Alliance Ohio
Alliance is a city in Mahoning and Stark Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 23,253 at the 2000 census. Alliance's nickname is "The Carnation City" and the city is home to Mount Union College. Alliance was formed in 1850 by the merger of three small settlements, Williamsport, Freedom, and Liberty. A fourth settlement, Mount Union, was added to the city in 1888. The name Alliance was chosen because of the "alliance" of the small settlements into a larger entity.
The Alliance Historical Society
The Alliance Historical Society was founded for the promotion of historical studies of the City of Alliance and its surrounding areas. Members of the Society collect, preserve, and organize historical materials and work with area schools and community organizations to present historical programs. The home of the Alliance Historical Society is the Mabel Hartzell House. It is open for tours during Carnation Week in August and at other times by appointment. Exhibits of historical materials are supplied by the Society for display at local businesses and public buildings. Members of the Society are also available for talks and slide shows at area clubs and meetings.
Mabel Hartzell Historical Home
The Mabel Hartzell Historical Home was built in 1867 for Matthew and Mary Edwards Earley. The style is Italianate and features wide eaves supported by pronounced bracketing. The front porch runs along the entire front and a portion of the side of the house. Arch-shaped ornamentation is incorporated between the porch posts. The bricks were manufactured in the Alliance area.
Carnation City
In 1886, local green thumb and politician Dr. Levi Lamborn propagated the flower from French seedlings, calling it “Lamborn Red.” Opposing William McKinley for the 18th Congressional District a year later, Lamborn presented the future president with a Lamborn Red boutonniere before each debate. As McKinley’s political star rose, he spoke of the scarlet carnation as a good-luck charm. When McKinley became president, he began wearing one at all times and presenting flowers from a bouquet on his desk to guests. On Sept. 14, 1901, moments after removing the flower from his lapel and giving it to young admirer at the Buffalo Exposition, McKinley was killed by an assassin’s bullet. After years of lobbying by Lamborn, the Ohio General Assembly passed a joint resolution naming the scarlet carnation the state flower on Feb. 3, 1904. On April 8, 1959, the Ohio Legislature recognized Alliance as the Carnation City.
Carnation Festival
Honoring Alliance as the Carnation City, the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival is a week of parades, food and fun throughout the city. An outdoor RibFest kicks off the annual festival. The 3 day RibFest begins the second Thursday in August and is outside the Carnation Mall. The festival is officially inaugurated Sunday with a kick-off parade from Park and Main Street to Glamorgan Castle. That evening, the Carnation Queen is crowned and her court is selected. Monday through Wednesday, there are numerous activities each day. Activities include sporting events for children, a teen dance, a bowling tournament for seniors, the Carnation Capers talent show and the Carnation Fashion Show. During the festival over 15,000 carnations are sold or given away during Carnation week.
