Massillon, Ohio
Thomas Rotch, a Quaker from New Bedford, Massachusetts, founded the original settlement of Kendal in 1812. James Duncan of New Hampshire recorded the town plat for Massillon on the 6th of December 1826. He named the town after Jean-Baptiste Massillon, a French Catholic bishop, at his wife's request. The town developed along the east bank of the Tuscarawas River, which served as the surveyed route for the Ohio and Erie Canal. This canal section connecting Cleveland to Massillon finished construction in 1828. Leading merchants like Hiram and Marshall Wellman helped establish the area as a major port town known as the Port of Massillon. The canal officially completed its run through the region in 1832. First telegraph lines reached Massillon in 1847. The Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad extended its rails to the city in 1852. Massillon incorporated as a village in 1853. It became a city in 1868 when the population reached 5,000 people.
The C. M. Russell Company formed in 1848 by Charles M. Russell and his brothers Nahum and Clement manufactured threshing machines. They began producing train cars in 1852 and incorporated as Russell & Company Inc. in 1864. By 1884, the company produced steam traction engines and grew into one of the largest industrial equipment producers. A merger with Griscom-Spencer in 1912 created the Griscom-Russell Company. Joseph Davenport founded the Massillon Iron Bridge Company in 1869 after moving from Boston. He invented and built the first locomotive cowcatcher and cab in Massillon. The company designed steel truss bridges up through the mid-1900s. Some say Massillon's steel age started in 1909 when the first sheet rolled at the Massillon Rolling Mill Company. Central Alloy merged with Republic Steel in April 1930 to become the third largest steel company globally. Nearly half the city workforce worked for Republic Steel operations by 1959. Stanley Macomber designed the open-web steel joist in 1921 while working for Central Steel. His patented design remains the basis for modern floor and roof support systems today.
One of the most tragic instances of anti-union violence occurred during the Little Steel strike of 1937. The Steel Workers Organizing Committee attempted to organize workers at Republic Steel starting in spring 1937. Republic Steel expelled over 1,000 union supporters from plants in Canton and Massillon. On May 26, unions called for a general strike across Little Steel companies. On the 11th of July 1937, police opened fire on a crowd near a picket line after a car failed to dim its headlights. Police used tear gas canisters and shotguns against fleeing crowds. National Guardsmen joined the police to destroy the union hall. Three men died and hundreds were injured during this incident. An Ohio Historical Marker #18-76 stands before City Hall erected in 2004 to commemorate the event. Jacob S. Coxey Sr., known as General Coxey, led two marches from Massillon to Washington D.C. in 1894 and 1914. These unemployed groups presented a Petition in Boots demanding job creation funds. Coxey served one year as mayor of Massillon beginning in 1931.
Massillon Washington High School football team, the Tigers, holds one of the most distinguished records in American high school history. Paul Brown, who later coached the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, graduated from this program. Chris Spielman became an NFL All-Pro linebacker after playing at Ohio State University. The Tigers finished second only to Valdosta High School in Georgia for total wins nationwide. Their historic rivalry with Canton McKinley High School Bulldogs represents what many consider the greatest high school football matchup in the nation. A 2001 documentary film titled Go Tigers! documented both teams and their intense competition. Construction of Paul Brown Tiger Stadium completed in 1939 through the Works Progress Administration program. The stadium currently seats 16,884 people and hosts numerous state playoff games annually. The Tigers accumulated 25 state AP championships and 9 national AP championships throughout their history. As of 2012, they held an overall record of 837-249-35 unmatched by any other Ohio high school. They won the OHSAA D-II state championship on the 30th of November 2023 against Archbishop Hoban High School ending a 53-year drought.
Paul Brown served as head coach for the Massillon Tigers before founding professional football franchises. Bobby Knight led Indiana University to three national basketball championships between 1976 and 1987. Lillian Gish became one of America's most celebrated actresses from this community. Jack London, grandson of Marshall Wellman, grew up nearby though his family connection traces back to Massillon residents. George V. Kelley received the Medal of Honor for heroism during World War II. Tom Weiskopf won the 1973 British Open golf tournament after growing up in the area. Bob Fothergill played primarily for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball. Tommy Henrich spent thirteen seasons with the New York Yankees from 1937 through 1950. Harry Stuhldreher was a three-time All-American quarterback at Notre Dame known as one of the Four Horsemen. Carlin Isles represents the United States national rugby sevens team as an Olympian. Lori Lightfoot served as Mayor of Chicago and President of the Chicago Police Board before her current role.
Ameri Cold Logistics maintains headquarters operations within the city limits today. Aqua Ohio incorporated in 1926 as the Massillon Water Service Company. Shearer's Foods manufactures products and operates its headquarters here. Heinz Frozen Food Co. runs production facilities in the region. The city hosts Towne Plaza, Amherst Shopping Center, Mayflower Shopping Center, Massillon Marketplace, and Meadows Plaza shopping areas. US Route 30 follows Main Street through downtown Massillon renamed Lincoln Way. Interstate 77 bypasses the city to the east via interchanges on multiple state routes. Akron-Canton Airport provides daily commercial passenger service located north of the city. SARTA operates public transit bus service connecting Massillon to Canton and regional airports. Amtrak offers daily Capitol Limited rail service from Alliance station to Chicago and Washington D.C. The Massillon Museum established in 1933 preserves approximately 100,000 objects across 94 categories including 60,000 photographs. Spring Hill Historic Home opened to the public in 1973 focusing on Underground Railroad history conducted by Thomas and Charity Rotch.
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Common questions
Who founded the original settlement of Massillon, Ohio?
Thomas Rotch, a Quaker from New Bedford, Massachusetts, founded the original settlement of Kendal in 1812. James Duncan recorded the town plat for Massillon on the 6th of December 1826 and named it after Jean-Baptiste Massillon at his wife's request.
When did Massillon become a city and what was its population then?
Massillon became a city in 1868 when the population reached 5,000 people. The town had previously incorporated as a village in 1853 before achieving city status based on that specific population threshold.
What happened during the Little Steel strike of 1937 in Massillon?
On the 11th of July 1937, police opened fire on a crowd near a picket line after a car failed to dim its headlights. Three men died and hundreds were injured during this incident involving tear gas canisters and shotguns used by police and National Guardsmen.
How many state championships have the Massillon Tigers won?
The Massillon Tigers accumulated 25 state AP championships and 9 national AP championships throughout their history. As of 2012, they held an overall record of 837-249-35 unmatched by any other Ohio high school.
Who is the current mayor of Chicago from Massillon?
Lori Lightfoot served as Mayor of Chicago and President of the Chicago Police Board before her current role. She grew up in the community associated with Massillon, Ohio.