The battle of the burger--it’s a food rivalry that divides the town. Swensons' double cheeseburger, an Akron icon, versus Skyway Drive-In's SkyHi double-decker burger. This local spat made it all the way to The Food Network. Skyway offers the traditional double cheeseburger but Swensons grinds its own beef and butters its buns for the classic sandwich. While some Akronites will tell you one is better than the other, many are known to ignore taking sides and occasionally enjoy both.
The University of Akron official mascot’s name “Zippers” came way back in 1927 from the name for rubber galoshes or overshoe boots made by Akron’s Goodyear rubber company. Zippy the Kangaroo got the nod for the front seat back in 1953 and more recently the name was shortened to the easier and more modern “Zips.” Famous in the world of collegiate team mascots, Zippy won the national Capital One Mascot of the Year Challenge in 2007.
Even Zips fans like buckeyes… buckeye candies that is. You don’t have to be an Ohio State fan to like these sweet peanut butter treats covered in chocolate. The Buckeye Tree–Ohio’s official state tree, drops shiny dark colored nuts with a light colored core which makes them look like the eyes of a deer–hence buckeyes. People from Akron agree, The Ohio State University Buckeyes may be a rival, but buckeye candy is on everyone’s friend list. Buckeyes are the official state tree AND the official state candy.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded on borrowed money in 1898 by Frank A. Seiberling in an abandoned factory in Akron on the banks of the Little Cuyahoga River. Seiberling named the company in honor of Charles Goodyear, who had died 30 years prior, after discovering the rubber vulcanization process in 1839. Goodyear “blimps,” as they are popularly known, began in 1924 when Goodyear acquired Zeppelin patents, making possible construction of rigid airships in the U.S. Goodyear tires and the rubber industry are a large part of the Akron Identity. No worries though--that burning rubber smell is long gone.
Alcoholics Anonymous first started in Akron, in 1935. Founded by Bill Wilson, a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob Smith, an Akron surgeon, AA has become a model for recovery around the world. Bill and Dr. Bob both had been hopeless alcoholics, but after meeting, they immediately began dialogue with alcoholics at Akron’s City Hospital, where one patient quickly achieved complete sobriety. Though the name Alcoholics Anonymous was yet to be created, these three men became the first AA group. A Founders Day gathering is held each year in Akron, and Dr. Bob’s house--where he and Bill met with many recovering alcoholics--has been preserved and is open to visitors.
LeBron James went straight from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was the first pick in the NBA lottery. When he left the Cleveland Cavs for the Miami Heat, everyone in town—heck, everyone in the state--went into mourning. He may not be their king any longer, but now that he has titles without them they will be forever crushed until they can hoist a trophy of their own.
The Black Keys are the biggest local-music success from Akron since, well, Devo left town decades ago. Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney formed The Black Keys in Akron in 2001 and began in a basement like most start up bands. They evolved as one of the countries finer garage bands of the last 10 years. Their album El Camino and its hit single "Lonely Boy" won three Grammy Awards. The Black Keys’ fanbase is incredibly dedicated. The Black Keys Fan Lounge created an awesome Google map of Akron marking Black Keys’ points of interest such as Pat and Dan’s high school, where they shot some of their music videos and their favorite places to grab grub. Check it out:
View Akron, Ohio - The Black Keys Points Of Interest in a larger map
With nearly 200,000 residents, Akron really is much more than a big suburb of Cleveland, but under oath, most Akronites would have to admit they’re at least a little intimidated by that big hulking city about 30 miles north. And they’d probably also say that it’s super frustrating when they tell someone they’re from Akron and all they get is a blank stare. While it’s difficult to live in Cleveland’s shadow, Akron definitely has its own identity as Rubber Capital of the World with companies like Goodyear, Firestone, and Goodrich located here. Long before that, Akron as known as the highest point on the Erie Canal, which ran from Lake Erie to the Ohio River in Cincinnati. Akron is its own small thriving city that’s added college town and tech mecca to its resume.
Akron became one of the first mafia cities in the Midwest during the early 1900s. The Black Hand, led by Don Rosario Borgio, came to Akron during that time and headquartered The Black Hand on the north side. A hundred years later, the gangland culture is still glamorized by some, especially the youth.
It’s likely a case of “the grass is always greener…” or maybe it’s the crippling winters or the constant disappointment from the local sports franchises, but Akronites tend to be rough on their city. They might grumble about the dull skyline or the crime rate, but if they hear a non-native belittle their city, look out.
