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 
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.
County Courthouse – Ravenna
Photos taken 2010