| From Mayor Don
Plusquellic… Welcome to Akron’s
History! Built on the Ohio & Erie Canal, Akron was a rough-and-tumble town founded in
1825 by sturdy New Englanders with the  help of Irish and German
immigrants. Not far from today’s intersection of Main and Exchange streets, canal
boats were constructed. The canal carried the oatmeal that fed Union troops during the
Civil War, a home-grown industry that eventually made Akron famous for the cereal
"shot from guns."
The invention and manufacture of farm machinery made Akron a recognizable name around
the world, and later - the rubber and tire business, which dominated Akron for a century.
It was here that the motor carrier industry began and where rigid airships became
airborne.
Along the way, we became known as a bastion of abolition, women’s rights,
temperance, the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, and more.
In 2006, Akron’s "History Trails" project involved more than 8,000
people as they helped us celebrate the 75th anniversary of some of Akron’s landmark
buildings. Each person who participated was given a "passport," with the
challenge of getting a stamp in each of 22 separate blocks at each site they visited.
 Over 100 individuals, including many children, completed all 22 stops.
In 2007, you can still obtain stamps in your "passport," printed on the
inside back cover of this book. More importantly, this is a guide to learning why Akron
has been disproportionately successful, and lucky, in the 182 years since its founding.
Today, with the Ohio & Erie Canalway linking downtown to the Cuyahoga Valley
National Park, Akron continues to astound our visitors. See you along the trail.
Don Plusquellic
Mayor of Akron |
