The Cuyahoga River cuts through the gorge between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, creating one of the area’s most distinctive landscapes. This postcard captures the river and the bridge crossing the gorge, showing a place where the natural landscape and the growing transportation network came together.
The Gothic Building was designed by prominent Akron architect Frank O. Weary and built in 1902, at a time when Akron was growing rapidly. Its design was modeled after the Georgian Gothic Revival style, with its distinctive brickwork, arched windows, and contrasting details. The building was attached to the Colonial Theatre, which stood alongside it…
A busy day on Mill Street in Akron. The Hotel Buchtel, on the left, featured the latest amenities, including incandescent lights, a hydraulic elevator, bathrooms on each floor and call bells in each room.
A vintage view of Akron’s busy Market Street looking East from the bridge.
Residences along East Market Street.
Akron’s Main Street has seen many changes over the years. The city would hardly be recognized by founders Simon Perkins and Paul Williams.
Motor cars were still new on the scene when this image of Akron’s Main Street was captured by the photographer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Postcard view of Akron’s Main Street from Market Street looking south. Founded along the Little Cuyahoga River in 1825 by Simon Perkins and Paul Williams, the location of Akron carefully and strategically planned at the summit of the developing Ohio and Erie Canal.
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.
East Market Street featured the homes of F.A. Seiberling (Goodyear), Ferdinand Schumacher (Quaker Oats) and O.C. Barber (Diamond Match).
The street has been called Millionaires’ Row by some and rightfully so. Before it was commercially developed, Akron’s East Market Street was populated by Akron’s most famous names. F.A. Seiberling (Goodyear), Ferdinand Schumacher (Quaker Oats), O.C. Barber (Diamond Match).
The Unique theater on Main Street was one of Akron’s famous vaudeville theaters. Around 1905, The Unique would be converted into Akron’s first motion picture theater.
The Empire House opened on November 20, 1847. The hotel served Akron visitors until it was torn down in 1912 to make way for the Portage Hotel.
Although difficult to recognize today, East Market Street was once home to the area’s wealthiest and most influential residents. From industrial tycoons to the political elite, East Market was where they called home.
A view of the much-changed intersection of Union Street, Forge Street and Mill streets near downtown Akron. Akron’s old High School can be seen on the left side of the image.
A view of a busy Main Street looking North with Mill Street as the first intersection. Akron was central to the street car and interurban rail traffic of the day.