Where can you go to sleep in a renovated grain silo (a place called Quaker Square), pay a visit to one of the best examples of Tudor Revival architecture in America, and uncover an interactive science museum of invention? Akron, Ohio, of course is the City of Invention. A two-time All-America City and awarded first place in the City Livability Award competition by the United States Conference of Mayors in 1999.
Akron is the home of the National Inventor's Hall of Fame and also Inventure Place--an interactive museum of invention, the Soap Box Derby, Alcoholics Anonymous, oatmeal, artificial fishing bait, the NEC Invitational golf tournament, and also Stan Hywet Hall - one of the greatest examples of Tudor Revival Architecture around America.
Akron was founded by Simon Perkins in 1825 and developed into a canal town around the Ohio and Erie Canal. As railroads changed the canal system, the rubber industry developed in the entrepreneurship of Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich, F.A. Seiberling, and Harvey Firestone. The presence of B.F. Goodrich Tire, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Firestone Tire, and also General Tire led Akron being the Rubber Capital of the World. Outstanding cereal mills, including the Quaker Oats Company were also positioned in Akron.
Now, Akron is a world-renowned center of polymer research, and development. The Polymer Science Institute of the University of Akron has made us an international leader in education within the polymer field. More than 35,000 people in the Akron area are employed in around 400 polymer related companies. Akron is also home to several small manufacturing firms, and it has a large variety of retail establishments and also shopping complexes.
Fifty percent of America's population lives in a 500- mile radius of Akron, and within a 150- mile radius roughly 10 million people. Akron has easy accessibility to a network of superhighways and is a primary trucking hub. A market potential of 111 million people lives within a day's drive of Akron.
Excellent quality, affordable housing makes Akron an impressive place to live. The availability of green space provided by 6,600 acres of Metropolitan Parks, in just minutes from residential areas makes Akron a great blend of urban convenience and pastoral beauty. The park system has a 25-mile bike and hike trail.
Akron is also home to the Ohio Ballet, The Akron Symphony Orchestra, and E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall which brings Broadway plays, and lots of world renowned entertainers to the City. We are also home to the Akron Aeros, the Cleveland Indians AA baseball team. Canal Park is the new state-o- the-art baseball stadium in downtown Akron on Main Street. The historic Ohio and Erie Canal runs just beyond center field. It is currently being created to provide a panoramic spot which includes a bike and hike trail and picnic area for the amusement of residents and also visitors.
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