Magnolia to showcase transportation history during America 250 event

The Magnolia Area Historical Society will host a transportation-themed event April 18 as part of the America 250-Ohio celebration.

The April theme for the statewide initiative is “Ohio Moves: Transportation,” recognizing the role transportation has played in the state’s development as the nation prepares for its semiquincentennial.

The event will be held from 1-4 p.m. at Motorcar Portfolio, 3213 Magnolia Road NW.

Visitors will be able to view displays featuring Magnolia’s transportation history, including the Magnolia Airport, the Baltimore and Ohio and Pennsylvania railroads, Magnolia Dragstrip, early license plates and automobiles, Magnolia Transit, local garages and the Sandy and Beaver Canal.

At 2 p.m., Megan Boyd, owner of Motorcar Portfolio LLC, will present “Vintage Automobile History and Current Market Trends.” Attendees also will have the opportunity to view the site’s collection of vintage and collectible vehicles.

The event also will feature a slideshow on Magnolia transportation history and the premiere of a short documentary on Magnolia Flouring Mills.

The documentary was produced by Red Point Digital of Akron as part of a Stark County Local History Group project funded through a grant from Visit Canton, ArtsinStark and the Hoover Historical Center. The project includes more than a dozen short films highlighting locations and stories across Stark County.

The Magnolia Flouring Mills video includes contributions from David Green of Stark Parks and Gus and JoLane Elson. Gus Elson is a descendant of Richard Elson, who founded the village of Magnolia and built the mill in 1834.

Organizers said the videos will be released throughout 2026 on YouTube and social media platforms.

The event is free and open to the public, and no preregistration is required.