Built in 1871 in the Second Empire architecture in the United States and Canada. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. A historic map-sheet match is not published yet. The record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary.
“So Akron grew until August 10th, 1833, on which day the territorial extent of the city was doubled by the filing of a new plat by which all the lands lying north of the town as far as the Little Cuyahoga River, and between what is now th^ railroads on the east and Walnut and Oak Streets on the west, were allotted. As in the former plat, streets, parks, and alleys were provided for, and a little city was carefully laid out on paper.”
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1908). Machine-read text.
one of 137 National Register listings in Summit County · listed in 1973 · category: Building · built in 1871, Second Empire architecture in the United States and Canada · one of 1 National Historic Landmarks in Summit County.
Sources: the county history on the Internet Archive · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service
The chapter on Akron City in Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, published 1908 names Akron. This is what it says, exactly as the scans read.
It is inaccurate to say that the Ohio Canal made Akron. The city as it stands today is the resultant of many causes. Many and different influences, and various men and measures, have co-operated toward the end now attained. The start was made long before the Ohio Canal was built. - Within the present limits of the city, settlements at two different points had been made, which antedate the canal by nearly two decades. In 1807 the first settlement had been made in Middlebury. In 1811 Miner Spicer had started "Spicertown." In the same year Paul Williams settled upon the lands immediately west of the Spicer settlement and adjoining the land of General Simon Perkins on the east. When the canal was opened in 1827 Middlebury was an important village. It had attracted many settlers from the East, principally from Connecticut, and boasted of half a dozen mills and factories, a dozen stores, three inns and about five hundred inhabitants. It certainly deserved a place on the maps of the time.
Passage source: Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, published 1908.
Let us search that we may find, if we can, the economic reasons for the existence of Akron. The sentence that begins this chapter contains the idea that is ordinarily advanced as the sole reason for the Akron of today. The unthinking man repeats: "The canal made Akron." The wTiter on Akron history records: "Dr. Eliakim G. Crosby made Akron."
Passage source: Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, published 1908.
Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.
Read the whole chapter on Akron City - 22,626 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 1 fire within 5 miles of Hower Mansion between 2014 and 2014, burning about 0 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 April 2014 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Cuyahoga Valley National Park | CANYON TRAIL |
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. Museums hold 812 specimens collected within 10 miles of Hower Mansion between 1867 and 1975: 696 Animalia, 69 Plantae, 45 Fungi, 1 Unrecorded, 1 Bacteria. 12 distinct Species records are shown. Collected by (no collector listed), A. Black, A. W. Cusick and others. Each is a physical object with a catalogue number, and each entry opens the museum's record. This is what was collected and kept, not a survey of what lives here - nothing can be concluded from a species being absent.
| Image | Species | Year | Collected by | Where, as recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Botrychium virginianum subsp. virginianum | 1888 | Wright, A.A. | Tallmadge. |
 | Asclepias quadrifolia Jacq. | 1889 | Foltz, Kent O. | Sand Run Park; Akron |
 | Asclepias verticillata L. | 1889 | not recorded | Akron |
 | Accipiter striatus velox (A.Wilson, 1812) | 1867 | Collector(s): James Lee Peters | Akron |
 | Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P.Fuchs | 1880 | F. O. Payne | Akron |
 | Hydrastis canadensis L. | 1888 | E.L. Sturtevant II | |
 | Lonicera dioica L. | 1888 | K. O. Foltz | |
 | Penstemon hirsutus (L.) Willd. | 1888 | K. O. Foltz | |
 | Carex pensylvanica Lam. | 1889 | Foltz, K.O. | Akron |
 | Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott | 1889 | Foltz, Kent O. | Akron; Blue Pond |
 | Platanthera flava var. herbiola (R.Br.) Luer | 1889 | K. O. Foltz | Copley Swamp, near Akron |
 | Osmunda cinnamomea L. | 1890 | Kofoid, C.A. | Akron. |
All 812 specimens within 10 miles, at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 11 workings within 5 miles of Hower Mansion: 9 past producers, 2 producers. 2 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alden Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Arlington Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary | |
| Flesher Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary | |
| Herbruck Trucking Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary | |
| Herbruck Trucking Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| J.P. Pollo Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary | |
| J.P. Pollo Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Lerkis Pit & Plant | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Riverside Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary | |
| Robert E. Alden Sand & Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | Sedimentary |
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Akron, the town this property stands in, in 75 storm reports between 1996 and 2025: 38 hail, 31 thunderstorm wind, 5 flash flood, 1 lightning. The reports record 2 deaths. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2013 | Flash Flood | Akron | 1 killed, $3,800,000 | On Wednesday afternoon, July 10, the City of Akron experienced 3 to 4 inches of rain in an hour and a half. Flooding occurred causing the closings of roadways and expressways. Along with the roadway flooding, the City received reports of nearly 200 flooded basements. Widespread flooding was reported throughout the city and numerous homes, businesses, and vehicles were inundated by the rain. |
| May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | 1 killed, $20,000 | Weakened tree fell onto home in Akron and killed occupant. Thunderstorm was likely sub-severe per radar data. The nearby Akron-Fulton International Airport ASOS recorded a peak convective wind gust of 44 mph at 9:26 AM EST. No other reports of thunderstorm-related damage or severe convective weather were received as the cluster of storms moved through the Akron area. |
| June 2007 | Hail | Akron | $288,000,000 | A severe thunderstorm moved across Summit County and caused unprecedented damage. Hail as large as softballs fell across much of the county. Extensive damage was done to homes and vehicles in Akron and surrounding areas. Nearly 51,100 insurance claims were filed for damage in the county. The south side of Akron was the hardest hit. |
| July 2012 | Hail | Akron | $750,000 | Hail as large as golf balls was reported. Many vehicles and a few homes were damaged by the hail. |
| September 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $50,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed trees and limbs in the Akron and Stow areas resulting in scattered power outages. At the peak of the storm a few thousand customers were without power. |
| June 2009 | Hail | Akron | $50,000 | Half dollar size hail was observed. |
| May 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $50,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several trees in Akron. Three cars were damaged by the fallen trees. |
| August 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $50,000 | In Akron and in Springfield Township, trees and power lines were downed, some on vehicles and houses. |
| August 1996 | Lightning | Akron | $40,000 | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Hail | Akron | $15,000 | Thunderstorms produced nickel size hail for several minutes. The size of the hail increased significantly around 8:40pm EST, to half dollar size. |
| August 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $15,000 | Many trees were reported down throughout the county. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $15,000 | Numerous trees were reported down. |
| June 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $10,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a tree. The tree landed on a house and caused some damage. |
| April 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $10,000 | A trained weather spotter reported windows blown out of a building on Main Street and roof damage to a shed. |
| July 2006 | Hail | Akron | $10,000 | Hail ranging between quarter and nickel size was observed. |
| June 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $10,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several trees. |
| June 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $10,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed four large trees. |
| January 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $7,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees. |
| December 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed three trees. All three trees blocked streets. |
| July 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees. |
| September 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs. |
| September 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed one tree and a large limb. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Akron | $3,000 | Nickel size hail was observed. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $3,000 | Thunderstorm winds, estimated at up to 80 miles per hour, downed trees. |
| September 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $2,000 | Parts of an air conditioner blew off a rood near Grant Street in Akron. |
| June 2013 | Hail | Akron | $2,000 | Reports of quarter size hail were received from trained spotters and via twitter north of downtown Akron. |
| June 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $2,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs. |
| June 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $2,000 | A tree and large limb was reported down. |
| July 2003 | Hail | Akron | $2,000 | Nickel size hail was observed. |
| July 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $2,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree. |
| August 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $2,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree. |
| May 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $2,000 | no account filed |
| August 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $2,000 | no account filed |
| October 2018 | Hail | Akron | $1,000 | Large hail damaged a window. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a tree. |
| July 2013 | Hail | Akron | $1,000 | A trained weather spotter reported quarter size hail. |
| May 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs. |
| June 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | - | Large tree limbs downed in the Goodyear Heights neighborhood of Akron. |
| August 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | - | Several large tree limbs downed in Akron. |
| March 2020 | Hail | Akron | - | Social media report with picture of tennis ball-size hail about two miles north of downtown Akron. |
| September 2020 | Flash Flood | Akron | - | Route 8 northbound was closed from Perkins St to E. Tallmadge Avenue. Akron police reported traffic accidents and delays due to the high water conditions. Route 8 southbound closed at Seasons Rd in Hudson/Stow to flooding. Storm total rainfall from Hudson 4.75. |
| June 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | - | Thunderstorm winds were estimated at 65 mph. |
| May 2014 | Hail | Akron | - | Penny sized hail was observed. |
| May 2014 | Hail | Akron | - | Quarter sized hail was observed. |
| July 2014 | Hail | Akron | - | Penny sized hail was observed. |
| September 2012 | Hail | Akron | - | Nickel sized hail was observed. |
| September 2012 | Hail | Akron | - | Quarter sized hail was observed. |
| July 2012 | Hail | Akron | - | Nickel sized hail was observed. |
| July 2012 | Hail | Akron | - | Nickel sized hail was observed. |
| July 2012 | Hail | Akron | - | Quarter sized hail was reported. |
| August 2011 | Hail | Akron | - | Quarter sized hail was observed. |
| August 2011 | Hail | Akron | - | Quarter sized hail was observed. |
| August 2011 | Hail | Akron | - | Penny sized hail was observed. |
| May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | - | Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree branches. |
| May 2011 | Hail | Akron | - | Penny sized hail was observed. |
| April 2011 | Hail | Akron | - | Quarter size hail was reported. |
| June 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Akron | - | An automated observing station measured a 59mph wind gust. |
| June 2010 | Hail | Akron | - | Penny sized hail was observed. |
| September 2010 | Hail | Akron | - | Thunderstorms produced nickel size hail. |
2 papers published in this town, digitised by the Library of Congress and free to read: 0 issues, 0 pages. Every page is searchable, so a name or a street can be looked for directly in what the town printed about itself at the time.
| Newspaper | Published |
|---|---|
| Akron Daily Democrat | 1892 to 1902 |
| Summit County Labor News | 1923 to 1976 |
No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.
When this property was proposed for the National Register, someone wrote the case for it: what the building is, and why it matters. That document is a federal record in the public domain. It is quoted below word for word, never summarised. The text was read off the scanned case file by machine, so the occasional stray character is the recogniser's and the 1970s typewriter's.
bracketed eaves, is surmounted by a wrought iron railing and a weather- priceless art objects and antiques brought from Europe. Among the notable Excellent roofs of fishtail slate shingle and the elegantly detailed dormers.There PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) - 15th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (It Applicable and Known) - Education Other (Specify) * Architecture - Literature STATEMENT OF
In 1881, he formed Hower & Company, a milling firm which was an In 1871, the Hower Mansion was completed and 100 years later, Mr. Hower's grandchildren, Mr. John M. Crawford and John B. Hower, deeded the NOV 10 1972 1871 Commerce Conservation SIGNIFICANCE Aboriginal losophy Communications Transportation Engineering Prehistoric NATIONAL Military REGISTER Music Religion/Phi itarian Science wealth. Landscape Theater Political The finest of the few remaining large Victorian houses in Akron, Urban Planning most elaborate and pretentious Victorian houses in northeast Ohio.
Industry The Hower Mansion is significant as the best preserved and one of the Social/Human- Invention the Hower Mansion is a superb example of an architectural style from Pre-Columbian Agriculture an era when wealthy men built pretentious homes to display their Sculpture President of another farm machinery company, the J.F. Seiberling Co.. mansion to the University of Akron.Mrs.Crawford has a life estate and continues to occupy the house. Reaper Company in nearby Doylestown and he later served as Vice- RECEIVED AREAs OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) John H. Hower, the designer and first owner of the house, was a leading Akron industrialist. In 1861, he helped organize the Excelsior Mower Art important forerunner of The Quaker Oats Company.
The whole case file for this property - 1,381 words, 10 pages, reproduced complete.
Quoted from the National Register nomination for reference 73001536, 10 pages, held by the National Archives in Record Group 79. See the catalogue record.
Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.
| Photograph | Property | Distance | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
 | St. Paul's Sunday School and Parish House | under 500 feet | 1976 |
 | Jackson, Andrew, House | under 500 feet | 1975 |
 | First Congregational Church | 0.1 miles | 2004 |
| Werner Company Building | 0.3 miles | 1976 | |
 | Quaker Oats Cereal Factory | 0.4 miles | 1978 |
 | Akron Post Office and Federal Building | 0.4 miles | 1983 |
| National Archives record | The nomination case file for reference 73001536 in Record Group 79. |
| Summit County | All 137 listed properties in this county. |
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