Akron, Ohio 1957

This is footage my uncle, Richard Mitten, shot of his hometown, Akron, Ohio in 1957. It was rare that an amateur like my Uncle Dick was using a 16mm camera at that time. Even rarer that it is in color. There are shots of Downtown Akron including Main Street during the Summer and Christmas Time as well as the Portage Lakes and West Exchange.
There is even better footage at • 1957 Soap Box Derby 20...
Many thanks to everyone who has watched the video and shared their memories. A great walk down memory lane to the "good old days!"
The music is a Nat King Cole track called "Imagination" from that time period.

[@johnniestephenson4641]

Wow. The memories. This has really taken me back after seeing the video. Left Akron in 1976 upon joining the military and making a twenty-two career of it. After my military retirement, I made Georgia my home of residence. I really miss my hometown of Akron, believe it or not. I really do. Especially my family.

[@1950shu]

Born in 1940 and left Akron in 1958. This is, indeed, how I remember my home town. Downtown at Christmas, the snows (that turned grey from the coal smoke) West Exchange St. Portage Lakes Now when I return it is difficult to still imagine these scenes. You have made them real again. Thank you

[@AhmedRicky2009]

In 1957 I was 9 yrs. old and my Mother would take my brother, sister and me to downtown Akron at Christmas. Polskys and O'Neils were like wonderland to us. Akron really use to know how to do it right. A great town to grow-up in. Thanks for posting Mitten!

[@katherinedennewitz7617]

my mother would do the same enjoyed looking at the Christmas decorations the windows of Polsky and O'Neill. went downtown last year when I was home, nothing the same. akron university is taking over almost all of it. no more general tire, burt's manufacturing. some of Goodyear(the clock still remains) seen last year or 2016 firestone was going.so many memories

[@davidcanter2376]

Those were the best days of my life and I didn't know it We lived across the street from Lincoln School and walk to town window shopping was so much fun

[@deborahasher176]

Me too. Downtown looking at the windows during Christmas and having a sandwich at the lunch counter at Woolworths. Plus we always took the city bus and that was a treat too. Oh my word, those were the days.

[@dennislucas8745]

I was born in 1954 , I remember the early 60s . My family would go look at window all decorated after Thanksgiving dinner .

[@JackSmith-ig7lg]

I was probably four years old and it was Christmas time and I and my mom went to polskys and I was so excited the next thing I know I was lost the most devastating event in my life LOL

[@urbanpreppie05]

Even though my hometown is not the same, it was nice seeing a LOT of the things in the video- oneils, polsky, mayflower, the firestone complex- and realizing it's still standing.

[@mitten1]

Yes, I still remember those Christmas windows!

[@buzzdaly331]

I grew up in akron..family .left in '55 to move to n.j......thanks for great memories....o'neils, polsky's & Swenson's drive-in were faves....lived on aqueduct st.....played touch fb on silver street.....grand parents lived on bittman st...ran a small grocery store....great place to be a kid....

[@PacificSalmonFoundation]

What a great gift this is for all Akronites, especially those of us who live far from home, and for those of us born after Akron's heyday. Thank you for this! I was born in 1973 and have heard so many stories from my Mom (born in 1950) about the Akron of her youth, especially the bustling downtown at Christmas. Now I can see what for years she and other relatives spoke of. Truly, the halcyon days. Many thanks, Mike Meneer, Vancouver, British Columbia

[@knitterscheidt]

Thank you for sharing, amazing this film survived. I just moved to Akron and enjoyed seeing the city in its glory days, in fact, my house was built in '56. I believe Akron will be as important to our nation's future as it was to our past.

[@Frizz9000]

Phenomenal video footage, especially for being that old!

[@JulikaF555]

That was amazing. I was 10 then, recognized so many things. The shot of Harvey Firestone's statue... I used to go climb up in his lap! Going downtown to Polsky's and Oneil's to see the Christmas window displays was an annual treat. haven't been back since 1972... thank you so very much!

[@shirleyjbranham6829]

I came to Akron winter 1957 from rural KY. I loved it and fit right in, great timing for a young life.

[@mickymcballsmasher6413]

I was born in 93 so I don't know how beautiful Akron used to be. I've been raised here in our crumbling "hood" infested city my whole life. I'm so happy that this was uploaded. It's making me wish our city was still like that.

[@christinamikolajek6797]

Micky McBallsmasher Believe me it was beautiful ❤️ I'm sorry that you didn't know it back then. My Dad worked at Firestone and we struggled but life was good back then.

[@whatsinthebox5504]

My dad worked for BF Goodrich. I was born in 77. I've lived all over the world but Akron was always special to me. Always will be.

[@ianandrews6890]

You wouldn't have enjoyed the air pollution from many of the old factories . It's a shame there are still some "hoods" , but most of today's city offers a better quality of life than before .

[@DW-nb2zc]

@@ianandrews6890 The middle class has been decimated in this country.A little air pollution was a small price to pay for a good paying job you could raise a family on

[@calli9261]

AMEN

[@marlakay226]

This is AMAZING footage, no doubt tons of your time went into it! Please know many, many folks really appreciate it, of which I am one. Always an Akronite at heart!!

[@jackbehling5694]

Akron! I could almost smell the burning rubber. I was still in high school when I left Akron. A few weeks later I was scuba diving in the keys with my attractive new classmates. It breaks my heart that I left Akron. NOT!!!!

[@gypsylady123]

1951. Don't remember a lot about Akron, but I definitely remember Christmas downtown ! This was great. Can't believe how clear it is. And the color!!! I couldn't help but wonder if these were the Mitten's my dad was the landscaper for. He was also the landscaper for Akron U.

[@sandibenedum4413]

Oh my, I am speechless. I can't begin to thank you enough for bringing back some LONG forgotten memories. Thanks.

[@OrganistAnthony]

This is so cool! The quality and color is amazing. Still very recognizable but it would be so cool to experience downtown Akron with businesses and people!

[@elishajones5411]

I ran into this video today and was astonished at how different things looked. I could still see some of what is here today in the footage but it was really just a different time. I was born in '02 so I never got to experience that. Our city is definitely deteriorating and getting worse with time but still it's home and I really enjoyed seeing it differently because sometimes the picture I see outside is a starnge one to me. One that can't be fixed. I want to be here still but it's just sad what it's come to.....anyways this really brought joy to me heart and a smile to my face....

[@mitten1]

make sure to watch this one as well to see what downtown akron looked like kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6HGh3WEmLJjn6c

[@bipbop322]

Cool! I think that was my dad in the white car with the red top at the end of the video! We lived in that building on the corner of Jefferson and W. Exchange Streets when I was a baby. It caught on fire a couple times while we lived there. Someone left the hot plate on in the dry cleaners below our apartment one time and one time the ashes near the incinerator caught fire. My dad had a white Lincoln with a red top and red interior and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if that was him driving that car - unless you know who that was. I lived in East Akron and West Akron while I was growing up. 1819 Hillside Terrace and 183 North Portage Path-and when I was older I lived at 129 S. Portage Path. That poor old neighborhood went down hill so much that we had to finally sell 129 and moved to Stow. The girl we sold 129 to still lives there. I have an old postcard I found in an antique shop in Stow with a picture of that house on it. The postmark is from 1914! The Day Drug Store is in the picture on the postcard - at the corner of Dodge and S. Portage Path. It's been a dry cleaning store for years, and we used to get broasted chicken dinners there. Boy does that video bring back a LOT of memories! Thank You So Much for posting it! Hope to hear from you someday. I'll check back now and then....BTW have you seen the Lebron James commercial?

[@thedude3016]

elite cleaners next to Isaly's

[@christopherherrera5495]

Lebrun James comerciales are always great my friend

[@tinadutton2974]

Thank you so much for sharing!!!! Absolutely beautiful!!!!! I miss my home town ......there's no place like home!!!! I will be an Akronite forever!

[@xm7626]

Just stumbled on this again today, Mitten. So dreamy!

[@redhead12541]

Thank you so very much for sharing this. Born in 1941, left in 1970. This is such a wonderful walk down memory lane as this is how I remember my Akron. When I come back now I don't recognize half of it. This is a real keepsake!

[@cathyhawks326]

Thank you for that wonderful memory. Watching this brought a childhood comfort back to me. An innocence. I love it!

[@christinamikolajek6797]

Cathy Hawks l know me too. I lived at Evelyn Court and went to Grace Elementary School.

[@neohistoryfan1014]

This is how my grandmother remembered Akron during her high school and college years from September of 1950-1958.

[@willymacmusic]

Thanks so much for the flashback! This was the year I was born and recollect many of the scenes projected here of my hometown. Quite a treasure, to be sure!

[@ShariLeeBeynon]

I loved watching this. Thank you so much for sharing. I soaked up every minute of it. I was 15 then. What a great time we had, and I loved going down town at Christmas.

[@josephwilson6848]

Very nice... I was born in Akron in 1957. Thanks for sharing this.

[@PAULAMOONEY]

Amazing! I actually gasped when I saw the "Sand Run Parkway" footage. So beautiful.

[@DrCarolEngler]

Thank you! Brought back such great memories of my hometown!

[@schmittenhammer]

Thanks for posting this, great childhood memories!!!

[@simplykobila4470]

this was interesting to watch . thanks for the retrospect.

[@PsyChoAnaLize]

Thank you❤. Born and raised AKRON❤.

[@thegreatbungholio21]

I love the footage of Portage Lakes and Main Street. It really shows how nice an area Akron was back in the 50's. A longshot of what it is today.

[@patraic5241]

I've got to give it to Akron with the recent renovations on Main St. they really are trying to turn that back around.

[@fictionfisher7869]

Akron is making a comback. With the high cost of housing accross the country people are starting to move back. There are a bunch of well paying jobs in the area now as well.

[@dawnvalentine74]

​@@fictionfisher7869Yep. And a lot of the city is in great shape.

[@valleylaker]

What wonderful memories of the area where I was raised from times gone by. I especially enjoyed seeing O'Neil's and Polsky's at Christmas. You just made my day. Thanks!

[@christinamikolajek6797]

Jerry Jones My Mother loved Polskys. Christmas in Akron was such a Special Time. My Dad worked at Firestone and they always had gifts and parties for us That was in the 50s when everything was Great❤️

[@radiomantim]

Thanks so much for sharing this, yes, 16mm amateur footage tells me he was quite a film enthusiast, this would have been very expensive equipment to own at the time.

[@mikeconner2014]

Nice video...Especially for those of us who didn't get to enjoy this era.

[@motherlogic]

I have lived here now for over 30 years and I must tell you this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@chanajohnson5931]

Wow. I love looking at old pictures and video of Akron! Would love too see more!

[@MiguelRodriguez-nt5eq]

Clevelander Born and Raised, this is a Beautiful time for Akron..

[@hzlrobin3656]

I Grew up in Akron in the 60"s. Attended the public schools, enjoyed shopping downtown, the movie theaters , the palace, the strand, it was a great place to raise a family. Even though many things have changed, I have a lot of wonderful childhood memories. Akron will always be home to me.

[@Nowayaroundit]

Wonderful footage considering the era! My grandparents lived in W. Exchange, thank you for sharing!

[@rodneyallen5478]

I was born and raised in Canton, Ohio...so Akron is my hometown also...when you refer to one city you are referring to the other. When people ask me where I was raised, I always tell them Akron/Canton, Ohio, and I am very proud to have come from this area of Ohio. I graduated from H.S. and went on to College. Following College I moved to Atlanta, spent some time in L.A., then moved to Columbus, Ohio. Columbus is my current home, and I absolutely love it here. However, it is videos such as this one that brings back fond memories of my home town(s). Although I was not yet born at this particular time (I was born in 1961) these images looked exactly the same as I remembered them when I was growing up in in that area. Akron/Canton is still a nice place to live. Thanks for sharing this video with all of us....I really appreciate your doing so!

[@davidcanter2376]

I loved everything about Akron when I was a child I had so many good friends to play with We went all over Akron not knowing about being afraid to go out. There was just so many places to go and things to do .My heart still yearns for those days gone forever .i'm referring to the time this was filmed

[@susanralston6579]

ahh, the simplest of times. Sometimes seeing clips like this make me homesick. Brings back sweet childhood memories of visiting O'Neil's and Polsky's at Christmas time. Thanks so much for making me smile today:)

[@terrellgreat]

Very nice, my old stomping ground too, was only a year old back in 1957. Thanks so much for posting!

[@jayreese1990]

Thanks so much- what a treat!

[@tehSpeaksy]

Beautiful!!!

[@jeffcurtis8381]

Thanks for the great memories!

[@xm7626]

Perfectly scored with Imagination track!

[@fredstuckmann]

That's a wonderful video. I did see a 59 Chevy at 2:20 and a 59 Olds a bit later in the video. So maybe a later date for the Winter footage. Nevertheless, a great memory video. Thank you.

[@christinamikolajek6797]

Beautiful Video. Made me cry remembering times that has passed. I was 3 when this Video was made. Love the Nostalgia Thank You❤️

[@ChrisMezzolesta]

Great footage - I went to Akron U from 1982-86 so still remember some of the last vestiges of 'old' Akron before all the tire mfrs closed up. In fact I played the 'groundbreaking' (as it were) ceremony for when the Polsky Building was deeded over to the U - eerie playing jazz for a bunch of dignitaries in a huge, dark empty old building. I even remember shopping at O'Neils...Was your uncle involved in the ad firm Hesselbart & Mitten by chance? I'm a voiceover actor and they were a name I recall hearing just as I was starting to get into the business years ago...this is wonderful footage of a great town that deserves better than it has...

[@mitten1]

Hi Chris- thanks for your nice comments and memories. Actually it was my Dad who was the "mitten" in Hesselbart & Mitten!

[@damedankwa2269]

Wow! So many wonderful memories as I celebrate my 65th Birthday December 18 living in Los Angeles. There's no place like HOME.

[@8381Cptskyy]

I saw the Firestone Research Building where my Dad worked!! Thank you for sharing this!!

[@christinamikolajek6797]

Lisa Baker My Dad worked there too from the time he got out of the Navy till the Day his Lung Collapsed. Lot's of Memories.

[@brianchima2664]

Excellent video. I was born in '88 but my great grandfather started a business here in 1918 on South Main Street which still exists in Akron to this day (of which I get to carry on the legary). I've alwasy wondered what the Akron was like that he spent time in. Thanks for this.

[@gwendymiles3379]

Akron, dear Akron. Born in 1946, I went away to college in 1964. I'm so grateful that someone filmed this record of "the real Akron" in its hay day -- before the rubber companies shut down. Now I wish I had film of my home and neighborhood -- Myers Avenue, Jewett Street. And the Santa in the window in the East Akron department store who laughed and laughed and laughed. As a child, I just couldn't take my eyes off of him. Still love you, Akron!

[@BURLSBEE]

very good footage ! Very nice ! Thanks for sharing !

[@mypolopony]

This was so beautiful! So much looks the same! I really liked the Sand Run footage

[@nancymontabone3520]

Those winter scenes reminded me that that was how it looked pretty much every day during winter back then!!

[@freuderickfrankenstein8417]

Seems like it snowed a lot more then, doesn't it?

[@bmadd4454]

This the coolest thing ever our city has this video...

[@patraic5241]

I was born in 1961. That's the downtown Akron I remember from my earliest years. The department stores all put Christmas displays in their windows. Lights and moving Elves and trains. It was something my parents took us to see and I loved it every December. I'd beg to "go downtown". Downtown didn't start to really change until the tire factories started shutting down in the 1970s. Sand run looks the same today. Exchange has four lanes through most of it now.. If you swap out the cars for current models the side streets haven't changed a bit.

[@whatsinthebox5504]

I was born In 77 in Akron. Still remember when some of the streets were brick. Part of me will always be in this great town.

[@kipamore]

What a wonderful piece of film. Something about the way the HD, color, and music are put together. I went to school with a Jeff Mitten in Wadsworth in the 80s - any relation? As someone who still lives here (with no intention of ever moving) Akron is, in my estimation, not much changed from when this film was shot. Many of the businesses you see are still standing. The Pure Gas station is still there, though not under the Pure name. I take some college classes in the Polsky Building - just walk in and give yourself a tour. It's less changed that you might think. -Kip

[@mitten1]

Hi Kip- Thanks fort your kind words. No, I am not related to Jeff. And, it seems in many ways, Akron's look and feel is timeless.

[@tonyrubino1914]

This is so great..Thank You for sharing. Love it ! I was 3 years then

[@violetviva]

This is such a great video. 99% sure that the last street in the video is Everett Ave in Highland Square. I think I even found the house at the end on Google Street View. Looks exactly the same as 6 decades ago... just a different paint job! Thanks for sharing!

[@bnweeman4606]

WOW, that brought back memories.....amazing video. And the comments are also amazing, all the nostalgia over our home town! Mr. Mitten, I do believe your former neighbors are Whit and Sandy? This is Kisa. You really should share this on Facebook somehow. ;-)

[@bethbeckettcrow2081]

Thanks for this post! I have shared the link (with credit to you and your uncle) on my social media

[@leigh6594]

1957 was a yr before I was born ...But that's how I remember it in the early to mid 60's- 0h and I am black- I remember that time fondly and have beautiful memories-Akron was like many other cities in this country- but as a child protected from some of those realities... I remember firestone and the windows of Polsky's and Oneals(sp) decorated with animated scenes for Christmas. The snow and west Akron...looks like how I remember and is associated with warm wonderful feelings.

[@jackperry9369]

Remember the old polskys building ....the peanut shop is still there and running they've always been great to my son he grew up going in and out of the peanut shop with bags of candy in the summer they would give him free ice cream love that place still

[@LethaWolfStudios]

Like an idiot I was like "I'm going to get to see the Rolling Acres Mall being open!" but then I remembered it didn't open till 1975

[@sonjalaine234]

I'm betting, no one was fearful of going to the rolling achers mall.

[@crystalthompson3238]

that was amazing ... even though I drive by those places everyday I still recognized almost everything and even on our harshest winters it's still beautiful .... thank u for sharing

[@tomenglehart2241]

Really fun to see this. Yes, a simpler, friendlier time.

[@craigpitner2072]

Great the good times when things were not so hectic.

[@FlockofSmeagles]

I live at pin oak point on the Lake. Lol, all of those sail boats were a trip. It reminds me of Sundays when I was a teenager.

[@sli44c]

I grew up in Pin Oak as did my kids until high school. small world

[@kirin8928]

I went swimming with my family not long ago on portage lakes my Grammy lives in portage. :3 so wonderful!! My grandma lives in Akron. Idk exactly where. I was born in Akron city hospital and this makes me smile!

[@novajean5274]

Thanks for sharing....

[@caroldovel224]

This is the year I was married. Lived here until 1958. Nice to see the reminders of this old town. Thank you for sharing all these memories.

[@kingsavage3587]

I love my beautiful home town

[@johnjones9642]

I was born in 62 but I remember those black & white concrete things with yellow lights blinking at certain intersections.

[@abee1976]

This is so utterly fabulous!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this quality video!! Times looked so much simpler then :)

[@Videoshort]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JaxdenTaylorLayne]

Although I wasn't born till 1990, I have such a love for the 50s, my dad was born in 1959 so he always tells me a little bit about what went on back in the day, and my grandfather was born in 1935 so he can especially tell me what it was like back in the day. I love hearing stories of the things that went out, its completely different now. Like someone else had stated, its a complete shit hole. I wish I could've been born in the 1950s, its my favorite era.

[@toddheil42]

wow, ty 4 post. living in Louisiana now, but Akron will always be home. I miss the large owl atop Seiberling School, where I went to kindergarten, and played sports across the street at The Resevoir Park.

[@thomasbehrend7562]

Born and raised in Akron, Goodyear Heights. A great place to grow up, but would not want to live there now. My Dad moved us away in 1982.

[@jeancolson626]

As a"girl" born in Akron (@ People's Hospital) so obviously I am no longer a girl but this look back at the late 50's just filled my heart and soul with warm memories! I still have family living in the area so I get back to Akron about once a year -- and often stop by Swenson's on the way in and out of the visit!!!! Thanks so much for the memories. Jean Walker Colson Bradenton, FL

[@user-uf5zy8ig1v]

Had to see how the city was for my mother growing up. She was born there in 53'. I was born there in 72'. I remember the cold snowy winters that were never mild like they are today. I also remember O'Neils downtown and the smell of that little hot peanut shop a short walk down from it

[@arreilsabigdamnsecret8707]

Main street looks so different now.

[@christiansimon7148]

thanx a mill!

[@rocroc]

Wow, what memories. I grew up in Firestone Park and my dad worked in the research building overlooking Mr. Firestone's memorial statue shown in the video. My grandfather was plant manager and his office was underneath the clock tower also shown in the video. I learned to swim in the Firestone pool and learned to play pool at the pool hall both nearby to the clock as well. My wife grew up not far from West exchange and the cobbled road you saw led to her neighborhood. The Circus used to come to town and set up across the street from the memorial. We used to help set up the tents. My uncle owned a riding academy on the North side of Sand Run Park and I unknowingly met my wife there when I was young. Her father reminded me of it on the first day I met him. I lost my horse going through the water and up a steep hill in the woods right at the point shown in the video where the stream crosses over the road. That is all park now but then it belonged to him. I just went up Main Street the other day and that has all changed now. I stopped to see the statue and they have pretty much hidden it from view. The park is there and I still enjoy going through the area and the valley. My wife and I were gone from Akron many years but returned often for visits with family. One of her favorites things was the park and a trip through the valley on a snowy day (RIP). Thanks for the memories. 2/21/22

[@George50809]

Very well done. I am impressed.

[@glennaseeley6914]

I was 6 when this was shot; i remember so much of this; thank you for this fabulous gift from my past. can't wait till my kids see it.

[@foxgeirgesda]

When I was very little, I can remember going to look at the Christmas windows in O’Neils and Polsky’s- especially the manger scene on the top of the first floor roof...thank you for this lovely bit of nostalgia! My neighborhood looks the same today, LOL

[@Dkulow1]

I was 11 in 1957. Akron was our one stop for Christmas shopping at Oneils and Polskys. The theater, in those days was a Lowes and one of three I remember in downtown that showed movies. Almost all the cars we see are early 50s, in fact I couldn't pick out any 57s. None of the expressways had been built though the Eisenhower interstate system was beginning to push through Ohio. Routes 18, 8, and 261 cut through the main streets. And the whole town smelled of rubber and/or toasting oats.

[@FlintyCobblestone]

1957. A wonderful time. Yet not long before 11/22/1963 when everything seemed to begin to shift. And not for the better.

[@blondiequeen55]

Thank you for sharing that those look like the good old days. I’m still here but hopefully not for long

[@DoJoRa3]

The inverted image in the winter scenes has me wondering how the film was converted. Apparently the (projector's feed sprocket) holes along the film's edge must not be utilized in the process. ...Anyway, I'm really enjoying your Uncle's old films -- great nostalgia! I thought I'd also share that some of the winter footage was taken a bit later. The car at the curb near the Pure Station is a 1959 Oldsmobile. :)

[@MrJohnsteiner]

Great memories Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@Grannydoll]

So great to see Akron from my view as a child once again. THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!##

[@marciethomas5766]

Thanks it brought back great thoughts when I was your. In 57 we moved to Ellet

[@firebearva]

This reminded me of my grandparents who lived in Kenmore. We would take the bus and go shopping in downtown Akron at Polsky and at O'Neil's department stores. The elevator had an attendant who manually operated it. The Christmas window displays were beautiful. Only thing missing in this video is the smell of rubber cooking. You could smell the rubber factories fifteen miles away in Doylestown if the wind was right. Those days are all gone now.

[@donyoung7874]

I'm from Kenmore too. In addition to the rubber smell, I remember smelling OK potato chips being made as I walked to Heminger School in the morning.

[@TheAwesomeIncarnate]

The winters here are a deterrent to any and all talent that is born here.

[@jamescunningham4418]

Very nice look back at my hometown before I was even born...still,looks the same!!! thanks for sharing!!!

[@Impreza5drTurbo]

Thank you for this video. I am a 2nd generation Akronite. My family and myself love this city and its always in our hearts. :)

[@Bocasean]

Thanks for sharing this!