The Original Berlin Ohio

The town of New Berlin, Ohio was originally laid out in 1831 by Samuel Bachtel and was situated on the Plain Township and Stark County line. German immigrants were the primary settlers of the community which was comprised of 23 property lots. The town remained fairly small throughout the 19th century with a little over 200 residents, but by the turn of the century, there were many agricultural endeavors in and around the town.

The interurban railroad that ran between Akron and Canton proved to be a catalyst for Berlin, Ohio linking with its surrounding communities, and the line ran right through the heart of town on Main Street. Because of the unpopularity of anything German during World War I, the name of the town was changed to North Canton in January of 1918. William H. "Boss" Hoover was a prominent citizen of the community at the time that owned a tannery, but soon changed his focus to manufacturing vacuum cleaners.

As Hoover's business grew, so to did the Berlin, Ohio and by 1930, he employed over 1,400 people out of a population of just over 2,600. During the latter part of the 20th century, the construction of I-77 caused another growth spurt and towards the end of the century, there were nearly 15,000 residents in the community.

Touring Berlin, Ohio

When you spend time meandering along the country roads of Berlin, Ohio, it isn't unusual to see quaint little retail shops situated next to a landscaped yard, or some small repair shop located in a storage shed. You may even see a furniture repair shop sitting adjacent to an old weathered barn. But the bottom line is that you're looking at the way a hard-working family in Berlin, Ohio earns a living while staying at home and maintaining the lifestyle that is so characteristically Amish.

No doubt, Berlin, Ohio is the most commercialized area, other than Millersburg, in all of Ohio's Amish country. It is an extremely tourist-oriented area and provides the tourist with a variety of opportunities to browse, shop, or just take a leisurely stroll throughout the city. The wide array of attractions, events, and shops in Berlin, Ohio make it perfect for walking tours or shopping and sightseeing. Just park your car (there is plenty of parking available) and begin your adventure.

Berlin, Ohio's Top 4 Attractions

Whether it is an antique piece of furniture or a newer hand-crafted piece, you'll find everything from the very modern to the nostalgic when visiting Berlin Ohio. The wide array of shops and stores will most likely overwhelm you at first, but the following four attractions are "must-sees" when visiting this delightful Amish community.

Der Bake Oven - oftentimes referred to as "the Bakery with a Heart", this is a small town bakery and ice cream shop

J and J Woodcraft - features hand-crafted heirloom furniture at its finest

Shrock's Amish Farm Complex - fine handmade boots, saddles, and Western Wear

Simple Blessings Cabin - after a hard day of dining, shopping, and sightseeing, this is the place to repose for the evening so you can have a fresh start the next day