Portage County

US States / O-U / Ohio / Portage County
Portage

Portage County is named for the Native America word “portage” meaning “to carry goods around”.

 

Surrounding County Courthouses: 

N – Geauga County

E – Trumbull County and Mahoning County

S – Mahoning County and Stark County

W – Summit County

 

Created:  June 7, 1807                           Map of Ohio highlighting Portage County

County Seat:

Ravenna  1807 – present

 

County Courthouse – Ravenna 

 

Location:  203 West Main Street / East Maple Street

Built:  1959 – 1960

Style:  Modern

Architect:  C G Kistler of Kent

Contractor:  The W B Gibson Company of Warren

 

Description:  The building faces north and is a two story glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Ravenna. The north front has a large portico supported by pillars with a large center opening. The recessed entrance and walls are glass. There are vertical panels between the first and second story windows. The roof line is flat. The building houses the County Court of Common Pleas – General, Domestic Relations and Probate Divisions and County Municipal Court. The building was renovated in 2001 and the front porch was added.

 

See:  Ohio Court of Appeals – Warren ( 11th Appellate District  )

 

History:  The county was created in 1807 and Ravenna was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a one story structure used from 1808 to 1810. The second courthouse was a one story structure built in 1812. The third courthouse was a two story structure desisigned by Zenas Kent and constructed by N B Gibson. The fourth courthouse was designed by Samuel W Lane and built by P B Carpenter in 1891. The fifth and present courthouse was constructed in 1959 to 1960.

 

 

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County Courthouse – Ravenna

 

 

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Photos taken 2010