History of Akron, Ohio in Timeline

Akron, Ohio, is the fifth-most populous city in the state with a population of 190,469 at the 2020 census. As the county seat of Summit County, it anchors a metropolitan area of over 700,000 residents spanning Summit and Portage counties. Situated on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau in Northeast Ohio, Akron lies approximately 40 miles south of downtown Cleveland.

1900: Akron Riot

In 1900, Akron experienced a major civil unrest event known as the riot of 1900.

1900: Hamilton Building Completion

The Hamilton Building, completed in 1900 in the neo-Gothic style, forms the base of the Huntington Tower.

1900: The Riot of 1900

The Riot of 1900 saw assaults on city officials, two deaths, and the destruction by fire of Columbia Hall and the Downtown Fire Station.

1905: Erection of Unk Statue

In 1905, a statue of an Indian named Unk was erected on Portage Path.

1910: Akron Population Boom

During the 1910 decade, Akron became a boomtown and America's fastest growing city.

1912: Stan Hywet Hall Construction Begins

Construction of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens began in 1912 for Frank A. Sieberling.

1913: University of Akron

In 1913, Buchtel College became the University of Akron.

1913: Easter Sunday Flood

On Easter Sunday 1913, 9.55 inches of rain fell, causing floods that killed five people and destroyed the Ohio and Erie Canal system.

1914: Universal Negro Improvement Association Founded

In 1914, Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association in Kingston, Jamaica.

1915: General Tire & Rubber Company

In 1915, the General Tire & Rubber Company was headquartered in Akron.

1915: Stan Hywet Hall Construction Completed

In 1915, the construction of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens was completed. It is the seventh-largest historic house in the United States.

1916: Akron Experiment

From 1916, 10,000 schoolgirls took part in the successful Akron Experiment, testing iodized salt to prevent goiter.

August 6, 1918: Record High Temperature

On August 6, 1918, Akron established its all-time record high temperature of 104 °F.

1920: Akron Population Boom

During the 1920 decade, Akron became a boomtown and America's fastest growing city.

1920: W. E. B. Du Bois Speech

In 1920, W. E. B. Du Bois gave a noted racial relations speech in Akron.

1920: Akron Professionals NFL Championship

In 1920, the Akron Professionals of the National Football League won the championship.

1920: New City Charter Adopted

In 1920, the city of Akron adopted a new charter of the commissioner manager type.

1920: Akron Experiment

Until 1920, 10,000 schoolgirls took part in the successful Akron Experiment, testing iodized salt to prevent goiter.

1921: Akron Branch of UNIA Opened

In 1921, the Akron branch of the Universal Negro Improvement Association opened.

1922: Akron Art Museum Founding

In 1922, the Akron Art Museum opened as the Akron Art Institute in the basement of the Akron Public Library.

1924: Reversion to Old City Form

In 1924, Akron reverted to its old form of city governance after having adopted a new charter in 1920.

1924: Platoon Schools Attract Visitors

In 1924, Akron's platoon schools were a popular attraction, drawing visitors from all over the country.

1925: City Building

In 1925, the Downtown Fire Station became the City Building.

November 6, 1928: Kenmore Annexation

On November 6, 1928, Kenmore was annexed by Akron with voter approval.

1929: Akron Executive Airport Opened

In 1929, Akron Executive Airport first opened and has operated in several different capacities since then.

1929: Akron Civic Theatre Opening

In 1929, the Akron Civic Theatre opened as the Loew's Theater, designed by John Eberson and built by Marcus Loew.

1929: USS Akron (ZRS-4)

In 1929, the Goodyear-Zeppelin Company manufactured the USS Akron (ZRS-4) airship for the United States Navy.

March 1930: Arrest of Pretty Boy Floyd

In March 1930, Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd was arrested under the name "Frank Mitchell" in Akron.

1931: Huntington Tower Completion

Completed in 1931, Akron's tallest building, the Huntington Tower, features the art deco style and is covered in glazed architectural terra-cotta.

1931: USS Macon (ZRS-5)

In 1931, Goodyear's subsidiary Goodyear-Zeppelin Company manufactured the USS Macon (ZRS-5) airship for the United States Navy.

1931: Hottest Days

The year 1931 had as many as 36 days with temperatures at or above 90 °F in Akron.

1935: Goodyear Merger

In 1935, Goodyear became America's top tire manufacturer after merging with the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company.

1936: Rubber Strike

In 1936, Akron experienced a major civil unrest event known as the rubber strike of 1936.

1936: Soap Box Derby at Derby Downs

The All-American Soap Box Derby has taken place each year at the Derby Downs since 1936.

January 7, 1938: Birthplace of women's professional Mud Wrestling

On January 7, 1938, Akron became the birthplace of women's professional Mud Wrestling, with a match featuring Mildred Burke, a Professional Wrestling, WWE, and Wrestling Observer Hall of Famer.

1939: Firestone Non-Skids NBL Title

In 1939, the Akron Firestone Non-Skids won the National Basketball League title.

1940: Release of Dance, Girl, Dance

In 1940, Dance, Girl, Dance was released, telling the story of two dancers from Akron and inducted into the National Film Registry.

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1940: Wendell Willkie Works For Firestone

In 1940, Wendell Willkie, the Republican nominee for president, worked in Akron as a lawyer for Firestone.

1940: Firestone Non-Skids NBL Title

In 1940, the Akron Firestone Non-Skids won the National Basketball League title.

July 7, 1943: Record Precipitation

On July 7, 1943, Akron measured a record 5.96" of rain.

1943: Birth of Richard Smalley

In 1943, Richard Smalley, who later won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of buckminsterfullerene (buckyballs), was born in Akron.

1949: Winter Snowfall

Winter snowfall in 1949-50 amounted to 18.2 inches in Akron.

1951: Birth of Carol Folt

In 1951, Carol Folt, who later became the 11th chancellor and 29th chief executive of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was born in Akron.

1952: Semi-Annual Graduation Ends

From 1877 until 1952, Akron graduated students semi-annually instead of annually.

1958: Professional Bowlers Association Started

In 1958, the Professional Bowlers Association was founded in Akron.

September 1960: Monthly Precipitation

In September 1960, Akron experienced 0.20 inches of precipitation.

1960: Population Loss

From 1960, Akron experienced a significant collapse in population.

1963: Annual Precipitation

Annual precipitation in Akron was 23.79 inches in 1963.

1964: 1964 The Tribute

The tribute band, 1964 The Tribute, was formed in Akron in 1964.

1967: Kenmore Launches Air Force JROTC

In 1967, Kenmore High School launched the Air Force JROTC program.

1967: Akron Vulcans Football

In 1967, the Akron Vulcans, a professional football team, played in the Continental Football League for part of the season.

1968: Wooster Avenue Riots

In 1968, Akron experienced a major civil unrest event known as the Wooster Avenue riots.

1969: Original Library Opening

The Akron-Summit County Public Library originally opened in 1969.

1970: End of Erie Lackawanna's Lake Cities

In 1970, the Erie Lackawanna's Lake Cities passenger trains ended service to Akron.

1970: Population Shift

In 1970, the Non-Hispanic White population in Akron was 81.0%.

1971: Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc. Founded

In 1971, Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc. was founded in Akron by the Eta Tau Lambda chapter.

1971: Middle School Model Piloted

In 1971, Jennings piloted the middle school model, which moved ninth-graders to the senior high school.

1971: End of B&O's Shenandoah

In 1971, the B&O's Shenandoah passenger train service ended in Akron.

1974: Human Skin Grown in Lab

In 1974, Howard Igel and Aaron Freeman successfully grew human skin in a lab to treat burn victims, making Akron Children's Hospital the first hospital in the world to achieve this.

1977: Winter Snowfall

Winter snowfall in 1977-78 amounted to 82.0 inches in Akron.

January 1978: Snowiest Month

January 1978 was the snowiest month on record in Akron, with 37.5 inches of snowfall.

1981: ...All the Marbles

In 1981, the Akron Armory was used as a venue for a female wrestling team in the film ...All the Marbles.

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1981: Akron Art Museum Relocation

In 1981, the Akron Art Museum moved to its current location at the renovated 1899 post office building.

1982: Release of "My City Was Gone"

In 1982, Akron native Chrissie Hynde wrote "My City Was Gone", a song by The Pretenders, to reflect Akron's decline during the 1980s.

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1983: City of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health

In 1983, the Supreme Court case City of Akron v. Akron Center for Reproductive Health occurred.

1984: All-day Kindergarten and In-School Suspension Piloted

In 1984, all-day kindergarten was piloted at Seiberling, Rankin and Hatton schools, and Ellet, East and Garfield high schools piloted the in-school suspension program.

1986: Space Shuttle Challenger disaster

In 1986, Akron native and second U.S. female astronaut in space, Judith Resnik, tragically died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The Resnik Moon crater was named in her honor.

1986: Publication of "Thomas and Beulah"

In 1986, Rita Dove, an Akron native and former Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, published "Thomas and Beulah", a book of poetry telling the story of her grandparents.

Thomas and Beulah

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1986: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1986, the University of Akron's men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

1987: Pulitzer Prize for Rita Dove

In 1987, Rita Dove won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her book Thomas and Beulah, many of her poems are about or take place in Akron.

Thomas and Beulah

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1987: Superfund Site Cleanup Began

In 1987, cleanup began at a Superfund site in Akron contaminated by a former electrical transformer deconstruction operation.

1987: District Receives A+ Evaluation

In 1987, the Akron City School District received an A+ evaluation from the state.

1989: Release of My Name is Bill W.

In 1989, the film My Name is Bill W. was released, telling the story of Bill Wilson, who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous which held its first meetings at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.

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1990: Annual Precipitation

Annual precipitation in Akron was 65.70 inches in 1990.

1991: Rugrats

In 1991, the Pickles family of the Rugrats was from Akron.

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1991: Normal Yearly Precipitation

Normal yearly precipitation based on the 30-year average from 1991 in Akron is 41.57 inches.

January 19, 1994: Record Low Temperature

On January 19, 1994, Akron set its all-time record low temperature of −25 °F.

1994: Knight Center Opening

The John S. Knight Center opened in 1994.

1996: WAKC becomes WVPX

In 1996, Akron lost its only native news station when the former WAKC became WVPX.

1997: Bill Clinton Speech

In 1997, President Bill Clinton gave a noted racial relations speech in Akron.

1997: RubberDucks Move to Akron

In 1997, the RubberDucks, formerly known as the Akron Aeros, moved to Akron from Canton.

1999: Akron Safety Ranking

In 1999, Akron was ranked as the 94th most dangerous city and the 229th safest city on the 7th Morgan Quitno list.

1999: In Too Deep

In 1999, J.Reid of In Too Deep was from Akron.

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2000: Decrease in Rubber Workers

From 2000, the number of rubber workers in Akron decreased by roughly half.

2000: Superfund Site Cleanup Concluded

In 2000, the cleanup of the Superfund site in Akron concluded, but the area remains restricted.

2001: Akron Listed as High-Tech Haven

In 2001, Newsweek listed Akron fifth of ten high-tech havens.

2001: Polymer Manufacturing

In 2001, more than 400 companies manufactured polymer-based materials in the Akron region.

2002: Akron featured in "No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way"

In 2002, Akron serves as a setting in the first-person-shooter PC platform video game "No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way".

2002: Akron Digital Academy Opened

The Akron Digital Academy served Akron from 2002 until 2018.

July 2003: Monthly Precipitation

In July 2003, Akron experienced 12.55 inches of precipitation.

2003: Jake 2.0

In 2003, Jake Foley was from Akron in Jake 2.0.

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January 2004: Methamphetamine Distribution

Beginning in January 2004, Akron saw significant methamphetamine distribution, contributing to Summit County's reputation as the "Meth Capital of Ohio."

2004: Release of Rubber Factory album

In 2004, The Black Keys released their album "Rubber Factory", with the title referencing the former General Tire & Rubber Company factory in Akron where it was recorded.

2004: Library Reopening

In 2004, the Akron-Summit County Public Library reopened as a greatly expanded facility.

2005: Publication of "The Coast of Akron"

In 2005, "The Coast of Akron", a novel by former editor of Esquire, Adrienne Miller, was published. The city serves as the setting for the book.

The Coast of Akron: A Novel

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2005: Joint News Program Cancelled

In 2005, WVPX and Cleveland's WKYC cancelled their joint news program.

2005: Elimination of Amtrak's Three Rivers Service

In 2005, passenger rail transportation was further reduced with the elimination of Amtrak's former Three Rivers service in Akron.

2005: American Architecture Award

In 2005, the John S. and James L. Knight Building, which would become the Akron Art Museum expansion, received the American Architecture Award from the Chicago Athenaeum while still under construction.

2005: Mention in Prison Break

In 2005, the connection to Saint Thomas Hospital was mentioned in an episode of the television series Prison Break, where Michael Scofield speaks to Sara Tancredi on the phone.

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2006: Biomedical Corridor Start

Since its start in 2006, Akron's Biomedical Corridor added the headquarters of companies such as Akron Polymer Systems.

2007: Appearance in I'm In Hell and The Virgin of Akron, Ohio

In 2007, Akron was portrayed as "Hell on Earth" in the television series I'm In Hell and was the location of a holy woman in The Virgin of Akron, Ohio.

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2007: Zippy Mascot Award

In 2007, Zippy, one of the eight female NCAA mascots, won the National Mascot of the Year contest.

2007: Increase in Aggravated Assaults

In 2007, preliminary Ohio crime statistics showed that aggravated assaults in Akron increased by 45%.

2007: Akron Art Museum Expansion Design

In 2007, the Akron Art Museum commissioned Coop Himmelblau to design an expansion, divided into the "Crystal", the "Gallery Box", and the "Roof Cloud".

2007: Akron Police Department Grant

In 2007, the Akron Police Department (APD) received a grant to combat meth labs, coordinating with the Summit County Drug Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration to form the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Response Team.

2007: Akron Riverwalk Project Begins

In 2007, the Akron Riverwalk project, featuring a large retail and commercial development area, began but was put on hold due to the Great Recession.

2007: Decrease in Rubber Workers

Until 2007, the number of rubber workers in Akron decreased by roughly half.

2008: Addie Polk Shooting

In 2008, 91-year-old Akron native Addie Polk became the poster child of the Great Recession after shooting herself.

2008: All-America City Award

In 2008, Akron received the All-America City Award for the third time.

2008: Akron Trips in My Own Worst Enemy and M.Y.O.B

In 2008, Henry Spivey of My Own Worst Enemy traveled to Akron, and M.Y.O.B., centered on an Akron runaway girl named Riley Veatch, was released.

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2008: Recognition for Summa Hospitals

In 2008, Summa Akron City Hospital and the former St. Thomas Hospital were recognized for the 11th consecutive year as one of "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report.

August 2009: Registered Meth Sites

By August 2009, Akron had significantly more registered meth sites than any other city in Ohio.

2009: Akron General Recognized

In 2009, Akron General Medical Center was recognized as one of "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report.

2009: Tree City USA Designation

In 2009, the National Arbor Day Foundation designated Akron as a Tree City USA for the 14th time.

2009: Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center Opened

In 2009, the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center opened on South Broadway Street in Akron, housing inter-city bus transportation through Greyhound Lines.

2009: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2009, the University of Akron's men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament and the Zips men's soccer team completed the regular-season undefeated.

2009: More than a Game Documentary

In 2009, the documentary More than a Game was released, documenting LeBron James and his St. Vincent – St. Mary High School basketball team's journey.

2010: Household Income

According to census data from 2010, the median income for a household in Akron was $34,139.

2010: Census Data

According to the 2010 census, the city of Akron has a total area of 62.37 square miles.

2010: National Polymer Innovation Center Opens

In 2010, the National Polymer Innovation Center opened on the University of Akron campus.

2010: Men's Soccer NCAA Championship

In 2010, the Zips men's soccer team won the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship.

2011: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2011, the University of Akron's men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

2012: Bridgestone Technical Center

In early 2012, Bridgestone moved its product development operations to a new technical center with R&D labs.

July 1, 2013: Carol Folt assumes duties at UNC

On July 1, 2013, Carol Folt assumed her duties as the 11th chancellor and 29th chief executive of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, becoming the first woman to lead UNC.

2013: Goodyear Global Headquarters

In 2013, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company opened its new global headquarters on Innovation Way.

2013: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2013, the University of Akron's men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

2014: Household Income

According to census data until 2014, the median income for a household in Akron was $34,139.

2014: Gay Games Events

In 2014, Akron hosted some of the events of the Gay Games including the marathon, the men's and women's golf tournaments at Firestone Country Club, and softball at Firestone Stadium.

May 8, 2015: Don Plusquellic Announces Resignation

On May 8, 2015, Don Plusquellic announced his resignation as mayor of Akron, effective May 31, after 28 years as mayor.

May 31, 2015: Garry Moneypenny Sworn In

On May 31, 2015, Garry Moneypenny was sworn in as the new mayor of Akron at East High School.

June 5, 2015: Moneypenny Announces He Will Not Run

On June 5, 2015, less than a week after taking office, Mayor Garry Moneypenny announced he would not run for a full term.

June 11, 2015: Jeff Fusco Assumes Mayoral Duties

On June 11, 2015, Council president Jeff Fusco assumed the duties of mayor after Moneypenny's resignation.

July 1, 2015: Mayoral Candidates Running

On July 1, 2015, there were three Democrats and one Republican running for Mayor of Akron.

November 3, 2015: Dan Horrigan Elected Mayor

On November 3, 2015, Dan Horrigan was elected as the 62nd mayor of the city of Akron.

2015: Akron's Sister Cities in 2015

As of 2015, Akron has two sister cities.

2015: Room is set in Akron

In 2015, the film Room is set in Akron, but filmed in Toronto with staging to signify Akron.

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January 1, 2016: Horrigan Takes Office

On January 1, 2016, Dan Horrigan officially took office as the mayor of Akron.

2016: Median Annual Income

According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, for the period 2016, the estimated median annual income for a household in Akron was $45,534.

2016: Nashville

In 2016, Avery Barkley from Nashville was from Akron.

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2016: Clayton Murphy Olympic Medalist

In 2016, Clayton Murphy, a professional middle-distance runner, won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games while competing for the Akron Zips.

2018: Akron Digital Academy Closed

The Akron Digital Academy closed in 2018 after operating since 2002.

November 5, 2019: Mayor Horrigan Re-elected

On November 5, 2019, Mayor Horrigan was re-elected to a second term.

2020: Median Annual Income

According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, for the period until 2020, the estimated median annual income for a household in Akron was $45,534.