A Few Area Highlights in Akron Ohio

 A Few Area Highlights in Akron, Ohio

 

Akron Ohio was founded in 1825. It was at one time famous for being the Rubber Capitol of the World. It was named this because it once manufactured tires, by Firestone, and Goodyear.

 

  Akron is also famous for its Soap Box Derby, where children make box cars and race them down a hill. This is located behind the Rubber Bowl, where the local High Schools have their football games. The field is now owned by the University of Akron, Akron Zips.
The city is also famous for its Blimp hanger, where blimps are housed and made. Many years ago in the 80's one of the Presidents made a speech from there, and the public was allowed in, and myself and my family were there. Currently there is a blimp named "The Spirit of Akron" or "Spirit" for short.

Another famous land mark in Akron is the Quaker Oats building where Quaker originally made and manufactured the famous oats. Today it is a hotel, and a landmark, saving and viewing old mill pieces, train pieces and things regarding the factory and the stages of the making, and the advertising of the oats.

Akron also has a newly designed baseball diamond in the Downtown area; it was made for the Akron Aero's an Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

There is also a nice walk path in Akron, and Canal Park with rubber walk paths, made of recycled rubber tires, in honor of the rubber capitol title.

Another great attraction for children is the Akron Skate Park, created by the Akron Parks and Recreation. You can skateboard, roller skate, inline skate, and even watch.

There is a very famous attraction called "The Old Stone School." Where students are brought on a field trip with their grade school classes to view the way children learned in the "old days." There are the old desks, the individual chalk boards, and the old coal heater, and a teacher who is dressed like the old time, which shows you exactly how it was done, how you didn't use paper, and how learning was done. It has been a tourist attraction for years, and most any person who has ever been enrolled in Akron Public Schools and surrounding areas, have went their on a field trip as a child.
 
There is the famous "Y" bridge, abducted in 1985, connecting downtown Akron to West Akron. The ever famous Garfield Band, from Garfield High School marched across that bridge, in a parade to abduct that bridge, and announce its opening, where the mayor explained the purpose in the bridge. Underlying the bridge is another section of Akron, much lower to the ground. I have enclosed a picture with this, you can see the 2 levels, and why the bridge was made. I was a part of the opening event of this bridge, as I was in the Garfield Band!

Akron is also famous for a sculpture made out of a huge red oak tree. It was sculpted by Peter Toth in 1985. It is in front of Fairlawn Elementary, and is a sculpture of an Indian, named Rotaynah. This was sculpted to commemorate Akron's native heritage.

Akron, is where the famous Akron Beacon Journal is published. You can view this newspaper online at www.ohio.com It was founded by John S. Knight. To honor him, there is the famous John S. Knight convention center, located in downtown.

Akron is also famous for the National Inventors Hall of fame, which opened in 1995. It is the 3^rd most popular hall of fame in America in 1995, with 290,000 visitors. It houses inventions and commemorates the inventors for what they have, and will invent even in the future.

Akron, is also where I was born, raised and lived until 1998 when I moved away.

Review: Swenson's Drive In Restrauraunts in Akron Ohio & Surrounding Area's!

Review of Swenson's Drive in Restaurants in Akron, Ohio & Surrounding Area's!

Deneale K. Williams, Yahoo Contributor Network
Aug 26, 2009

My family and I were born and raised in Akron, Ohio. Unfortunately, my parents, (to my knowledge and recollection, anyway.) only took us out to eat once in a blue moon.

 

 

Once I became an adult, I was able to get out more and explore. It was 1984 when I was introduced to a drive in style restaurant known as "Swenson's." And with this introduction, came a sandwich my boy friend insisted I try. Before trying it, I wanted to know what was on it, and why it was so "awesome," in his own words.
There is a sandwich there known as the "Galley Boy." If you were ever in the military, you would know the Galley is the kitchen. My boy friend told me what was on it; this is where you will do what I did: the ingredients include tartar sauce and barbecue sauce. One doesn't think those two combinations should be together, until one tries the sandwich.

I did not order it; I simply grossed out, and said I would simply have a bite. And a bite, is all it takes.
It is not gross; it is the most wonderful taste you could imagine. Melted cheese, and fresh meat, and even home made bread that has a bit of a sweet taste to it.
The server when asked what was all on the sandwich, explained that it is a galley boy, and that galley means kitchen, "Therefore," she laughed, "Everything including the kitchen sink!"

Swenson's first opened in 1934 by Wesley "Pop" Swenson. Its original location was on South Hawkins. It was a very small building, and they produced a whole new taste, that made everyone keep coming back for more! This place must be good, if they are now celebrating 75 years of service!
Swenson's has several locations in Ohio. My favorite one, was the one in Cuyahoga Falls, where I made my discovery.

Once married, I pulled the same stunt as pulled on me, with my husband. He too, cringed and didn't want a sandwich of his own. But once he bit into mine, he took it from me, and ordered another.
They also make awesome fried mushrooms, onion rings, and tater tots. And my kids loved their grilled cheese, because they didn't skimp with the cheese the way the school lunch does.

If you are in a hurry, you can call ahead. But don't worry, even if you just drop in, the service is still hot and fresh and even fast! Now, they even do catering!

Here are the locations, along with that specific locations hours:

Swenson's Drive In Restaurant's:

North Akron
658 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave.
(330) 928-8515
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 11:00 am to 1:00 am
Friday and Saturday 11:00 am to 1:30 am

Stow/Kent
4466 Kent Rd. (Rt. 59)
(330) 678-7775
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 11:00 am to midnight
Friday and Saturday 11:00 am to 1:30 am

Montrose
40 Brookmont Rd.
(330) 665-1858
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 11:00 am to midnight
Friday and Saturday 11:00 am to 1:30 am

North Canton
1558 N. Main Street
(330) 499-9494
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am to midnight

Jackson
5815 Wales Ave.
(330) 833-5454
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am to Midnight

Seven Hills
7635 Broadview Road
(216) 986-1934
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 11:00 am to Midnight
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am to 1:30 am

As you can well enough see, the Swenson craze took off, and they have expanded a great deal. They started off small, and word of mouth put them on the map. People who know Northern Ohio, know of Swenson's.
Now they have their own web site, and on this site, they even sell their own memorabilia. You can also request a bumper sticker while at the drive in themselves. On the web site, is also their menu, the history, and locations, including a map to help you get there.

Here is that link: http://www.swensonsdriveins.com/default.asp

If you are looking for a job, that information is also available online. And, they DO want to know about your dining experience, even if it was bad, and that you can find in the "contact us" link.

I give Swenson's a perfect ten, and have for many years now.

Published by Deneale K. Williams