When lots in the newly founded village of Barberton became available for purchase in May of 1891, the Barberton Land Company had already set aside several parcels for future projects. As city blocks were laid out, the area between Fourth and Fifth Streets on the south side of Lake Anna was reserved for a luxury-style hotel designed to cater to travelers and prominent Barbertonians alike. In 1892, construction began on the Barberton Inn, a wood, stone and brick building in the Old Colonial and Queen Anne architectural styles with 46 guest rooms, 25 special rooms and a dining room that could accommodate 100 people. For nearly 20 years, the building held pride of place in Barberton’s burgeoning downtown district, offering lodging, dining and other amenities for both local and out of town clientele. Although construction was completed in 1893, the Inn’s opening was delayed for two years due to economic struggles resulting from the nationwide Panic of 1893. Despite the delay, the Inn finally opened in 1895 and proved one of the highlights of downtown Barberton, complete with luxury accommodations and its own electric light and ice plant. The Inn faced Tuscarawas Street, providing guests with rooms at the rear of the building a prime view of the lake. Room rates were $2.50 and $3.00 a night, and in early years the Inn was often at full capacity. Local business and industry attracted out of town guests for extended stays, while some local businessmen actually lived at the Inn. Soon after opening, the Barberton Inn was chosen by town founder and part owner O.C. Barber as the location for his daughter Anna’s wedding. In 1896, Anna Barber wed Arthur Dean Bevan in an extravagant celebration. Unbeknown to many of the guests, though, the couple had previously married in Chicago in accordance with Illinois law which required residents to be married within the state. This fact had little bearing on the festivities as the Barber-Bevan wedding remained one of the biggest events ever held at the Inn. In 1900, the demand for more rooms led to the construction of an annex. But over time, the Inn suffered a number of unprofitable years and several changes in ownership. It was believed that rising insurance costs and competition from Akron’s top hotels spelled the end for the once successful inn. In 1906, O.C. Barber sold his interest in the Inn to M.J. Alexander. Alexander then offered the property to the city for a reasonable price, but this offer, as well as a request for reduced taxes, was denied. The property was eventually sold to Homer Woolsey and Jonathan Blaser of Woolsey & Blaser Drugstore. In 1915, the Inn was razed and the block divided and sold. The annex was left standing and later purchased by the city for use as a municipal building. Until it was razed for construction of the current city building in 1954, the annex housed city offices, the public library, council chamber and the city prison. Today, the structures located on the block between Tuscarawas St. and Park Ave. and Fourth and Fifth Streets all stand on the former grounds of Barberton’s grandest hotel, the luxurious Barberton Inn.