would play an important part of Kent's industry and development through the early 20th century before the shops were completely shut down in 1930. To honor Marvin Kent, the village was renamed Kent in 1864, although this change was not official until the village was incorporated on May 6, 1867. John Davey came to Kent in 1881 as head grounds keeper at Standing Rock Cemetery, and planted several trees, landscaped
14336-554: The remnants of Hurricane Ike in September 2008. During the winter months, snowfall is common and can occur in large quantities with considerable cloud cover . Kent is not considered part of the Lake Erie snowbelt , though lake-effect snow does occur at times. The city is in what is referred to as the "secondary snowbelt", meaning it will receive heavier snowfall totals from lake-effect snow when certain wind directions are more prevalent, but typically sees far less snowfall than areas to
14464-560: The river and eventually due to the ease and lower cost of transportation of goods to other markets. During the latter half of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, the city's largest employers were all industrially based, including the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad and its successors, which operated its main maintenance shops in the village; the Seneca Chain Company; and bus manufacturer Twin Coach among others. A disastrous fire at
14592-504: The site of the May 4, 1970 Kent State shootings . Historically a manufacturing center, education is the city's largest economic sector with Kent State University being the city's, and one of the region's, largest employers. The Kent City School District and the Kent Free Library provide additional education opportunities and resources. Many of Kent's demographic elements are influenced by
14720-600: The southeastern part of the city. The campus itself occupies 866 acres (350 ha) and the university owns thousands of additional acres adjacent to the campus. Additional facilities include a research park and golf course just east of the city limits in Franklin Township and the Kent State University Airport , just west of Kent in Stow . Founded in 1910 as a teacher training institution, the university has become
14848-426: The town became the home of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad maintenance shops through the influence of Marvin Kent . In 1864 the town was renamed Kent in honor of and in gratitude for Marvin Kent's efforts. It was incorporated as a village in 1867 and became a city after the 1920 Census . Today Kent is a college town best known as the home of the main campus of Kent State University , founded in 1910, and as
14976-569: The university becoming the city's largest employer and influenced the development of other areas of the city's economy. Beginning in the late first decade of the 21st century, the university, along with the city and private investors, began to play a more active role in the redevelopment of downtown Kent and has aided in the development of local high tech companies. Kent State operates Centennial Research Park, along Ohio State Route 59 in Kent's Joint Economic Development District with Franklin Township, which houses two high tech start-up companies in
15104-749: The university's athletic teams, the Golden Flashes , who compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference East Division. Several of Kent State's teams have enjoyed league and national success, the most notable being the men's basketball team's run to the Elite Eight in the 2002 NCAA Tournament and the baseball team's appearance in
15232-486: The village, partnering with Zenas Kent to build a tannery along the Cuyahoga River. In 1863 the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad was constructed through Franklin Mills, due largely to the efforts of local businessman Marvin Kent , son of Zenas Kent. Marvin Kent had started his own railroad company, the Franklin and Warren Railroad , in 1851 after Franklin Mills, already home to several Kent family ventures and properties,
15360-449: The western side of the Cuyahoga River. Kent Fire also provides fire and emergency medical service coverage for Franklin Township and the village of Sugar Bush Knolls. The city's main sources of tax revenue come from income tax , set at 2.25%, and property tax . Voters approved an increase in the income tax rate from 2.0% in November 2013 to fund a new police station and the new rate took effect January 1, 2014. The rate increase includes
15488-500: Was 21.7 minutes. The employment rate for Kent in 2020 was 56.9% Cultural elements in Kent include various arts, environmental, and entertainment events during the year, as well as the Kent State University Museum. The Kent Heritage Festival is held every July in the downtown area, coinciding with the U.S. Independence Day . The festival includes crafts, booths, entertainment, train rides, 5K and 10K races, and fireworks, drawing approximately 25,000 people each year. In October, Kent hosts
15616-851: Was also the site of the final battle of the American Revolutionary War that was fought on Quebec soil in June 1776, the Battle of Trois-Rivières , which was also a part of the Continental Army's failed American Invasion of Quebec . Following a defeat at the hands of the British, the Continental Army retreated to Fort Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu , Quebec, and then to Fort Ticonderoga in Ticonderoga , New York, before permanently ceasing their invasion of Quebec in July 1776. In
15744-473: Was bypassed by the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad that same year. Kent was also successful in getting the village named as the location of the railroad's maintenance yards and shops in 1864. The geographic location along the railroad and being home to the shops reinvented and revitalized the village as an important stop on the east–west line between St. Louis and New York City . The shops would open in 1865 and
15872-477: Was completed in April 2014, and in 2015, Kent City Council approved the sale of the city hall complex to a private developer for construction of a five-story apartment building on the site, which opened in August 2016. A new city hall is being constructed on the site of the previous police station, a building that was originally built as the main fire station and was also used for city hall various times. The new city hall
16000-566: Was originally part of Town 3 Range 9, which would eventually be known as Franklin Township . Aaron Olmsted , a wealthy Connecticut merchant, had purchased the 16,000-acre (6,500 ha) township and named it for his son Aaron Franklin Olmsted. Franklin Township was surveyed in 1803 and settled in November 1805 when John Haymaker and his family moved west from Warren to the banks of the Cuyahoga River. They were joined by John's brother George and their father Jacob Haymaker and their families early
16128-590: Was renting in a three-story private home at 700 Market Street in Philadelphia , now known as the Declaration House, and within walking distance of Independence Hall . Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, removing Jefferson's vigorous denunciation of King George III for importing the slave trade , finally approving it two days later on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail : The second day of July 1776, will be
16256-530: Was signed into law by Ohio governor and Kent native Martin L. Davey , son of tree surgeon John Davey. During the 1950s and 1960s the growth of Kent State University combined with the effects of suburbanization resulted in significant population growth for the city, rising from just over 12,000 residents at the 1950 census to over 28,000 by 1970. Black squirrels were brought to the campus from Canada in 1961 by Kent State University head groundskeeper Larry Woodell. The squirrels have become an icon for both KSU and
16384-474: Was the Phoenix Project, a development privately financed by Kent resident Ron Burbick that renovated and expanded a section of commercial space along East Main Street. Included in the project was construction of a pedestrian alleyway lined with small shops, eventually known as Acorn Alley, which opened in 2009. A second phase of Acorn Alley opened in late 2011. Other aspects of the redevelopment, which include
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