Hartville History
Hartville, located in Lake Township, Stark County at the intersection of Ohio state routes 619 and 43 is a thriving village of 2,122 people. At one time the village was nicknamed “Crossroads for Industry.” The name Hartville came from two early settler's John MoreHART and John WILLis. The German name Willis was pronounced Villis. The first white men were hunters and trappers. The fertile soil of the area was soon sought after for grain, and feed, and the muck farms are famous for growing vegetables. Old growth timber and wild animals were plentiful. Soon, family farms surrounded the village. Today, many of the farms have been sold to create larger farming businesses and many have been divided into housing developments.
Early churches in the area were Methodist, Lutheran and Reformed. They were joined in 1904-05 by Amish and Mennonites. These groups gave a rich, Christian heritage to the area. To this day, churches are prevalent throughout the village and township. The Hartville Hotel, located on the north side of the square, now known as The Pantry, is the oldest standing structure in the village. It was built in 1829 (other accounts state 1838) as a hotel and tavern by John Morehart. Constructed primarily of logs hewn from the surrounding forests., the building remains intact, but remodeled so that the log construction no longer shows. John Willis was a business owner and the first postmaster.
In 1975, the Stewart family, officers of the Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad, helped the State of Ohio acquire their 720 historical acres and manor house which has become Quail Hollow State Park.
The railroad was instrumental in bringing prosperity to Hartville. Some of the businesses that flourished were Monarch Rubber, Asplin Baskets (later bought by Longaberger Basket Co.), Schumacher Lumber, Hartville Elevator and Economy Elevator. Retail businesses were established such as mills, banks, grocery and clothing stores. Although Tessmer's, a local
Early churches in the area were Methodist, Lutheran and Reformed. They were joined in 1904-05 by Amish and Mennonites. These groups gave a rich, Christian heritage to the area. To this day, churches are prevalent throughout the village and township. The Hartville Hotel, located on the north side of the square, now known as The Pantry, is the oldest standing structure in the village. It was built in 1829 (other accounts state 1838) as a hotel and tavern by John Morehart. Constructed primarily of logs hewn from the surrounding forests., the building remains intact, but remodeled so that the log construction no longer shows. John Willis was a business owner and the first postmaster.
In 1975, the Stewart family, officers of the Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad, helped the State of Ohio acquire their 720 historical acres and manor house which has become Quail Hollow State Park.
The railroad was instrumental in bringing prosperity to Hartville. Some of the businesses that flourished were Monarch Rubber, Asplin Baskets (later bought by Longaberger Basket Co.), Schumacher Lumber, Hartville Elevator and Economy Elevator. Retail businesses were established such as mills, banks, grocery and clothing stores. Although Tessmer's, a local