Akron, Ohio


Akron is located in the northeastern part and is the fifth largest city in the U.S. State of Ohio. It is also called the Rubber Capital of the World due to its history with major tire companies like Firestone, Goodyear, and Goodrich. The city was once the fastest-growing city in the U.S.

The city is among the best cities in the United States to live in when you look at the cost of living. NBA superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry was born in the city, and the city has a strong sports, arts and culture scene.




To See And To Do In Akron


  • The Perkins Stone Mansion
  • The Akron Art Museum
  • Dr. Bob's Home
  • Cascade Locks Park Association
  • Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
  • The Hower House Museum
  • The Akron Civic Theatre
  • Luigis Restaurant
  • Lock 15 Brewing Company
  • Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
  • LeBron James Home Court Museum
  • Akron History Center
  • Downtown shopping
  • Akron Zoo


History Of Akron - Timeline


Thousands of years before the first Europeans came to the area, native tribes lived in the area. In 1797, Moses Warren came to area of Akron and surveyed the location. In 1807, Joseph Hart and Aaron Norton came and built a grist mill, a sawmill, a machine shop, a cabinet shop, a woolen factory, and a shop where they made fireplace matches. Simon Perkins created a mail route by making a treaty with Native Americans.

In 1810-11, Paul Williams, Amos and Miner Spicer, built a log home, and settled into farmers. In 1812, Paul Williams bought 109 acres of land for farming. In 1825, Joshua Henshaw created the plat map of Akron. The map was drawn in a quitclaim deed, and Paul Williams and Simon Perkins signed and sealed the deed and the village of Akron was founded. The Stage House (Henry Clark's Tavern), a two-story wood frame tavern was built. The first newspaper, the Portage Journal, was established by Laurin Dewey and Ozias Bowen.

In 1828, the Ohio and Erie Canal opened, which made the village an important transportation hub. In 1830, Benjamin O. Greene and Salmon Hoisington built the John Brown House. In 1833, a school was established, and Eliakim Crosby started North Akron. In 1836, North Akron and Akron was incorporated as the village of Akron. In 1837, the Perkins Stone Mansion was built. In 1839, the Akron Rural Cemetery was established.

In 1841, a fire engine house was built. In 1844, the abolitionist (a movement that sought to end slavery) John Brown moved into the John Brown House. In 1845, the St. Paul's Episcopal Church was built. In 1850, around 3200 people lived in Akron. In 1851, at a women's rights meeting in Akron, Sojourner Truth gave her famous Ain't I A Woman? speech.

In 1865, the city of Akron was incorporated. In 1870, Buchtel College was founded which later became the University of Akron. In 1871, B.F. Goodrich opened a rubber factory, and the Hower House was built. John Henry Hower was a leading industrialist who was active in the reaping, milling, and cereal industries. In 1882, the city had a horse-drawn public transport system.

In 1883, the Akron Toy Company was founded. In 1893, the Akron Soap Company Building was completed. In 1888, the city had electric streetcars for 40 passengers. In 1898, the first Goodyear factory opened. In 1899, the city had electric police cars, and the Old Akron Post Office was built.

In 1900, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was founded. A rioting mob destroyed several public buildings in the city. People attempted to gain access to the suspect in a child sex attack. In 1902, the Gothic Building was built. In 1904, the Akron Public Library building, in downtown, was built. In 1905, a statue of an Indian named Unk was erected. In 1910, the First Congregational Church was built.

In 1911, the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens was built for Frank Seiberling, a co-founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. In 1913, the University of Akron was founded. In 1914, the Dr. Robert Smith House was built. In 1920, 208,000 people lived in the city. In 1929, the Post Office and Federal Building was completed, and the Loew's Theatre opened.

In 1935, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, two alcoholics who found sobriety, founded AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). In 1952, the singer James Ingram was born in the city. In 1968, black citizens began berating and challenging police officers in Akron. The relations between citizens and the Akron Police Department (APD) were poor. The National Guard was mobilized and used tear gas which ended the riot.

In 1984, the basketball player LeBron James was born in the city. In 1988, the basketball player Stephen Curry was born in the city. In 2009, the InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field opened. In 2013, Goodyear built a new world headquarters in the city. In 2025, 190,187 people lived in the city.