In 1876, Ralph H. Lodge began acquiring the Silver Lake and its surrounding land. Originally a picnicking and swimming area, Ralph soon turned the area into one of Ohio’s greatest attractions. Silver Lake featured animal exhibits, a roller coaster, sports facilities, a dance hall, and a hotel, steam boat rides and a miniature railway.
Founded in 1894 in Akron, Ohio, Portage Country Club is one of the oldest clubs in America. The Club’s founding members were Charles C. Goodrich (the son of Dr. Benjamin F. Goodrich, the founder of B.F. Goodrich Company), Charles G. Raymond (an executive at B.F. Goodrich Company) and Bertram G. Work (also an executive at…
Kepler’s Landing was located at the south end of Turkey Foot Lake. The hotel was built in 1892 by William Kepler.
Recreation on the Portage Lakes.
Country home of Akron industrialist and philanthropist, Frank Hibbard Mason (1852-1931). Mason worked for B. F. Goodrich.
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…
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
For much of the early 1900’s, the Summit lake area of Akron was among the most picturesque in the city.
Grace Park wasn’t always a “shady” place. Back in the day, the park was one of Akron’s most popular retreats.It played host to picnics, leisurely strolls, community gatherings and fiery political speeches. Famous names like Hayes, McKinley, and Rosevelt stood in Grace Park to deliver their words to the people of Akron.
In this postcard view of old Akron, children of all ages can be seen playing together on teeter-totters (seesaws) at the Perkins Square play ground.
A beautiful view of the river flowing through The Glen (today’s Gorge Park) Akron, Ohio (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio).
The brainchild of Akron businessmen John L. Snyder, Philip Austgen and Jack Rampanelli, Summit Beach Park began as a friendly conversation over billiards. Once constructed, the park went on to become one of Akron’s most popular entertainment destinations.
Before the mass exodus of manufacturing destroyed Akron’s reputation as a city of opportunity, places like Grace Park were often full of residents listening to speeches, celebrating victories and relaxing on a day off.
The Ohio & Erie Canal carried freight traffic from 1827 to 1861, when the construction of railroads ended demand. The canal served as a water source for industries and towns until around 1913 when much of the canal system was abandoned/destroyed due to major flood damage.
A crowded day of fun at Akron’s Summit Beach Park on the shores of Summit Lake. The park provided Akronites with 40 years of summer fun before closing the gates for good in 1958.
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…
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.
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…
Patriotism is on display as Akronites turn out for a celebration on South Main Street.