Akron Industry

Akron was a great industrial spot along the canal because of its location. It had many resources which helped it to thrive, one being the canal; for the time the canal was one of the most modern and fastest way to transport goods from A to B. One canal boat could hold almost as much as a 18 wheeler does today, so as for what you could transport there were many possibilities. One of the major factors for Akron's industry was the rubber and polymer manufactures. I think that the tire industry probably could have only thrived in another place given it had such a great transportation method for the time.

Akron is working to rebuild the city to show everyone that even though alot of industry has moved out more jobs can and will take its place. Akron took a part of the city which was ran down and no one wanted to live there and transformed it into a great place to live. They are building houses and making it feel like a suburban setting while still having the advantages of being in a city. Places like the old Quaker square is appealing to people to come in and visit the city, to show that there is a great history behind the city.

I feel that akron is a great city mainly because of everything that I listed above, not only is it rebuilding but it has many great things to offer to everyone and not just from the history standpoint. I feel that what Akron lacks to be able to compete with other metropolitan centers is the attitude that people have towards the city. Some people think that Akron is some run down city that nothing goes on there, some don't even bother to go and take a look for themselves.

Akron is a great place to visit, also a great place to live. I am glad that I was able to spend the day touring the city. And yes, I know my blog is late...better late then never I suppose.

--
Fosch

Akron Industry

The canal was the defining feature of Akron in its prime. The manual labor that building the canal required, and the commerce that it brought to the region when it was completed made Akron a truly great place to live and work. Even today, the remnants of these things that made Akron prosper are helping lead the city to prosperity once again. The towpath and the canal bring visitors to the area every day. The old silos have been transformed into a hotel-thing. The old factories are now something of a tourist attraction. The community and fellowship that was so strong during the canal era is being brought back in the new housing developments, and the community's new plan for the park.

Akron is not only relying on the past to make a comeback, but modern technology as well. The polymer lab was working on some fascinating, and in the future, possibly world-changing research, such as a cure for diabetes, and synthetic skin and bones. Akron is cool.

My 2 Cents

I have seen a few of you write about how Akron is working to re-invent itself a bit...keep in mind that this area WILL make a powerful comeback in years to come...why you ask?...very simple...WATER!!...the states that surround the Great Lakes have created a consortium and have put through legislation that has already made it through the House of Representatives in order to keep the water for these states...other areas of the country are already experiencing drought, just ask parts of California, Arizona, Georgia, and Tennesse...

..

As people have moved to these areas in search of a better climate useage issues have outpaced the infrastructure and natural resources...a few of these areas need their water trucked in daily...there are even law suits over what state has the rights to rivers, etc...for instance, who owns the water rights, is it where the river originates, or where most of it flows, or even where it ends...??(this is mainly in the summer months)...once again water will be THEE resource that puts this area back on the map...much like the canal days when water helped bring industry to the area, the Great Lakes will be at it again providing new "industry" for the area.

Remember, you heard it here first...

Industry Along the Canal

As I do every other field trip I enjoyed this one also. This trip was probably by far the most informative one yet.
I believe Akron survived as an industrial city along the canal for many reasons. Because of the Canal being located right along the city it gave businesses many opportunities for moving and shipping products to other places, without the availability of cars. While the city has fallen downhill they are trying very hard to bring industry back to Akron. One of the most thriving businesses currently is actually the University of Akron. Even though it is not really a business it is doing very much for the city as a whole. With the purchase of the old silos of Ferdinand Schumacker the university is also in the process of building brand new sports facilities with the last zips game at the rubber bowl last week. Projects like the north loft apartments that we toured bring money to the city. One thing that the city falls short on these goals is many factories such as Goodyear and Firestone are downsizing. Therefore losing money for the city.
While I wouldn't consider Akron a great city it far from just a city. Akron's industry benefits greatly from its strategic location. While having water transportation along the canal they also have the availability of trains. WIth the canal in its location the combination of CLeveland andAkron makie it a thriving corridor because it provides a direct route to lake erie. The one thing that Akron and Cleveland lack though is the availability ofa subway transit system. This system is very beneficial to the many other thriving cities in our country.
I enjoyed this trip and I am looking forward to the next one.

Akron Industry

Akron thrived on the Ohio and Erie canal because of its location at the "summit", a spot that once connected Lake Erie to the Ohio River. When B.F. Goodrich started his tire business in the small village the population increased by 200% and the land area went from 7,254 to 16,120 acres.

To rebuild it's cultural and economic success, the city hosts the National Hamburger Festival every summer, a tribute to Akron's role in the invention of the hamburger. Also, the Soap Box Derby encourages children from around the country to race their gravity powered cars down a steep hill. The Goodyear World of Rubber Museum honors the company that made Akron flourish in the early 20th century.

Akron has turned from the booming industries into a business center where many people make a living. I don't believe that it is just a city in the Cleveland area because it has its own history, however, they are connected by the Cuyahoga Valley's towpath and they do share some history when they were both key spots on the canal.

Akron cannot compete with other metropolitan centers because it lacks the ability to grasp people's attention. It has some areas of interest like Quaker Square and the Art Museum, but the overall brilliance of Akron left when the rubber industry declined in the 1970s.

Akron Industry

**I would like to preface this entry and just comment that I wasn't able to do anything before the Spaghetti Warehouse due to prior Saturday morning engagements, so I will answer/journal about as much as I can...

The city seems to be progressively moving towards economic success by the research and experiments done at the University of Akron. I'm not going to lie--a LOT of what the guy said went over my head, but as long as there ARE people that understand polymers and all that good stuff, I'd say Akron's in pretty good shape.

Akron Industry Trip

-- Cyrus Sethna --

Why did Akron succeed as an industrial spot along the canal? Most of Akron's growth in its early years can be attributed to being at the "summit" of the Ohio and Erie Canals. The history of the rubber industry and Akron's history go hand-in-hand. Rubber transformed the City of Akron from a small canal town into a fledgling city. Lots of rubber manufacturers started coming to Akron starting with B.F. Goodrich in 1869. For a while Akron, Ohio was the fastest growing American city.

Akron has taken many steps to try and spruce itself up again. The whole "Quaker Square" deal is a classic example. The hotel made out of silos is nifty, when my parents got married they put their guests up there. It's just a very neat place to stay with some local color. When I was little I'd always wonder what it was like to be inside as we drove past. I'm a huge fan of Quaker Square. It was an excellent idea to spruce up the former site of the Quaker Oats Company, but now it's not even a shadow of what it was when I was a lad. I'm really bummed about the largest model train display that used to be at the Depot but is no longer there.

These, "Ooh, come look at us!" attractions are examples of how the City (or people in the city) is using its history to boost itself a little economically. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they have failed completely; however, they aren't really glowing successes. I don't really need to point out why, just look around Akron. People aren't going to flock to Akron, Ohio to see where the rubber industry got its start or where Ferdinand Schumacher made a somewhat yucky breakfast food.

Akron was once a great City, but now it has shrunk considerably on the map. I wouldn't say it's just Cleveland's mistress, but it definitely doesn't have as much to offer as Cleveland does. I don't really see how Akron and Cleveland could interact more than they already do. They're two discrete cities with only a defunct canal in common.

What does Akron lack that prevents it from competing with other metropolitan areas? I don't thinik that this is the right question. The question is what does Akron have that prevents it from being on a level playing field? The answer is simple. There are too many poor minorities that are scaring the rich white folks away. And the few rich white folks that make it there get bored because there isn't really anything for them to do. There are only so many times you can go to the Akron Art Museam. The soap box derby is cool.

Akron Industry Trip

--Ashley--

Akron succeeded as an industrial spot along the canal for many reasons. For example, many jobs were created as a result of the commerce flowing through the canal. Some of those jobs were building the canal boats, guiding the boats through the locks, and loading and unloading the cargo. This leads to another important reason as to why Akron was very successful at that time. The canal was a great way to transport many goods faster and at one time.

Akron is slowly trying to gain back its economical and cultural success. Not only did they preserve some history by turning the Quaker Mills into hotel’s and offices, they also have the Inventor’s Museum, and Akron University has expanded which attracts many students. The Akron Polymer Science Building is also beneficial because they are helping expand the study of polymers to invent or improve things such as bullet proof vests. Another thing Akron is trying to do is to create as comfortable, and more suburban living place within the city limits. Most are near the park system where they are trying to connect the Cleveland and Akron bike trail.

Also, at my dad’s request, they have the Firestone golf classic.

Akron seems to be heading in a good direction so far, but as Anna said, there is still room for growth.

Akron and the Canal

The canal allowed Akron to be successful. It gave the people jobs and the resources were great. The city now is trying to rebuild things for a historic past. Like the interbelt night club that is going from being a gay bar to soon a jazz club.

Akron is a great place because of it's historic sites. Also helping Akron is the Akron University, which is home to many many students. Especially attracting many people for the polymer lab.

While Akron is a historic and great city, it definitely has a lot to do to be at once where it used to be. If it could restore itself to a better time, things would be great. Not just in the city, but also in the suburbs. Now when you drive through Akron one block a way from the loft houses are government housing. Akron is still today and important part of Ohio.

Tour of Akron

Akron succeeded as an industry mostly because it had the canal. The canal transported goods faster than any other method of transportation at the time and also provided jobs for the people of the area. Men had jobs building the canals and locks, cutting the stones, and building and working ships to use in the canals. There were plenty of jobs available. Akron also succeeded because of the tire companies that were started there like Goodyear and Firestone. These places thrived because they were some of the first places to make rubber tires and they somewhat monopolized the business. This industry probably could have thrived other places though too, like Cleveland.

Akron is moving towards a more communal setting with houses in a more neighborhoodly order. They expect young people in business to move in and the way the houses are set up, they are trying to create a nicer community setting with people on their porches and garages in back as opposed to in front of houses. Economically, Akron is getting more involved with Polymers by studying new uses for them, like enzymes. One thing they are learning how to create is polymer bandages to heal skin quicker on burn victims.

Akron is a great city because it is trying to bring people from all angles by creating a more community setting yet still supporting industries there. The polymer lab probably helps to draw in many students interested in the field and the city's history also helps bring people in, like the hotel that was converted from the quaker oats building. The Cuyahoga Valley helps connect Akron with Cleveland because of the many paths and the railraod that bring the cities togethor. People can travel to each city easily and see the beautiful scenery on the way. In the past, the canals have been able to connect the cities through trade and business. I honestly can't think of anything Akron is majorly lacking in, but it is not a perfect city and there is definately room for growth.

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