Community Spotlight: Tallmadge known for famed circle, fair

Folks passing through Tallmadge can’t help but drive through history. The city’s famed Tallmadge Circle, eight spokes that radiate from its central core, was laid out by town founder David Bacon in the early 19th century. It remains one of the most recognizable map landmarks in all of Ohio, with each road named for its respective compass direction.

But even as Tallmadge has held on to its storied roots, it has grown into a modern suburb with family-friendly neighborhoods, homegrown businesses and a fierce local pride.

Location

Tallmadge is on Summit County’s eastern border, surrounded by Akron, Mogadore, Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls, Stow, Kent and Brimfield Township.

Highlights

• Tallmadge was a dry community until the early 1990s. When the law was amended to allow limited alcohol sale, public consumption still remained illegal until 2001, when restaurants were finally permitted to sell it.

• Residents love their local baseball. The city had teams compete in the Little League World Series in 1974 and 2004. And the high school has won nine state championships in softball and baseball, most recently in 2017.

• Notable people from Tallmadge include Clara Driscoll, a lamp designer for Tiffany’s in New York; Sidney Edgerton, the first governor of the Montana Territory; and Dave Ziegler, who became general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders this year.

Attractions

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

• The famed Tallmadge Circle surrounds a nearly 5-acre park that holds a whole lot of history. Here you’ll find the First Congregational Church, built in 1825, and the Old Town Hall, from 1859.  Both facilities can be rented for personal and business use. (tallmadge-ohio.org). The park is also home to an 1889 Centennial Stone that commemorated the inauguration of President George Washington, a monument that once marked the site of the first cabin built in Tallmadge In 1807, and the Tallmadge Veterans Memorial.

• Delanie’s Grille, 67 West Ave., is a laid-back tavern with outdoor seating and a classic pub menu of burgers, wings and other casual fare. The restaurant was the first in Tallmadge to get a liquor license when voters ended the city’s long dry spell in 2001. Closed Sunday and Monday, Visit delaniesgrille.com for hours and a menu.

• Summit Racing Equipment is the largest marketer of automotive performance equipment in the world, but locals get to shop directly at the company’s large retail store. Located at 1200 Southeast Ave., the facility can be seen from Interstate 76. The store sells car parts, shop tools, apparel and more. Check out the inventory at summitracing.com.

• The Henry Bierce Supply Co., a mainstay in Tallmadge since 1910, recently moved out of its 19th century barn and into new digs on the same property, at 51 South Ave. In addition to the store’s hardware, hardscape, tool rental and masonry departments, visitors like to explore the indoor and outdoor displays. Closed on Sundays. Visit henrybierce.com for hours and inventory.

• The Family History Center, operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is where local genealogists head to research their family trees. Located at 106 E. Howe Road, the center is equipped with computers as well as microfilm and microfiche readers to help patrons sort through surname books, government records, obituaries and old directories from nearly every country. Look for the door on the far east side of the building near the ramp. Open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

• The Venue Banquet Center offers full-service catering and features private conference rooms in addition to banquet rooms for up to 350 guests. Get information at thevenuebanquets.com.

• Danny Boys is a Northeast Ohio chain of Italian eateries, with specialty pizzas and “house fave” entrees. The Tallmadge location is closed Mondays. Find hours and a menu at dannyboyspizza.com.

• The Summit County Fairgrounds is at 229 E. Howe Road. This year’s fair is over, but the grounds hosts events year-round, including craft shows, dog shows, motocross, military shows, roller derby, soap box derby rallies, vintage marts and more. Visit summitfair.com to see what’s happening this fall.

• If you’re looking for antiques, home accessories, jewelry and period furniture, try Abbey Ann’s or Viva Vintage. Abbey Ann’s, 51 West Ave., has been around for more than 30 years. It’s open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Viva Vintage is at 23 Carmen Road, and the store does frequent auctions. Follow them at facebook.com/VivaVintageUsa for auction info and store hours.

• Options for hikers in this area include Freedom Trail, a 4.2-mile trek between Kent and the circle. Start at 245 Northeast Ave. Bikes and pets welcomed. Or stroll through the Tallmadge Meadows section of Munroe Falls Metro Park. Begin at 1088 North Ave. and choose between two trails that weave through former County Home land acquired by Metro Parks in 2007.

• Sammie’s Bar and Grill, 498 South Ave., is a family-owned watering hole with traditional American and pub fare for lunch and dinner. Open seven days a week with weekday Happy Hour specials. sammiesbarandgrill.com

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• Seven Grains has been a locally owned natural market since 1998. Check out its natural and organic foods — from the deli department to produce and pantry. It's at 92 West Ave. and open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. six days a week and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Learn more at sevengrains.com.

• The Tallmadge Recreation Center, 46 N. Munroe Road, is a 100,000-square-foot fitness facility operated by the city. All ages are welcomed to its walking track, fitness equipment, athletic courts, as well as sports programs and leagues. It even offers a free one-week membership to try it out. Visit tallmadge-ohio.org/232/Recreation-Center to learn more.

• The city also operates the Maca Aquatic Center at 183 Maca Drive, located within Maca Park. The water park includes a lap pool, slides, splash zone and bucket dumps. There’s also shower room facilities, a full-service concession stand and seating under large shade umbrellas. Learn more at tallmadge-ohio.org/262/Maca-Memberships.

About Tallmadge

Founded: 1807

Population: 17,500

School and mascot: Tallmadge City Schools, the Blue Devils.

Website: tallmadge-ohio.org

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Community Spotlight: Tallmadge known for circle, Summit County Fair