Did you know?

Fun Facts About the City of Warren

  • In downtown Warren you'll find Dave Grohl Alley, an outdoor art exhibition dedicated to the founder of the Foo Fighters and former Nirvana drummer. The world's largest drumsticks – certified by the Guinness Book of World Records – are on display here. See the Memorials Page under "Explore Warren" for more details. 
  • Warren is home to the National Packard Museum, which celebrates the Packard brand's important role in the history of the auto industry. See the Museums Page under "Explore Warren" for more details.
  • In 1936, Neil Armstrong took his first airplane ride in the City of Warren. The First Flight Lunar Module on Parkman Road commemorates the site where this happened. See the Memorials Page under "Explore Warren" for more details.
  • Among the attractions you'll find throughout Warren are a Women's Park celebrating the lives of local women instrumental in shaping the area, a five-mile stretch of scenic Riverwalk along the Mahoning, and a skate park located on the grounds of Packard Park. See the Memorials and Parks and Outdoor Recreation pages for more details.
  • The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library hosts a museum and a local history and genealogy center. See the Museums Page and Arts and Entertainment Page under "Explore Warren" for more details.
  • Warren has one of the world's first multi-story McDonald's, complete with elevator, fountain and grand piano, dedicated to visionary franchisor Ray Kroc.
  • Warren owns a municipal golf course – Old Avalon Golf Course.
  • Warren holds several annual festivals and events year-round, earning it the nickname "Festival City." Major events include the African American Achiever's Association Festival, Italian Festival, and Greek Festival.
  • Warren hosts one of the few Drive-In Theaters still operating in the United States.

Famous Residents

From business to sports, from women's suffrage all the way to outer space, residents of the City of Warren have gone on to leave notable marks on American history. Below is a list of high-profile residents organized by occupation and approximate birth order. Our gratitude goes to the contributors at the City of Warren Wikipedia page and related entries for gathering most of this information in one place.

Business

  • James W. and William D. Packard: Founders of the Packard Motor Car Company and the Packard Electric Company. William D. Packard's local philanthropy – donating lands for a City park and funding the creation of a world-class public assembly facility and its resident band – has left the City of Warren with some of its finest attractions. The Packards' lives and industrial exploits are documented in the National Packard Museum.
  • Zell Hart Deming: Pioneering newspaper manager and the first female member of the Associated Press. Find out more at the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame.
  • Roger Ailes: CEO of Fox News Network.
  • Michael Capellas: Served as CEO of Compaq, WorldCom, Serena Software, and First Data Corporation; serves on the Board of Directors of Cisco Systems.
  • Edward Shimborske III: Music publishing executive, musician, visual artist and radio personality.

Film & Television

  • Austin Pendleton: Stage and motion picture actor, playwright and director. He has directed Elizabeth Taylor on stage and appeared in films as diverse as What's Up Doc?Guarding TessMy Cousin VinnyA Beautiful Mind, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
  • Nate Thomas: Film and commercial director and producer, whose works include the critically acclaimed East of Hope Street.
  • Tim O'Rourke: Writer, comedian and television actor who served as a screenwriter on Nickelodeon shows The Fairly OddParents and SpongeBob SquarePants. He also contributes voicework to Family Guy and appeared as a recurring character on The Drew Carey Show.
  • Chris Columbus: Oscar-nominated film director, producer and screenwriter. His long list of credits include GremlinsThe GooniesHome AloneMrs. Doubtfire, two Harry Potter films, and most recently, The Help.
  • Rex Lee: Television actor best known for his roles in HBO's Entourage and the ABC sitcom Suburgatory.
  • Braeden Lemasters: Film and television actor nominated for a Young Artist Award for his role in TNT series Men of a Certain Age. He is also a founding member of the band "The Feaver" and one of its lead singers.

Literature

  • Earl Derr Biggers: Novelist and playwright best known for the widely adapted Charlie Chan novels.
  • Kenneth Patchen: Prolific poet and novelist, published in The New York Times and whose works continue to draw a dedicated following.
  • Andrew John Berger: Prominent ornithologist and conservationist. He served as a key witness in Palila v. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, a landmark Federal court case that expanded protections for endangered species. See his bio in The Auk for more on his life and works.
  • Robin McKinley: Award-winning author of children's and young adult fiction, known particularly for progressive retellings of classic fables and a long series of original fantasy novels.

Music

  • Jerry Douglas: Distinguished resonator guitar player and record producer with thirteen Grammy Awards to his credit.
  • Dave Grohl: Founder, lead vocalist and songrwiter of the Foo Fighters and former Nirvana drummer. Downtown you can find Dave Grohl Alley, an art exhibition dedicated to him. See the Memorials Page for more information.
  • Sean Jones: Award-winning jazz trumpeter and composer.

Sports

  • Red Ames: Major League Baseball player for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Bill White: Major League Baseball player for the New York Giants, San Francisco GIants, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, continuing as a radio and TV sportscaster and president of the National League after his MLB career.
  • Paul Warfield: National Football League player who served as wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. Find his biography at the Pro Football Hall of Fame for more on his distinguished career.
  • Randy Gradishar: National Football League player who served as a renowned linebacker for the Denver Broncos.
  • Bill Kollar: National Football League player and coach who served as a defensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  • Ross Browner: National Football League player who served as a defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers following a distinguished College Football career at the University of Notre Dame.
  • Van DeCree: Twice an All-American defensive end at Ohio State University and a member of the Ohio State Football Hall of Fame, he also played in the World Football League for the Chicago Winds and Birmingham Vulcans.
  • Aaron Brown: National Football League player who served as linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.
  • Joey Browner: Four-time All-American football player who served as safety for the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
  • Keith Browner: National Football League player who served as a defensive end and outside linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and San Diego Chargers.
  • David Arnold: National Football League player who served as a defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
  • Korey Stringer: National Football League player who served as an offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Doug Datish: National Football League player who served as center for the Atlanta Falcons.
  • Prescott Burgess: National Football League player who has served as a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots.
  • David Herron: National Football League player who has served as a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and New York Jets. 
  • Antwaun Molden: National Football League player who has served as a cornerback for the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and New York Giants.
  • Mario Manningham: National Football League player who has served as a wide receiver for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

Miscellaneous

  • Harriet Taylor Upton: Prominent suffragette, organizer, and historian, she was also the first woman to serve as vice chairman of the Republican National Committee. The house where she lived and held Ohio Women in Convention is a recognized historical landmark – see the Museums Page.
  • Genevieve R. Cline: Jurist and the first woman to become a federal court judge.
  • Neil Armstrong: Astronaut and the first person to walk on the Moon. His first airplane ride took place in the City of Warren, an event commemorated in the First Flight Lunar Module exhibit – see the Museums Page.
  • Ronald A. Parise: Astronaut who served aboard the Space Shuttles Colombia and Endeavor, conducting unique astronomy studies.
Copyright © 2024 City Of Warren, Ohio.