By Jason SegedyApril 15, 2015Follow me on Twitter @thestile1972A 1.3 mile walk along Jefferson Avenue on Akron’s west side is a fascinating journey through the city’s historyYou may have heard about the growing #Akron2Akron movement, which organizes monthly walking tours of Akron neighborhoods, led by local residents. The walks have attracted people of all ages and all backgrounds, and they have been a great way to connect with other people, to get to know your own neighborhood better, and to get to know another neighborhood that you may not be as familiar with.#Akron2Akron is one of several nascent examples of tactical urbanism in Akron, such as Jane’s Walk and the Better Block, which are predicated on the notion that everyday people can do small but powerful things, working together to make their communities better.These efforts are a wonderful complement to public-sector-led initiatives to make Akron a more friendly place in which to walk and bike, by implementing permanent road diets, organizing bike and brainstorms, and by holding open streets events that temporarily close streets to traffic, allowing residents to freely bike and walk them.The linkage of grassroots, citizen-led, placemaking and non-profit/public-sector facilitated community development has been an especially powerful combination here in Akron. Citizens and entrepreneurs are empowering themselves and discovering that, when it comes to effecting change at the neighborhood level, “they”, can become “I”, and eventually becomes “we”.Public officials and non-profits, meanwhile, are discovering that their role does not always have to be that of bureaucrat, piggy-bank, or “big daddy” - and that sometimes their most effective role is to be a catalyst, an enabler, and a co-creator; while other times, it might be simply getting out of the way.A generational sea-change is currently underway in terms of how we view people and places, and in terms of how we define words such as community, freedom, and liberty. All of this has been an extremely healthy reaction to an urban planning and community development culture that is often moribund, unresponsive, out-of-touch, hidebound, and incapable of envisioning big changes that don’t necessarily require a lot of bureaucratic oversight or a lot of borrowed money.When it comes to transforming our cities, fetishizing Daniel Burnham’s famous “Make no little plans…” quote has done us much harm. Sometimes “little plans” are exactly what we need, because they often involve fundamentals, are easier to pull-off, and more readily establish trust, inspire hope, and build relationships.
I have been honored to have been a small part of the cultural transformation that is currently taking place in Akron, regarding how we view people and place - sometimes contributing as an everyday citizen, and sometimes contributing as an urban planner and public official.Everyone in this city has a stake in how our community functions; everyone has a responsibility for it; and everyone has a different, but important role to play.Grassroots efforts like #Akron2Akron are not a substitute for having a master plan, an overarching vision, or for dreaming and doing big things - but they are an important and heretofore overlooked part of the urban revitalization equation. There is a growing recognition that when people work together to accomplish small things that they can actually see and touch; they learn to savor that first taste of success, which leads to building the kind of trust and inspiring the type of hope that it takes to transform an entire city.
So, in the spirit of #Akron2Akron, and with Jane’s Walk Akron rapidly approaching, I’d like to recommend a neighborhood walk that you may be interested in taking - by yourself, with a friend, or with a group.Jefferson Avenue: A Walk Through TimeJefferson Avenue, on Akron’s west side, is without a doubt one of the city’s most beautiful and interesting streets.If you are not initially arriving on foot, you may wish to park in the Highland Square retail area, as on-street parking along this portion of Jefferson is hard to come by. Beginning your walk at Highland Square also provides a perfect opportunity for a meal or a drink upon your return.I recommend walking from east to west, so as to witness the city’s evolution chronologically, but, if you would prefer to begin in the west, it is very easy to park at Forest Lodge (a.k.a. Elm Hill Park) and begin there.As you walk down this primarily residential street, not only will you see a wide variety of beautiful homes, but you will also feel as though you are walking through time; the city’s history unfolds before your eyes, as you move from east to west.Jefferson Avenue runs for 1.33 miles, between Corson Avenue in Highland Square, and South Hawkins Avenue in Wallhaven. The eastern end of the street was developed in the early 1900s, just prior to World War I, while the western end was developed in the immediate aftermath of World War II.The eastern third of the street was built during Akron’s boom years, when the growth of the rubber and tire industry helped to triple the city’s population in just one decade (the 1910s).Much of the western two-thirds of the street was built as part of the prestigious Sunset View and Elm Hill allotments, which became one of the most affluent residential areas in the city.Highland Square Portion (Annexed 1900; built primarily in 1910s)The Highland Square portion of Jefferson Avenue extends for three blocks, between Corson Avenue and West Exchange Street. This part of the street was developed during a time when Akron was the fastest growing major city in the United States. Between 1910 and 1920, the city’s population tripled, growing from 69,000 to 208,000 in just that one decade.Prior to 1900, this portion of the street was outside of the city limits in (the now defunct) Portage Township. During the Victorian era, the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods were clustered in the Fir Hill area (near the present day site of the Hower House in University Park). But, as heavy manufacturing and the burgeoning rubber and tire industry expanded throughout Akron in the late 1800s, the wealthy began migrating further and further west. Why west? The reason was simple: to escape the increasingly noxious pollution being generated by the numerous factories located throughout East Akron and South Akron. West Akron was strategically located, and primed for residential development. It sat atop a large hill - meaning that it was both upwind (the wind blows toward the east here) and uphill from all of the pollution. Even better, once you got to the top of the hill, the neighborhood was situated upon a large wooded plateau which gently sloped toward the west and contained good soils, meaning that it would be easy to develop.And that’s exactly what happened. In the era immediately prior to World War I, the neighborhood’s population exploded, as more and more of Akron’s wealthy residents chose to build spacious, high-quality homes on Akron’s west side. Jefferson Avenue was perfectly situated to take advantage of this growth, being as though it was only
located a few blocks away from the West Market streetcar line, which terminated
along South Rose Boulevard between W. Market St and W. Exchange St. Downtown Akron was less than two miles away, and increasingly,
nearby retail areas were developing to serve the residents of the Highland
Square neighborhood, further adding to the convenience.
Because this portion of the street was being developed slightly before automobile usage was widespread, it remains a classic mixed use, walkable urban neighborhood. As you will see in the photos below, this portion of the street contains a mixture of single family homes, multi-story apartments, and small-scale neighborhood retail.Also of note - this portion of Jefferson Avenue retains its original brick street, which serve to add to its historic character, as well as to discourage speeding - if you don’t believe me, I challenge you to attempt to drive more than 10 miles per hour down this portion of the street.960 Jefferson Avenue, between Corson Avenue and Everett Avenue, built 1913988 Jefferson Avenue, between Everett Avenue and Metlin Avenue, built 19181029 Jefferson Avenue, between Metlin Avenue and West Exchange Street, built 19131026 through 1036 Jefferson Ave, corner of Jefferson Avenue and West Exchange Street, built 1915-1920
Storer Heights Portion (Annexed 1915; built primarily in 1910s)
The Storer Heights portion of Jefferson Avenue extends for one long block, between West Exchange Street and Storer Avenue.This portion of the street was annexed from Portage Township in 1915, and, like the Highland Square portion of the street, was developed almost exclusively during Akron’s boom decade of the 1910s.As you walk down this portion of the street you will notice several interesting things. There is an even wider variety of housing types and architectural styles - a few apartment buildings, as well as many single family homes built in the Colonial and the Craftsman styles. The houses along this portion of Jefferson are generally grander and more opulent than the houses in the Highland Square portion, reflecting the continued westward migration of the affluent. This portion of the street is also built along a steep hill that slopes upward from west to east. Although the hill makes biking or walking up the street a bit of a challenge, it adds to the street’s character, serving as the namesake for the “Heights” portion of Storer Heights. You will also notice that front porches are less common on this portion of the street than they are along the Highland Square portion, reflecting the change in architectural styles that followed World War I.1076 Jefferson Avenue, between West Exchange Street and Storer Avenue, built 19151131 Jefferson Avenue, between West Exchange Street and Storer Avenue, built 19171158 Jefferson Avenue, between West Exchange Street and Storer Avenue, built 1919
Sunset View Portion (Annexed 1920; built primarily in 1920s)
The Sunset View portion of Jefferson Avenue extends for three blocks, between Storer Avenue and Mull Avenue.This portion of the street was annexed from Portage Township in 1920, and was developed almost exclusively during the 1920s.At the time that it was developed, the Sunset View allotment was the second wealthiest neighborhood in the City of Akron, surpassed only by the neighborhoods along Merriman Road. The Sunset View portion of the street contains some of Akron’s finest examples of Colonial and Tudor revival architecture. Take a look at Zillow as you walk along, and you will be amazed that these beautiful, spacious houses located along a tree-lined street with such curb appeal, typically sell in only the $200,000 to $400,000 range.You will also notice that this area, having been built during the 1920s, reflects a more automobile-oriented design. The houses are farther apart, the lots are larger, front porches have disappeared, and, unlike some of the portions of Jefferson further east, driveways and garages were clearly built as part of the original home.If you have time for a short side-trip, I would encourage you to explore the nearby portions of South Rose Boulevard, Sunset View Drive, and Dorchester Road, for a look at some of Akron’s most beautiful and iconic residential neighborhoods.1190 Jefferson Avenue, between Storer Avenue and South Rose Boulevard, built 19201250 Jefferson Avenue, between South Rose Blvd and Dorchester Road, built 19281263 Jefferson Avenue, between Dorchester Road and Mull Avenue, built 1930
Elm Hill Portion (Annexed 1920; built primarily in 1930s and 1940s)
The Elm Hill portion of Jefferson Avenue extends for six blocks, between Mull Avenue and South Hawkins Avenue.This portion of the street was annexed from Portage Township in 1920, and was developed over a longer period of time than the other portions of Jefferson. The oldest houses in the Elm Hill allotment were built in the late 1920s, while the newest houses were built in the early 1950s. But the vast majority of the homes were built in the 1930s and 1940s.The wider variety in the age of these homes is primarily due to the Great Depression and World War II. The migration of the wealthy to Akron’s west side was continuing apace throughout the late 1920s, and the Elm Hill allotment was well-positioned to absorb much of this growth.The Wall Street Crash of 1929, however, which launched the Great Depression severely hampered the real estate industry. As a result, far fewer homes were built in Akron in the 1930s than in the 1920s. The Elm Hill allotment, being a wealthier area, still attracted some new home construction, but not nearly as much as demand would have otherwise warranted, had the economy been better. Just as the economy began improving in the early 1940s, World War II began, further dampening demand for new housing, due to the ongoing war effort. As such, much of the housing built along the Elm Hill portion of Jefferson Avenue, dates from the late 1940s, as the neighborhood experienced a building boom beginning in 1945, immediately after the end of World War II.As you walk along this portion of Jefferson Avenue, you will notice that the neighborhood begins to adopt a proto-suburban feel. The lots are actually a bit smaller than those located on the Sunset View portion of Jefferson (because the houses are generally smaller and less opulent), but what makes this area feel more “suburban” than the other portions of Jefferson is the complete absence of any nearby retail development or multi-family housing. While the lack of variety in land use detracts a bit from the neighborhood’s functionality, it is nevertheless a beautiful residential area. It contains an impressive variety of housing styles, ranging from Tudor, to Colonial, to Cape Cod. The homes are attractive and well-built. Winding, tree-lined streets predominate, and the proximity to nearby parks (Schneider Park and Forest Lodge) as well as St. Sebastian’s parish and elementary school continue to make houses in this neighborhood quite attractive.By the early 1950s, the last of the available residential lots in the neighborhood (now known as Wallhaven) had been built upon. Jefferson Avenue itself was not built past South Hawkins Ave, and the streets to the west of Hawkins, such as Artman and Marlow avenues (an area that was annexed from Portage Township in 1928) only extend for a block or two to the west. The main impediment to continued single-family home construction further toward the west was soil quality. Immediately west of South Hawkins Avenue is a large area of wetlands and peat-based soils which extends into neighboring Copley Township. As such, much of this land was not deemed suitable for single-family residential development. This is the reason why large, institutional land uses predominate to the west of South Hawkins Avenue, such as J. Edward Good Park Golf Course, the former Beth El Synagogue, the former Perkins Middle School, and First Energy’s West Akron campus. 1345 Jefferson Avenue, between Mull Avenue and Clemmer Avenue, built 19471415 Jefferson Avenue, between Clemmer Avenue and Elmdale Avenue, built 19321509 Jefferson Avenue, between Elmdale Avenue and Greenwood Avenue, built 19391521 Jefferson Avenue, between Greenwood Avenue and Westover Drive, built 19551557 Jefferson Avenue, between Westover Drive and Avondale Drive, built 19461593 Jefferson Avenue, between Avondale Drive and South Hawkins Avenue, built 1946I hope that you have enjoyed this short piece on one of Akron’s most beautiful and interesting streets. Now that you’ve read it, grab a friend, and get out there and walk! I live nearby, and I’d be happy to join you.
