One of the old manufacturing companies of Akron the Selle Gear Company was incorporated in 1885. They were manufacturers of wagon gears and wagons. The buildings were located at Chestnut and South High Streets. Picture was taken about 1900.

 

North Howard Street is in the right foreground and the Akron Street Railway Co.'s power plant is in the center of this undated view from a rooftop. To the left of the power plant you can see Lock 10 of the old Ohio & Erie Canal. Crossing the canal is the long trestle that the Pittsburg, Akron & Western railroad erected in 1891.

Great Western Cereal Company

The Great Western Cereal Company was incorporated in 1901 by O.C. Barber. In 1911 Quaker Oats purchased the Great Western. Great Western was located on the southeast corner of Broadway and Mill streets, now the location of Quaker Square and the Hilton Hotel.

 

George J. Renner Brewing Company

The George Renner Brewing Company was established in 1845. One of their popular brand names was Grossvater. Prohibition forced Renners to start making near beer containing less than half of one percent of alcohol. After the prohibition law was repealed, they started making real beer again and to keep up with demand, were forced to operate around the clock.

 

Largest Printing and Publishing Co. in the World

In the late 1890s, Akron had one industry of which it could be very proud, the Werner Company, owners of the largest printing and publishing plant in the world.

 

Klages Coal and Ice Company

This photo was taken in 1910. Klages Coal and Ice Company was established in 1879 and its first ice for selling was obtained from Summit Lake, Blue Pond, White Pond and the East Reservoir.

 

This picture shows the ruins of Schumacher Jumbo Mills destroyed by fire on March 6, 1886 causing a loss of $600,000. Because he was so frugal, Ferdinand Schumacher did not carry insurance on his mill.

 

 

The XXTH Century Heating and Ventilating Company - 1905

The XXth Century Company had its beginnings in 1894. Although it was not yet the twentieth century, the company was aptly named because it was so far advanced with its heating systems. The demand for their heaters existed in every state in the country and in Canada.

 

 

Firestone Tire and Rubber Plant Akron Ohio

 

Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. office staff of 1909

 

Akron Milling Company

Courtesy of Sharon Weaver.
Taken by George J. Snook who had a Gallery opposite the P. O. Akron, Ohio

 

Empire Works
(also called) Empire Mower & Reaper

Courtesy of Sharon Weaver.
Taken by George J. Snook who had a Gallery opposite the P. O. Akron, Ohio

 

Sieberling Mill

Courtesy of Sharon Weaver.
Taken by George J. Snook who had a Gallery opposite the P. O. Akron, Ohio

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The Enterprise Manufacturing Company & The E.A. Pflueger Company

Cereal Industry