About Ravenna, Ohio

A Proud History of Ravenna

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Benjamin Tappan, Jr. is recognized as the first permanent resident of Ravenna, which was founded in 1799. Tappan named the town after Ravenna, Italy, and it began to grow steadily over time. By 1846, the community had approximately 1,200 residents, along with four churches, ten stores, one private school, and two newspaper offices. During this period, Ravenna became renowned for the exceptional quality of the carriages manufactured within the town. Notably, Jesse Grant, a tanner and the father of President Ulysses S. Grant, resided in Ravenna during the early nineteenth century.

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Ravenna continued to expand during the late nineteenth century. By 1880, the town’s population had risen to 3,255, with nearly one-third of the residents being school-aged children. By 1890, the population increased slightly to 3,417. At this time, Ravenna had two newspapers, eight churches, two banks, and a variety of manufacturing businesses, many of which provided services or products to the surrounding agricultural community. The town's largest employers included the Quaker Mill Company, known for producing oatmeal, and the Ravenna Glass Company, which manufactured glass bottles. Due to its access to two railroads, Ravenna also emerged as a key agricultural hub, facilitating the shipment of crops across the United States.

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During World War II, Ravenna was home to the Ravenna Arsenal, which became the largest munitions production facility in the United States. The Arsenal employed over 14,000 Ohioans and operated across 1,371 buildings spanning 21,418 acres. The production of weapons at the facility continued until the end of World War II, after which the site transitioned to the production of fertilizer. With the onset of the Korean War, the Arsenal resumed munitions production under the Firestone Company. It ceased manufacturing arms in 1957 but resumed again during the Vietnam War. Today, much of the former Ravenna Arsenal complex is utilized as the Ohio National Guard’s Ravenna Training and Logistics Site.

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As of 2000, Ravenna was the fourth-largest community in Portage County, with a population of 11,771. The county has experienced significant population growth since the 1950s, and many residents commute to Cleveland for work.

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Information provided by Ohio History Connection.

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Learn more about Downtown Ravenna’s Historic District HERE.