IN 1889, with just 13 employees, Goodyear production began. The product line included bicycle and carriage tires, horseshoe pads, and poker chips. By 1916, Goodyear had grown into the world’s largest tire company, and by 1926 it was the world’s largest rubber company.
Million Dollar Akron Baptist Temple. 2314 Manchester Road in South Akron. This building is 200 feet long, 92 feet wide. Seating capacity in the auditorium of over 5000. Home of the largest Sunday School in the world, 5000 average attendance. Average Sunday offering of $5,600 for 52 Sundays. 250 voice choir. Church owns a fleet of…
Silver Lake Park had several log cabins, like the one shown here, as well as Swiss-style cottages. The park began in 1876 when Ralph H. Lodge built a small bathhouse and pavilion and provided boats for rental to fishermen. Soon the railroad was bringing excursions from places as far away as Columbus and Pittsburgh. At…
Following World War II, Akronites faced difficult financial times. The industries that allowed Akron to prosper during the 1800s and early 1900s began to decline. The economic downturn resulted in a declining population. In 1950, nearly 275,000 resided in the city. Fifty years later, the population had dropped to 217,000, and today it sits at 197,633.
The Springfield Lake Pavilion was used for many social functions, including dancing on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Patrons danced to the music of big name bands such as Guy Lombardo and Vaughn Monroe.
Built by the Freemasons in 1917 for their business and social gatherings. Following a sale in 1999, the building went through a two million dollar restoration project. Today the structure is used as a special events center.
Carved from the earth nearly 12,000 years ago, the Gorge is one of the area’s greatest natural wonders. The area is also filled with amazing folklore. On May 21, 1758, at the age of ten, Campbell was abducted from a place in or near the town of Penn’s Creek, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Her captors were a band…
In April 1967 the URW walked off of jobs at Goodrich, Firestone, and Uniroyal, and the resulting strike stalled rubber production in Akron for 86 days.
Goodrich ran television and print ads showing an empty blue sky, to distinguish themselves from the similar-sounding Goodyear tire company. The tagline was, “See that blimp up in the sky? We’re the other guys!”
Construction on the current church building began in 1902, and was opened in 1905. The building features a German Baroque Romanesque style and was designed by Akron-born architect William P. Ginther. St. Bernard Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Once known as Old Maid’s Kitchen, the site can be found in the Gorge Metro Park. Today, the cave is named for Mary Campbell, a white settler from Pennsylvania taken captive by the Leni Lenape Indians and brought to the Cuyahoga Valley and possibly the Gorge.
The Diamond Rubber Company was a manufacturer of vehicle tires and other rubber products at the end of the 19th, and into the early 20th century. The company was created in 1894 by famed local industrialist O.C. Barber.
The main building was home to the Second National Bank, but more interesting is The United States Express Company just a few doors up the road, The USE operated from 1854 to 1914 as a privately owned company that forwarded parcels and freight. The company served the northern states from New England west to Colorado. Modern…
In 1904, the Akron-based Central Savings Bank merged with the Akron Trust Company to form Central Savings & Trust Company. In 1947, the First National Bank of Akron took control of the Central Savings and converted to a commercial bank. At that time the tower took on the name “First National Tower”.
Designed by Howard, Harrington & Ash of Kansas City, this 2,810-foot span opened in 1922, with a grand parade that attracted 150,000 spectators. In 1978, a little more than 50 years after its completion, the bridge was demolished and replaced by the “All-America Y-Bridge.
In 2005, after 104 years of service to the community, Akron’s YWCA officially disbanding. The former Y.W.C.A. building at 22 S. High St. was originally called the Grace House, (later known as the Sawan Building). The YWCA moved into the building in 1907 after remodeling and adding a cafeteria, swimming pool, gym, and track. The…
Lower and Higher Bridges over the Cuyahoga River. The Lower Bridge, at Gorge, was 100 feet long by 50 feet wide and made of wood with iron supports. The Higher Bridge was 375 feet long by 101 feet high. It was erected in 1904 at a cost of $70,000. Although primarily used for electric cars,…
Before the rubber giants moved away, Akron’s Main Street was one of the busiest in America. With an abundance of entertainment, shopping, and dining opportunities along with convenient mass transit, it was a natural meeting place.
Construction of the Colonial Salt plant began in 1899 and by 1901 salt was being produced. At that time the area was known as Halo, but today is known as the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron. By 1905, the office force at Colonial was larger than nearby Firestone Rubber.
The steamboat Chautauquan sails the quiet evening waters of Silverlake.