Akron’s boom came from the rubber industry, but before that, it was an important canal town, a regional center for milling and a notable mass-producer of clay products.
Author: tconte
USS Macon – PC6 Under Construction
USS Macon was built at the Goodyear Airdock in Springfield Township, Ohio by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation. Because this was by far the biggest airship ever to be built in America, a team of experienced German airship engineers, led by Chief Designer Karl Arnstein, instructed and supported design and construction of both the USS Macon and the USS Akron. From the collection…
City Hospital
Akron’s City Hospital was created from a fund left by an early resident, Boniface DeRoo. The fund, which represented the lifetime savings of a frugal hard working man, amounted to $10,000. The first building used for the hospital was an old frame house at the corner of Broadway Street and Center Street. Patients were seen,…
Howard Street, looking South
At one time, Howard Street was one of the most popular areas of Akron’s downtown. Busy people, cars, and horses with carts fill the scene outside Federman’s “Lowest Price Store in Akron.” Also in the scene – the Empress theater, and Kirk’s.
USS Macon – PC 1 Under Construction
Sister ship of the USS Akron. Measuring an incredible 785 feet in length, the Macon and Akron were the largest airships in the world. At 50mph, these airships has a potential 10,580 mile range. The airships were large enough to house 5 airplanes that could be launched and recovered while in flight. From the collection…
Post Office
Opened in 1899 as Akron’s main post office, today this building is part of the Akron Art Museum. Pairs of carved eagle medallions and bronze lanterns decorate the building’s façade. A mosaic depicting a Pony Express rider is embedded in the lobby floor.
Portage Hotel
The Portage Hotel, located downtown at Main Street and Market Street, replaced the former Empire House Hotel in 1912 and served as Akron’s leading hotel until the opening of the modern Mayflower Hotel in 1931.
Elks Temple
The Elks began in 1868 as a social club for minstrel show performers called the “Jolly Corks”. It was established as a private club to elude New York City laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. The organization evolved into a major American fraternal, charitable, and service order with more than a million members, both men, and women, throughout…
Mayflower Hotel
Akron’s Mayflower Hotel on Main Street Located at the corner of Main Street and State Street, the 16 story Mayflower had 450 room, a ballroom, banquet hall, six private dining rooms, one large dining room, coffee Shop, and equipped with modern equipment.
Bathers at Summit Beach
Summit Lake was a popular summer retreat for Akron area residents. First as a picturesque picnic area and latter as a amusement park. From rollercoasters to live entertainment, the park had it all. The Beach Park operated for 40 years before closing its gates in 1958.
Union Cafe Bar & Lunch Room
The Union Cafe was located on Market street across the tracks from Union Depot.
USS Macon – PC2 Under Construction
The USS Macon was christened on 11 March 1933, by Jeanette Whitton Moffett, wife of Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Chief of the U.S. Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics. The airship was named after the city of Macon, Georgia. On April 21, 1933, just weeks after the loss of the USS Akron in which Admiral Moffett…
Summit Beach Bathers
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.
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…
Silver Lake Park – A Trip to Rockaway
Silver Lake was a popular Akron area amusement park. The site featured animal exhibits, a dance hall, steamboat rides, carnival rides, a miniature railway and a hotel. Silver Lake was one of the biggest attractions in all of Ohio. In its prime, the park received over 10,000 visitors per day.
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
Bill Copley Buick
Buick dealership opened in 1948.
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…
Post Office – Cuyahoga Falls
Post office building in Cuyahoga Falls, near Akron, Ohio.Location: 2054 2nd St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
B. F. Goodrich Rubber Company
The B.F. Goodrich Company was founded in 1870 by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich. The company began as a manufacturer of rubberized hoses and later began manufacturing pneumatic bicycle tires. In 1896, B.F. Goodrich became the first company in the United States to manufacture pneumatic automobile tires.
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…