New Book Releases

Among southwest Cleveland suburbs, Berea, a community of 19,000, is unique. Berea was once called "The Sandstone Capital of the World," but the area's quarrying industry ceased in the mid-20th century. Immigrant quarrymen and their descendants remained, adding an eclectic and resilient mix to the academic atmosphere. Where blasting once shook the quarries, a pleasant area of lakes, trails, and picnic spots now delights residents and visitors alike. The historic home of the town's first doctor enjoys new life as a bed-and-breakfast, contemporary architecture integrates a historic church as part of the university, a wind turbine generates power for the fairgrounds, and community gardens offer produce to local food pantries.

Founded in 1799 as part of the Connecticut Western Reserve, Hudson maintains its charm by simultaneously highlighting its historic attributes and thriving as a contemporary community. For its first 150 years, Hudson was a quiet village, but the population grew when the Ohio Turnpike opened in the 1950s; suddenly, Hudson was on the map, and the preservation of local traditions became even more important to residents. Images of Modern America: Hudson showcases these preservation efforts, including those of the downtown district--much of which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Through vintage color photographs, this collection celebrates Hudson's legacy as it progresses toward the future.

Once known as the "Rubber Capital of the World," Akron now hails as the "City of Invention." As the fifth-largest city in Ohio, it has grown from an industrial center to a hub of culture and science. During this change, Akron's downtown went from a vibrant retail district to being somewhat empty; however, the city was reborn with a baseball stadium for the Akron RubberDucks (the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians), new restaurants, concert venues, and in its role as a host for national events such as the 2014 Gay Games. As recently as 20 years ago, rubber workers made up a large part of Akron's population, but the number of people employed in the rubber industry dropped by half between 2000 and 2007. In 2001, Akron was named among the country's 10 high-tech havens by Newsweek, and it is now considered the center of "Polymer Valley."

Carved out of Ohio's wilderness in 1852, the village of Grove City welcomed industrious laborers, farmers, and German immigrants. The arrival of the railroad and the interurban brought commuters willing to travel from Grove City into Columbus. The 1960s saw the construction of Interstates 71 and 270, which spurred the community's growth. Though its population has surpassed 37,000 residents, Grove City has retained its small-town appeal while offering residents and visitors a revitalized town center, a major arts festival, and the "world's largest" alumni softball tournament.