Stow, Ohio : A City Guide

Stow Township (as it was originally known) was a small part of Connecticut's Western Reserve. Joshua Stow, a Revolutionary War veteran from Middletown, CT, received the land as his "bonus". Connecticut was short on cash, and was paying her soldiers with land. Once the town was settled, Joshua Stow would return many times, but never lived here. In 1810, Ezra Wyatt built The Stow Tavern at the crossing of the stage lines from Cleveland to Pittsburgh and from Wooster to Warren. This was one of the best known stage coach houses of the era.

There was an Indian settlement by nearby Silver Lake. The early settlers had friendly relations with these Indians (about 500 members), inviting the Indians to their cabins, and in turn visiting them in their village. Most of the Indians moved west during the War of 1812, and they were all gone from this area by the 1860s.

Stow Township for many years was a farming community. Most of the farmers kept at least some milk cows, and dairying became a major industry, with milk, cheese, and butter all being produced. Sheep were also kept on the farms for a period of time. This was most profitable during the American Civil War as all of the Union soldiers' uniforms were made of wool. At the end of the 1800's, Stow's population was about 900 people. Stow's 2005 population was 34,404, making it the third largest city in Summit County. Stow shares a school system with Munroe Falls, Ohio: seven elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, and one high school. Their mascot is the bulldog and their colors are maroon and gold. Stow Munroe Falls High School is also home to the 2006 Division I Boys Soccer State Championship team. Stow has 410 acres of parkland which include 6 neighborhood parks, and 4 community parks. Park amenities offered include: softball/baseball complex, 2 soccer fields, several playgrounds, a campground and 8 miles of hike & bike trails.

More facts and tales about Stow's early history may be found in "The Bronson Book" and "Biographical and Historical Data of Stow," both of which are available at the Stow Munroe Falls Public Library.

Timeline of Stow, OH : Buildings, Roads, Developments (from the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library web site)

Bow Wow Beach, Stow's brand new dog park, has been available for use since May 26, 2007. The 7-1/2 acre fenced-in dog park is located at Silver Springs Park at 5027 Stow Road; Stow, OH 44224. Features include grassy park areas, and a sandy beach off of a 3 acre lake. Dogs are welcome (in fact encouraged!) to use the lake, although their owners are not. There are separate areas for small and large dogs, waste deposit stations, clean drinking water and a dog washing station. All dogs must be licensed and have the proper immunizations, and any dog that shows aggression must be removed from the area immediately. Owners are liable for their dogs, and owners must have the dog's leash with them at all times. For additional information about Bow Wow Beach, contact the Stow Parks and Recreation Department at (330) 689-5100.

Stow is home to a wonderful regional resource. Nearby Kent State University's airport is located in the southeast corner of our city.

It is a public airport located on State Route 59 (4020 Kent Road; Stow, OH 44224). The airport was first opened in 1920, and was known as the Stow Aviation Field. The airport is operated by Kent State University, and, in addition to being a public airport, the KSU Airport is used in the College of Technology's Aeronautics program which provides flight training and other professional aeronautical training. The airport also operates a Flight Clinic for the general public who are interested in attaining private pilot instruction.

To commemorate Ohio's bicentennial as a state in 2003, artist Scott Hagan was commissioned to paint the Ohio bicentennial logo on at least one barn in each of Ohio's eighty-eight counties. The project started in 1997, and was completed in 2002. One of the criteria for the barns selected was visibility, they needed to be near a freeway, or major thoroughfare. The barn for Summit County is located in Stow, on State Route 8, just north of Graham Road. The diversity of the barns and even the logos is now part of Ohio history and tourism. (All of the barns survived to the bicentennial celebration in 2003, except for the Ottawa County barn, which was destroyed by a tornado in 1998. A second barn was selected in Ottawa County and it was painted in 2001.)

Summit County's Bicentennial Barn is in Stow

Listing of all Bicentennial Barns in Ohio

Bicentennial Barn Project Home Page

In February of 2006, the City of Stow became the proud owner of Fox Den Golf Course, a 6,518 yard, par-72 course located on the southeast corners of Call and Young Roads in Stow.

The golf course is operated by the city's Parks and Recreation Department, but, they retained key personnel from when it was privately owned to continue the quality of tradition that residents and visitors have come to expect from this beautiful golf course.

Fox Den features: 18-hole municipal golf course, driving range, snack bar, Pro Shop, clubhouse, and golf instruction available.
2770 Call Road; Stow, Ohio 44224
(330) 673-3443 or (888) 231-4693

The Stow Sentry, published by Record Publishing, is the Stow newspaper. It's published twice a week (Wednesday and Sunday) and covers local events, news, and people.

Stow Sentry on-line