Community Spotlight: Rittman lives up to its motto: ‘A small town with a big heart’

Ask residents of Rittman to describe their city, and they just might recite the local motto: “A small town with a big heart.”

This quaint semirural community prides itself on being close-knit, and according to the U.S. census, the great majority of its households contain families.

The city was carved from the original Milton Township, which wraps around Rittman on two sides. Within Milton is Sterling, a 19th century unincorporated hamlet whose name lives on in businesses, roads and a fire district.

Location

Located along the northern border of Wayne County, a small part of Rittman reaches into neighboring Medina County.

Highlights

• Rittman had several early names, including Ellio, Milton Station, New Prospect and then Arkona. But after the railroad came through, people found Arkona too confusing with the city of Akron being so near. The village was renamed for Fred Rittman, the treasurer of the B&O Railroad, which ran a line through town in 1871. Today, the city remains the only “Rittman” in the United States.

• Rittman's early economy grew up around the train stations, and largely consisted of grist mills, tile makers, wagon builders and tobacco farming.

• The discovery of salt deposits in Rittman in 1897 led to the founding of Wayne Salt, which became Ohio Salt, which became Morton Salt. Today, Morton Salt on South Industrial Avenue is one of the city’s major employers.

Attractions

Please note: As the area recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are altering their hours of operation. Be aware that the information reported in this list may change.

• Bauman Orchards operates a large farmers market at 161 Rittman Ave., as well as a second convenient Corner Market at the crossroads of state Routes 585 and 57 — both in Rittman. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On June 11 and 18, the larger market will hold its annual Strawberry Festival. The event features food trucks, music, pony rides, face painting and a pick-your-own berry patch. Learn more at baumanorchards.com.

• Rittman officials will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the city’s new William J. Robertson Nature Preserve at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at 85 Morning Star Drive. The preserve is 200 acres and features handicap-accessible trails and kayak launch as well as pavilions and a boardwalk.

• The Depot is a favorite of locals at 80 Grant St. in Rittman and features traditional breakfast and lunch fare. Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• For lunch, dinner or evening drinks, try BG’s Main Event, a family-owned sports bar and grill at 124 S Main St. in Rittman. The menu ranges from steaks and burgers to seafood and sandwiches. Open seven days a week; check bgsmainevent.com for hours.

• The Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road in Rittman, encompasses 273 acres with more than 45,000 interments and is administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

• The County Line Bike Trail is an asphalt path that runs 6.7 miles from Rittman to Creston. Find the Rittman trailhead at the intersection of Grant and Ohio streets. A map is available at waynecountytrails.org/TrailMaps.htm.

• Martin Fritz Memorial Park is on Industrial Boulevard near Brookside Drive in Rittman. In addition to a pavilion and some playground equipment, the park is home to the city’s ballfields and a Frisbee golf course. In the winter, it’s also a popular sled-riding destination.

• Salt & Honey, 78A N. Main St. in Rittman, is a Christian-themed gift and apparel store featuring modest clothing, music, home decor and conservative gifts. Visit Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Go to salt-honey.com.

• Rylon Printing, 8 N. Main St., offers everything from embroidery and screen print to custom designs, images and logos. Learn more or order online at rylonprinting.com.

• Sterling Farm Equipment, 13893 Kauffman Ave. in Sterling, has been supplying local farms since the 1950s. The venerable business has expanded its showrooms to two other locations, but the original remains in Sterling. Go to sterlingfarmstore.com.

• Nuestra Casa, 1005 E. Ohio Ave., serves up traditional Mexican favorites. Open seven days a week; check out its Facebook page for hours and news: facebook.com/Nuestra-Casa-Mexican-Restaurant-317109438842989.

• Creative Images Florist & Gift has been serving the area for more than 35 years with high-end and custom floral designs. See its flowers and uniqugift ideas in person at 12 S. Main St. in Rittman, Monday through Saturday. Or check out the inventory at rittmanflorist.com.

• Rufener’s Furniture, 137 E. Ohio Ave. in Rittman, was founded in 1957 and specializes in furniture, flooring installations, and bedding products for homes and offices. Check out their showroom Monday through Saturday, or view the details at rufenersfurniture.com.

About 

Founded: The township was settled in 1814. Rittman became a city in 1960.

Population: Rittman, 6,500; Milton Township and Sterling, 3,000

School and mascot: Rittman Exempted Village School District, the Indians; and  Norwayne Local Schools, the Bobcats.

Websites: rittman.com; miltonsterling.org; miltonsterling.org

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Spotlight on quaint communities of Rittman, Sterling, Milton Township