The history of news in Barberton is as old as the city itself. Beginning with Barberton's founding in 1891, there have been seven different newspapers serving Barberton.Through the years, The Barberton Herald has endured as the city's longest-running newspaper, merging and outliving the original papers since 1923.

In addition to The Barberton Herald, there were editions published for Portage Lakes, Kenmore, Canal Fulton, and Fairlawn. According to Barberton historian Phyllis Taylor's book 100 Years of Magic, The Barberton Herald once boasted having the largest paid circulation for a weekly paper in the state. Today, the Herald maintains a circulation of the top largest weeklies in Ohio, which is quite an accomplishment in today's media industry.

Today the Barberton Herald offices are in Dr. Finefrock’s office on Fourth Street Northwest but the Herald has moved around over the years. The Herald was printed at one time on Tuscarawas Avenue near the foot of the old viaduct. As the building is still there, the massive printing press is still located in the basement that was last used as Steve’s Upholstery.   

The Barberton Herald is published on Thursday with the submission and advertising deadline on Mondays at 3 p.m. 

For more Barberton history, contact the Barberton Public Library's History Department at 330-745-1194 or visit the Barberton Historical Society online at www.annadeanfarm.com.