| Akron Ohio has a population of about 215,000, in | | | | "steps"; were required to allow boats to climb the |
| a metropolitan area, the Akron-Canton area, with | | | | Continental Divide. This "staircase" of locks is |
| a total population of 1.1 million. Akron is a city rich | | | | currently preserved in Cascade Locks Metro Park |
| in history - from its role in the history of | | | | in Akron. |
| American canals in the early 19th century, to its | | | | Akron was made the county seat in 1832, and |
| later designation as the "rubber capital of the | | | | the population jumped from 3500 in 1860, to |
| world". Many American firsts came from Akron, | | | | 10,000 in 1870. In 1840 there was 40 miles of |
| which takes credit for the creation of the | | | | railroad track in Ohio; by 1910 more than 9,500 |
| hamburger, the ice cream cone, balloon tires, and | | | | miles of track operated. This jump in population |
| the Goodyear blimp. | | | | required housing, and both Seiberling and Firestone |
| The Firestone and Goodyear tire and rubber | | | | developed planned communities for their work |
| companies were important in the development of | | | | forces. |
| Akron. F. A. Seiberling, the chief of Goodyear, | | | | Firestone created "Firestone Park", located in |
| created Goodyear Heights on farm land 1/2 mile | | | | south Akron. The heart of the community is |
| northeast of the main Goodyear plant. Akron has | | | | Firestone Park, which is a public park, shaped like |
| 20 or more distinct neighborhoods for Akron | | | | the original Firestone shield emblem. |
| homes. One of the fastest growing since the | | | | Other neighborhoods include Fairlawn Heights on |
| 1990�s is Ellet, on the east side. .Ellet, | | | | the west side, which is the most affluent |
| annexed in 1929, includes many of | | | | community in Akron. On the east side, Highland |
| Akron�s bigger attractions, including: The | | | | Park is the location of the Portage Path, which |
| University of Akron�s Rubber Bowl; the | | | | was named after an Indian trail over which Indians |
| Derby Downs -- home of the annual All-American | | | | would carry their canoes between the Cuyahoga |
| Soap Box Derby; The Goodyear Airdock, which | | | | and the Tuscarawas Rivers. |
| used to house Goodyear's new blimp designs; and | | | | Just to the west of downtown is the Wooster |
| the Akron Fulton airport, which is city owned. | | | | area, which is the largest black majority |
| Akron is located near the Eastern Continental | | | | neighborhood in Akron. Elizabeth Park Valley, built |
| Divide. The Divide is a watershed which separates | | | | around the old Ohio and Erie Canal in the 1800's, is |
| the waters which flow to the Gulf of Mexico, | | | | on the Northwest side. The village of Middlebury |
| from the waters which flow to the Atlantic | | | | on the Little Cuyahoga River, which was the first |
| Ocean. The Ohio-Erie Canal connected the Ohio | | | | settlement in what is now Akron, is found |
| River to Lake Erie, going from Akron to | | | | immediately east of the University of Akron. The |
| Cleveland, with a descent of 395 feet. Akron was | | | | college neighborhood of University Park is also on |
| the summit of the canal, and in fact, the name | | | | the East Side, and is primarily the home of young |
| "Akron" came from a Greek word "akros" for | | | | adults. |
| high ground. The steepest section of the Ohio and | | | | The University of Akron has 23,000 students. |
| Erie Canal went between Akron and the Little | | | | There are two hospitals in Akron, and a municipal |
| Cuyahoga River where, in one mile, 15 locks, or | | | | airport. |