BARBERTON

Barberton, Ohio, is known as the Magic City. Though the term originally arose because of the city’s extremely rapid population spike in the industrial years of the early 1900s, it keeps true to that name today. The nickname is commemorated in the Magic City Drive-In Theater, which has been showing the latest flicks since 1953. Today, a special projection booth shows off movies on two separate screens and links up with drivers’ radios so they can enjoy the full picture.

The Magical Theater Company is also an ode to the town’s roots. The award-winning company offers productions of plays and touring shows from professional actors who come from Broadway and Hollywood. It also hosts educational programming and camps for kids who want to get involved in the theatre business. 

Magic also surrounds the beautiful, 15,000-year-old glacial kettle lake in the northeast area of the city. Urban myths have surrounded Lake Anna for decades. One popular legend is that the lake is bottomless. Another myth is that Anna Barber, the daughter of Ohio C. Barber, who founded Barberton, drowned in the lake. The Barberton Historical Society dispels that, saying she was not even in Ohio when she passed away. Today, the 10-acre lake and 21-acre park built around it serve as the recreational center of Barberton. Bands hold concerts by the gazebo, and there are plenty of beautiful walking paths. 

There are also plenty of places to create magical memories with your family in Barberton. Danusia Casteel teaches kids and adults to ride horses and even arrange horse or pony birthday parties. If you’re in for a more expert setting, professionals breed and train sport horses for competition at the renowned Aptitude Dressage and Sporthorses. 

Diamond Match Party Center is an event center that bears the honor of recognition by the National Register of Historic Places. It started in 1898 as the Diamond Match Pattern Shop, part of Barberton’s founder’s industrial complex. The match shop relocated to Barberton so the matches could be shipped out by canal, rather than by railroad where it was a fire hazard. Today, the building is used for parties, fundraisers, weddings, and corporate events.

There are many places here that can get your tastebuds tingling. For lunch, stop by Dee 50’s Place Diner. The family joint offers all-you-can-eat selections like spaghetti with salad and garlic bread or fish with french fries and slaw for a great price. If you’re looking for a local staple for dinner, check out Devore’s Hopocan Gardens. The place has been cranking out the perfect deep-fried chicken since 1942. Or if you’re interested in some fantastic Mexican cuisine, hand-crafted Margarita flights, and incredible desert, El Jalapenos is the place for you. To finish off your night, stop for a drink and some live music at Block 7 Bar and Grill, or grab a couple of the 18 locally-brewed craft beers at M and M’s Tap House.

ProPrecise Property Inspection is a veteran-owned family business. We’re proud to have served our country, and now we’re proud to serve our friends and neighbors in our community. We go above and beyond for every client, using the latest technology for all of your home inspection needs.