There are many books in our collection that are not restricted by copyright laws.  Several of these small books provide an interesting view on the history of our area.  When we are able to do so, we scan the books and make them available online.  These books are PDF files and viewing them requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.  If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you may download it at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. 

Roy G. Firestone, Akron Architect: This was no rubber Firestone. Roy Firestone (1897-1970) dropped out of school after the eighth grade and never received formal training as an architect. He served as an apprentice with the Krumroy Construction Co., leaving in 1935. Despite his educational shortcomings, no one designed more of Akron’s great old homes than Roy Firestone. He is responsible for many of the gracious homes in West Akron, including those in the Merriman Road/Portage Path area and Fairlawn Heights, as well as Silver Lake. He won accreditation as an architect based on the recommendations of his fellow professionals and was a prominent Akron architect for 45 years. These two scrapbooks contain 230 photographs of homes designed by Roy G. Firestone collected by his daughter. Volume 1  and  Volume 2. Properties featured in the scrapbooks may be located using the alphabetical index of owners’ names or the street index. (Note: Page numbers provided in the indexes do not appear on the actual scrapbook pages but in a box on the Adobe Reader toolbar.)

A History of Tallmadge Coal: A Tale of Woodchucks, Welshmen, and a Canal
This 38 page book authored by Judy Davis outlines the coal industry in the early days of Tallmadge, Ohio.  It includes a map of Tallmadge indicating the possible locations of Tallmadge coal mines.

Life of Mrs. Ellen Stewart
The subtitle of this autobiography is Together with biographical sketches of other individuals also a discussion with two clergymen and arguments in favor of woman’s rights; together with letters on different subjects.  This 243 page book contains in the author’s words “a brief outline of the experience, labor and trials of one in humble life” and was donated by Mrs. Stewart’s descendants.  For more information on Ellen Stewart please see the article on page 3 of the Spring 2011 Issue of Past Pursuits. 

Red Guidon
This 237 page book was created by the Red Guidon Association and is a “complete illustrated history of B Battery 134th Field Artillery from 1915 to 1919.” The authors and editors liken it to a school yearbook with the U.S. Army during World War I as the school. There were only 600 copies of the book printed and this one is marked number 91.  It is from the Summit County Historical Society’s Collections.

Articulation
This 32 page guide identifies and describes works currently on exhibit throughout the Main Library, including artist and composition or medium. In selected instances, more complete biographical information on the artist and detailed descriptions of the work are given.

Division Reports – Ohio Canal
The 221 page volume from 1880, contains descriptions of the Ohio Canal from the people who used it. Repair and maintenance of the various locks are described and tables listing the commodities moving through the canal are included.

A Century of Adjustment: A History of the Akron Jewish Community, 1865-1975
This dissertation was written by Helga Kaplan, Ph.D. in 1978.  In it she describes the decisions made by Jewish immigrants as they adjusted to life in Akron, Ohio.  (532 pages)

Akron Negro Directory
Published in March of 1940, this 128 page book includes statistical, organizational and business information on the African-American community in Akron as well as local advertisements.

Charles Cook Bronson Books
Charles Cook Bronson (1804-1886) authored ten volumes on the history of Tallmadge and the Western Reserve. The original volumes, along with accompanying material such as oral presentations by Bronson and obituaries, were transcribed by Tobi Battista of the Tallmadge Historical Society  between July of 1995 and January of 1997.

A Selection of Photographs illustrating the work of Good & Wagner
This 33 page book was published in Akron in 1923 by Albert H. Good and Edwin D. Wagner, of Good & Wagner, Architects.  Among the buildings designed by this firm were the Portage Country Club, the YMCA, and the home of John S. Knight. 

Views of Akron, Ohio and Environs
Published by the First Universalist Church in 1904 in Akron, Ohio, this 33 page booklet contains iconic images of Akron at the turn of the century. 

The Report of The Akron Commission on Civil Disorders
In 1968, Akron, Ohio was the site of six days of racial riots. After order was restored, Mayor Ballard convened a commission to investigate the underlying conditions leading to the riots. This commission was chaired by Dr. Edwin Lively from the University of Akron and it issued this 50 page report.

The Contribution of Blacks in Akron 1825-1975 
This Doctorial Dissertation was produced by Dr. Shirla Robinson McClain and presented at the University of Akron in June of 1975.  It is posted here with the permission of the McClain family.  (499 pages)

A Sketch of the Settlement and Progress of the Township of Tallmadge (No. 2, Range 10.) Summit Co., Ohio (27 pages)
Written by Charles Whittlesey and published in 1842, this book provides a detailed description of Tallmadge and its early development.

A History of the Establishment of the Municipal University of Akron
Issued in 1914, by the Municipal University of Akron, this booklet was compiled by P. R. Kolbe.  In addition to a brief history of the founding of the University, it also contains essays and editorials about city universities in general.  (36 pages)

A Spin on the Past: The Origin Story of the Modern American Toy Industry, as it Occurred in Akron, Ohio, Including the Story of S.C. Dyke and the First Mass-Produced Toy–clay marbles
Written by Michael Cohill and posted with permission.  (53 pages)

Akron, The City of Opportunity
Published by the Akron Chamber of Commerce in 1914, this booklet highlights the benefits of living and working in Akron, Ohio (22 pages).

The Jewish Criterion, 1919
This single issue contains a history of the Akron Jewish Community reprinted from The Jewish Criterion, a weekly newspaper published in Pittsburgh, PA by D. Alter.  Many advertisements for local businesses as well as other national news relating to the Jewish community are inside.  (44 pages)

West Hill Sketchbook.
Published by the West Hill Land Co. this book contains images of many of the homes found in the West Hill area (34 pages)

If you have suggestions for copyright free publications that you would like to see added to this page, please contact us at speccollections@akronlibrary.org.