Copley, Fairlawn and Bath offer shopping, dining,history and more

On Feb 6, 2022

George W. Davis

The Bath Township clock located in front of the Bath Township Museum at 1241 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road in Bath Township.

When it comes to history, business and family friendly communities, the city of Fairlawn and Bath and Copley townships shine brightly in western Summit County.

Portions of Copley, Bath and Fairlawn are geographically connected under an umbrella known as Montrose.

The Montrose retail strip along state Route 18 near Interstate 77 includes Summit Mall — Summit County’s only remaining shopping mall — and numerous shopping centers, restaurants and national big-box retail chains.

This corner of Summit County is ripe with history, growing businesses and plenty of things to do for residents and visitors.

Location

Fairlawn is the first city west of Akron and is loaded with retail and commercial businesses and dining locations, which spark most everyone’s taste buds. Besides Akron, the city is bordered by Copley and Bath townships.

Copley is bordered by Bath, the city of Norton and Sharon Township.

Bath is bordered by Richfield and Granger Township as well as Fairlawn and Copley.

Why is it called Montrose?

Historians suggest the name Montrose most likely was derived from wild roses growing near the elevated community, which blossomed into a busy retail area in the 1990s.

History

Copley has 20.8 square miles within its border and is the largest of Summit County’s nine townships, according to Janice Marshall, in her sixth year as full-time township administrator after 12 years as Copley’s fiscal officer.

In 1814, Civil War volunteer soldier Jonah Turner became the first settler, purchasing 321 acres for $900. The unincorporated community was founded in 1819 by Gardiner Greene, who purchased 16,531 acres for $26,087 in 1807 from the Connecticut Land Co., and was credited with naming the site in honor of his wife, Elizabeth Copley Greene. The locale was named Copley Centre in 1935 and changed to Copley Township in 1840 when it left Medina County and joined the newly chartered Summit County.

In 1904, the current town hall was built and became the first centralized school in Ohio. The Copley Historic Caboose and Depot, built in 1891, was listed on the Federal Register in 2001.

Fairlawn Mayor Bill Roth, in his 27th year as the city’s chief executive of the 4.48-square-mile area, cited Croghan Park, Ceremonial Indian Mound at Fort Island Park as the city’s historical sites.

Vito Sinopoli, Bath’s full-time administrator for eight years, said the community of 23 square miles is rich in an abundance of historic homes, cemeteries and other important locations, including Hale Farm and Village and Bath Township Hall.

Highlights

Missy McWhorter, in her sixth year as full-time executive director of the Fairlawn Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Village of St. Edward; Kisling, Nestico and Redick law firm; Seibert Keck Insurance; and Signet Jewels are among the largest Montrose-area employers.

Largest employers in Bath also include Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health and Wellness Center, with an attached emergency department, Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Center and Crystal Clinic.

Copley’s largest employers are Roadway Express, Copley-Fairlawn Schools, Montrose Ford, Team Health, Metro and Med Veterinarian Hospitals and Graves Lumber.

Notable employers in Fairlawn include Bober Markey Federovich & Co. accounting and the ContiTech USA software firm.

Copley’s notable citizens past and present include actress Carrie Coon, NFL player Delone Carter, WKYC-TV chief meteorologist and news anchor Betsy Kling, WJW-TV anchor Tracy McCool, author Ty Schwamberger, former Ohio representative and Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Lynn Slaby, former U.S. Representative and Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Betty Sutton and former U.S. Rep. John Seiberling. Others include late jazz guitarist Jeff Golub, best known for his work with Rod Stewart; Riley Ghent and Josh Williams, pro soccer players; and Jeff Tabaka, major league baseball pitcher.

Among major activities are the Copley Car Show, Heritage Days, Memorial Day Parade, Halloween in the Park, the annual Yule tree lighting, Arbor Day and Earth Day Event. Also worth checking is Copley Community Park, an 80-acre facility with rentable pavilions; baseball, softball and soccer fields; two playgrounds; a sled riding hill; an ice skating pond; and more than a mile of paved walking trails.

Fairlawn plans to again host its summer Friday night concert series in Bicentennial Park, its July 4 celebration and Fireworks.

Other highlights in Fairlawn include Riviera Lanes for bowling enthusiasts, Summit Mall, and Croghan Park, Fort Island/Griffiths Park, the Fort Island Boardwalk, Fairlawn and Wood parks.

Bath’s Sinopoli cited as famous residents early settlers Jonathan Hale and Jason Hammond, who officially organized the township in 1818, and NBA basketball star LeBron James.

The Bath Nature Preserve features 411 acres of nature trails, ponds, sports activities and hiking options.

Fun and dining

Copley’s Marshall noted several restaurants, including Firehouse Tavern, Bombas Taco Bar, Hooley House, Outback and Longhorn steakhouses, Tres Portrillos, Kingfish Seafood Restaurant, Brighten Brewery and Wolf Creek Winery.

Fairlawn’s Roth said the city has numerous family friendly restaurants, including Sweet Frog, Sky Way and Rocknes. Also mentioned was Honey Baked Ham’s lunch menu and catering services.

Bath’s administrator said there are a wide variety of restaurant options in the community, including Ken Stewart’s Lodge, Tre Belle, Clearview Inn, Farmer’s Rail, Vaccaro’s Trattoria, Pint and Pie Works, Lanning’s Restaurant, Gasoline Alley and the Bake Shop in Ghent.