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One of the many good things about Kent is the city's size. Nearly
30,000 residents live in Kent, making it the largest city in
Portage County. The original "Tree City U.S.A.," Kent is big enough
to offer plenty of amenities but small enough so you can know your
neighbors and get around easily.
It's also hard to miss Kent's beauty. Situated on the hilly banks
of the "crooked river," the Cuyahoga, the city boasts lovely trees
and gardens, as well as 11 city parks encompassing more than 100
acres.
No matter what the season, there is always something interesting to
see and do in and around Kent. Every July, Kent's Heritage Fest
offers a marathon race, food stands, crafts and live music
performed in the center of town. In the fall, Kent State
University's homecoming and the Black Squirrel Festival give cause
for celebration. In February, musicians come from all over the
world for the University's annual folk festival, and spring brings
the Festival of Trees to celebrate the beauty of the Cuyahoga
River.
Business was a factor in Kent's founding and continues to grow
today. Kent's oldest firms, the Williams Brothers Mill and the
Davey Tree Expert Company, have thrived for generations. More
recently, Kent has supported a wide range of businesses, including
national and international corporations and the world headquarters
of a Fortune 500 company.
Kent's location in northeast Ohio is enhanced by its proximity to
major cities and thoroughfares. Founded in 1805 as part of the
Connecticut Western Reserve, the city of Kent is located 39 miles
south of Cleveland and 10 miles east of Akron. Interstate 76,
located three miles south of the city, and I-80 (Ohio Turnpike),
located seven miles north, provide easy access to the rest of Ohio
and the nation. Air service is available at Akron-Canton Airport
(25 miles) and Cleveland's Hopkins International Airport (45
miles).
Of interesting note is that the city originally was called Franklin
Mills but was changed in the 1860s to honor Marvin Kent, whose
influence brought the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad's shops
to the city that fostered its growth.
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