Akron’s Summit Beach Park located on the shores of Summit Lake, provided Akronites with 40 years of recreation and entertainment before closing its gates for good in 1958.
Author: tconte
Lakeside – Glenn Curtiss Hydro-Aeroplane
In 1911, aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss promised Akron a memorable event. Curtiss brought his experimental hydro-airplane to Lakeside Park at Summit Lake. His three flights were seen by nearly 50,000 people that day. During his final flight, the hydro-airplane lost a section of its propeller. Although the plane to become unstable, Curtiss was able to safely bring…
Gorge Park
This park was wildly popular and drew huge crowds to the nascent town. “High Bridge Glens attracted up to 10,000 visitors a day during the summer season,” says McClure. “Not bad considering the entire population of Cuyahoga Falls was only about 2,500 people at that time.” High Bridge Glens closed in 1895, but that was…
DeWitt’s Automobile Ranch
Popular Akron auto dealership in the 50’s. Sold Dodge, Plymouth, Simca, Lloyds, Sunbeams, AMC. DeWitt’s claim to fame was being the only Dodge and Plymouth dealer in the nation with its own proving and testing ground. Location: 479 N. Main Street
Police Station – Municipal Building
The first horseless police vehicle ever introduced in the United States was purchased by the city of Akron in 1899. The Collins Buddy Company produced the car for $2,400, or $65,000 in today’s money. Two 4hp electric motors powered the battery-run vehicle. With a top speed of 18 mph and a range of 30 miles with the batteries…
Faith Church
Faith Church was an Evangelical United Brethren church in Akron, Ohio. The church building still stands at 954 Eastland Ave.
Metropolitan Building
The Metropolitan Building still stands today although its name has been changed by current owners to Chemstress Courtyard. Location: 39 South Main Street
Howard Street
It may be unrecognizable today, but the one-time importance of Howard Street can easily be seen in this postcard view as it appeared looking South from Market Street. Busy people, cars, horses with carts, and trolleys fill the scene outside Federman’s “Lowest Price Store” in Akron.
Silver Lake Park – Entrance
For 40 years, visitors to Silver Lake Park were never at a loss for things to do. Steamboat cruise on the lake, miniature train rides, a roller coaster, a merry-go-round, and a midway all added to the excitement of a day at the park. There was even a pavilion with space for 500 dinners as well as a 15,000…
Mill Street Looking East
A streetcar is seen ascending the Mill Street Viaduct as it leaves downtown headed over the city’s main rail lines. At the right can be seen the Cleveland Akron & Columbus freight shed.
Silver Lake Park – Bath House
In 1874, Ralph H. Lodge bought Silver Lake (all the land covered by water but no land around it) for $1,300. The next year, Lodge bought 35 acres of land at the South West corner of the lake. Prior to Lodge’s investment, a tribe of Seneca Indians summered at the South end of Silver Lake…
Akron High School
This beautiful piece of architecture was the city’s high school. The school was located on Forge Street, between College and Union Streets, facing Union Park. It was first established in 1857, but the pictured building was erected in 1885 at a cost of $135,000.
Akron University
The University of Akron was founded as Buchtel College in 1870 by the Ohio Universalist Convention, which was influenced by the financial support of industrialist John R. Buchtel.
Akron Gospel Tabernacle
A Shelter in the Time of Storm.
Peoples Hospital
Construction on the first building was completed on March 1, 1915. Akron’s new Peoples Hospital struggled financially in its early years. The institution relied heavily on donations, volunteer hours, and donated medical supplies to stay afloat.
Portage Hotel – Dining Room
The elegantly appointed dining room in the Portage Hotel.
Allen Theatre WADC Broadcasting Station
WADC broadcasting studios located in the Towell Cadillac Building. WADC first broadcast as a temporary station for a 1925 car show at the Central Garage. The call letters were derived from the show’s sponsor, the Automobile Dealers’ Company. After the show ended, Allen Simmons, owner of the Allen Theater, bought the equipment and obtained a…
Central Garage
A testament to just how fast automobiles has grown in popularity, this massive parking garage was constructed in 1919.During the Cold War, the Central Garage was designated as one of 32 downtown air-raid shelters.