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U.S. declares independence from England
If the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence had not happened, Ohio would have most likely been a completely different place. This event gave us true freedom, as we have today. The Declaration of Independance is truly what kickstarted not only Akron, but the whole Northwest Territory. -
Ohio becomes part of the Northwest Territory
The Northwest Territory was a portion of land covering modern-day Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Along with it came the Northwest Ordinance, which stated the criteria to become a state. The Northwest Ordinance provided Ohio with a huge incentive, becoming a state, when they raised their population and created a stable state government. -
Moses Cleaveland arrives at site of Cleveland
Moses Cleaveland was the surveyor and eventual founder of Cleaveland. Without him, Cleveland would not have its current name. He brought 52 people with him to survey the land, who became the first members of the population. -
Ohio becomes a free territory
Ohio becoming a free territory and it also bordering a slave territory led to the Underground Railroad running through it. Since Ohio was often the first free state escaping slaves would come to, many Underground Railroad travelers came through the state. Also, if Ohio was not a free state it would have most likely been a Confederate in the Civil War. -
Ohio becomes a state
Ohio met the standards set by the Northwest Ordinance when they became a state. It had over 5000 landowning free males, a population of over 60,000 and a state government. If Ohio did not become a state, our lives could be completely different today. -
Simon Perkins purchases land for Akron
Simon Perkins bought land along the future site of the Ohio and Erie Canal to build the city of Akron. The canal gave settlers a big incentive to settling in Akron. The location Simon Perkins chose for his city brought much prosperity to it's people and industry. -
War of 1812 Starts
The War of 1812 was fought against the British in order to stop the abuse of American seamen and for the United States to expand it's territory. The Battle of Lake Erie was fought close to Akron, where the U.S. won with General Oliver Hazard Perry. This battle ensured the U.S control over Lake Erie, and with that, ensured a prosperous future for Akron's industry. -
Akron established as a town
Akron began it's climb to greatness with it's humble beginnings. The establishing of Akron as a town was just another stepping stone for it to become the city it is today. -
Ohio and Erie Canal opens
The Ohio and Erie Canal was an integral part of the growth of the state of Ohio and Akron. It was an easy way of transportation and companies shipped their goods upon it. The Ohio and Erie canal brought many different industries to Ohio as well. -
Underground Railroad takes shape in Ohio
Because Ohio, a free state, bordered Kentucky, a slave state, Ohio was extremely important in the Underground Railroad. Many slaves passed though on their way to freedom. The population of free African-Americans who had escaped slavery in Ohio made up a percentage of the work force. -
John Brown moves to Akron
John Brown was a famous abolitionist who lived in Akron. He carried out a famous raid on an armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Even though he took protesting to the extreme, he was a factor in the abolishing of slavery. -
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland established in Cleveland
The Diocese of Cleveland helped start Catholic schools, like Hoban, in the Northeast Ohio area. It also established early orphanages, hospitals and churches in the area. The Diocese of Cleveland is a big help in Catholic education today. -
Ohio Constitution of 1851 adopted
The Residents of Ohio felt it necessary that the original constitution from 1803 be restructured. This new constitution allowed for citizens to elect a governor and other high-ranking state officials. This constitution was a major step towards Ohio's greatness today. -
Civil War starts
The Civil War started because of the issue of slavery. Southern slave states seceded from the northern free states and conflict ensued. Ohio was part of the union because it was a free state. Ohio supplied the union with manufactured goods and weapons. -
Civil War ends
The Civil War helped boost Ohio's economy in a time of need. People who fought in the war had come back to Ohio and had experienced new things and had new ideas for industries, and some went on to be very successful. The Union, Ohio's side, won the war. -
Rockefeller's Standard Oil is established
John D. Rockefeller's company Standard Oil built a monopoly in the oil business by eliminating all of their competitors. Although the company was extremely successful, it led to the government paying more attention to monopolies. -
African-Americans given the right to vote (15th Amendment)
Since Ohio had such a large African-American population, this amendment had a big impact on election results. It was a big step towards equal rights for all. -
B.F. Goodrich moves his tire company to Akron
B.F. Goodrich moved his company, the Hudson River Rubber Company, from New York to Akron. He came because there were no rubber manufacturers west of the Applalachians, so there was no competition. Goodrich set a trend that led to Akron's economy and industries taking a major leap. -
Buchtel College opens
John R. Buchtel started Buchtel college, which is now known as Akron University. It makes up much of downtown Akron today, and has educated countless students since it's creation. -
Akron City Hospital founded
Akron City Hospital was started out of Dr. Samuel Barteges' house. The hospital continued to grow and was the first of Akron's major health care centers. Because of this, Akron was established as a place where people could get jobs in the medical field and seek help for problems. -
Harvey Firestone
Harvey Firestone moves to Akron and establishes the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. Akron will soon become the rubber capital of the world -
Wright Brothers
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, born in Dayton, complete the world's first successful flight controlled by man. The feat leads to a new age of invention and aviation. -
Harvey and Henry
Harvey Firestone agrees to supply Henry Ford with tires for his automobiles. This partnership skyrockets Akron's rubber sales -
Industrial Expo
Cleveland hosts industrial exposition. The expo raises regional awareness of Clevelands industrial achievements. -
William Howard Taft elected President
William Howard Taft was one of many important leaders to come from Ohio. Ohio has produces multiple presidents and government officials over it's tenure as a state. -
State flood
Statewide flood resulting in the deaths of 428 Ohioans. Property damage is estimated at $333 million. Deadliest natural disaster in state history. -
General Tire
William O'Neil finds General Tire in Akron. O'Neil believed Akron was the place to get into the rubber business. -
U.S. enters WWI
The demand for rubber and steel during the war helps Ohio grow economically. Akron is the country's leader in rubber production. -
Rubber Reserve Company
President Roosevelt forms the Rubber Reserve Company (RRC) because of the lack of natural rubber. The RRC demands 400,000 tons of synthetic rubber to be produced annually by four companies: Jersey Standard, Firestone, Goodrich, Goodyear. -
U.S. enters World War 2
When the U.S. entered the war, the majority of the country's men were sent away, so women were pushed into the workforce. Akron manufactured tires for aircraft and other items for the war effort. Ohio played a major part in supplying U.S. troops with what they needed.
