Barberton

Barberton, city, Summit county, northeastern Ohio, U.S., just south of Akron, on the Tuscarawas River, there dammed to form the Portage Lakes. It was founded in 1890 by Ohio C. Barber as the new site of his match factory (later the Diamond Match Company), which had been established in 1867 in Akron. Manufactures now include chemicals, heavy boilers, rubber goods, metal and iron products, and insulated pipe. Lake Anna, a small glacial lake near the city’s centre, is the focus of many civic events and recreational activities. A local deposit of limestone more than 345 feet (105 metres) thick located 0.5 miles (0.8 km) below the surface of the Earth has one of the deepest mines of its kind in the world. The cherry blossom and chrysanthemum festivals (May and September, respectively) are popular annual events. The city also has an indoor water park. Inc. city, 1892. Pop. (2000) 27,899; (2010) 26,550.