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Downtown Akron
<*dv_0*>The Ohio & Erie Canal created Akron. Founded in 1825 out of the former settlement of Middlebury, Akron prospered due to the staircase of locks, (now Cascade Locks Park), and the waterpower created by the Ohio & Erie Canal. The later addition of the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal provided a more direct connection to the Ohio River. The late 19th century left a legacy of milling, most notably Ferdinand Schumachers mills (now Quaker Square) and the creation of rolled oats. In the 20th century rubber was king, creating great fortunes and international manufacturing empires, as evidenced by the Goodyear Corporation and the founding familys mansion, Stan Hywet Hall. In 1923 Akron was the fastest growing city in the country, so great was the lure of jobs in the rubber industry. Today, Akron is rediscovering its origins as downtown development looks to Akrons lost waterfront: the Ohio & Erie Canal.
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