Throughout the seasons, the people of Barberton are drawn to one of the city’s most beautiful locales—Lake Anna. Lake Anna has long been a mainstay in Barberton, a picturesque setting for festivals, concerts and a relaxing stroll around the park’s half-mile walking path. Though often thought to be a manmade lake, Lake Anna is a naturally occurring glacial or “kettle” lake, with a depth of more than thirty-four feet and a size of approximately ten acres.
Although one of Barberton’s most noted attractions today, Lake Anna was not always part of this beautiful park setting. At one time much of the area surrounding the lake was comprised of woods and swamps, and the lake itself was often used to bathe and water livestock from nearby farms. Prior to the founding of Barberton, locals often referred to the lake as Davis-Way Pond after its two previous owners. After the incorporation of Barberton, though, O.C. Barber took over ownership and named the lake in honor of his daughter Anna. In 1910, the lake was transferred to M.J. Alexander as he laid out plans for Barberton’s rapidly growing downtown area. Soon after, rumors circulated that Lake Anna was to be filled in and developed; however, the city of Barberton finally purchased the property in 1915, nearly twenty-five years after the city was founded, and created the beloved park enjoyed by generations.
Lake Anna’s scenic beauty also led to the building of some of our city’s grandest historic homes. Many of the houses around Lake Anna were constructed near the turn of the twentieth century, shortly after the founding of Barberton. These homes continue to represent the city’s most prosperous times, when prominent members of the community designed large homes on prime lake-view property. Rather sizeable compared to standard homes of the day, some were built to accommodate the larger families of the era, while others were built to house the families of business associates. Today, many of the houses have been remodeled or converted into multiple family homes. Although the neighborhood has changed over the past century, these houses retain their characteristic charm and the elegance that made them a fixture around Lake Anna.
In addition to its residential appeal, Lake Anna also became a popular recreation spot. Visitors flocked to the lake for ice skating in the winter months and swimming, fishing and entertainment in the summer. In 1934, a new bandstand, stone bath house and public restrooms were constructed. Several piers were also built and sand brought in to create a beach for summer swimmers. Although swimming in the lake has been prohibited for the past fifteen years and the piers are now gone, Lake Anna remains a popular place for summer recreation. Year after year, Barberton residents visit the lake to picnic, exercise, enjoy the view, and feed the geese, ducks and swans that have made Lake Anna their home. Today, the lake continues to be a primary feature of Barberton’s downtown area, as well as a beloved part of Barberton history.