Kent, Ohio

Kent is a city located in Portage County, Ohio. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 27,906. Kent is home to the main campus of Kent State University.

History

Kent was originally settled in 1805 by John Haymaker, who moved west from Pittsburgh and settled on the banks of the Cuyahoga River. After Haymaker built a gristmill, two villages quickly sprung up. The "upper" village was named Carthage and the "lower" village was named Franklin Mills.

Related Topics:
1805 - John Haymaker - Pittsburgh - Cuyahoga River - Gristmill

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When construction began on the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal in the 1830's, land speculation was rampant in many areas of Northeast Ohio along the canal, including Franklin Mills and Carthage. As a result of this, an industrial and business region was established along the river in what is now downtown Kent.

Related Topics:
Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal - 1830 - Northeast Ohio

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The era of the canal would be relatively short-lived. In 1863 a local businessman by the name of Marvin Kent was influential in bringing the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad through the village. The railroad reinvented the village as an important stop on the east-west line, and to honor Marvin Kent the village was renamed Kent in 1864. As for the canal, it could not compete with the speed and efficiency of the railroads, and it became virtually unused for shipping by 1870. Kent was officially incorporated as a village on May 6, 1867.

Related Topics:
1863 - Marvin Kent - Atlantic & Great Western Railroad - 1864 - 1870 - May 6 - 1867

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John Davey established the Davey Tree Company in 1880 after planting hundreds of trees around the city. Kent became known as the "Tree City".

Related Topics:
John Davey - Davey Tree Company - 1880

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In 1910, the "Kent State Normal School" was established as a college for training public school teachers. The school would later be renamed Kent State University after it is authorized to issue bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees.

Related Topics:
1910 - Kent State University - Bachelor of arts - Bachelor of science

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The 1930's brought the Great Depression and the closing of the railroads through Kent. By this time, however, KSU was firmly established and today nearly the entire Kent economy is in some way associated with Kent State University.

Related Topics:
1930 - Great Depression

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On May 4, 1970, four students were killed and nine were wounded by the National Guard at the Kent State shootings.

Related Topics:
May 4 - 1970 - Kent State shootings

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