Celebrating the people who made Akron the “Rubber Capital of the World.”
Since 2019, Akron Stories has interviewed more than 130 rubber workers and their descendants; capturing thousands of stories, and produced more than 100 mini-documentary films bringing each one to life with family photos and archival film.
Making History
The Rubber Worker Statue & Stories project was launched in 2016 by Miriam Ray, a resident of Tallmadge (OH). Miriam tirelessly advocated for the statue, developing the project in collaboration with Craig Thompson (architect), Beth Becker (media), and Alan Cottrill (sculptor). Mac Love (Art x Love) joined the team in 2019 as the project leader, developed Akron Stories as a grassroots initiative, created the website, managed the commemorative brick sales, and guided the oral history project.
Mayor Dan Horrigan commissioned Alan Cottrill to produce and install the Rubber Worker Statue as the centerpiece of the new roundabout on S. Main & Mill Street, in downtown Akron. The 12-foot tall bronze statue is inspired by the image on the cover of the 1999 book Wheels of Fortune: The Story of Rubber in Akron, by David Giffels and Steve Love, and was installed in 2021.
Commemorative Plaza
The Rubber Worker Statue & Akron Stories historic plaza was dedicated in 2022.
The Rubber Worker Statue & Akron Stories historic plaza serves as the centerpiece of Akron’s newly built Main Street corridor. The plaza features more than 2,000 commemorative bricks, a marble bench engraved with the words of Akronite and national poet laureate Rita Dove, and signage recognizing the vital contributions of Women and African Americans to Akron’s rubber industry.
We are forever grateful to these Akron Stories Champions for their support in bringing this project to life.
Rhonda Aguilar • Karen Armour • Tim Bartlebaugh • Mark Clark • SFC. Johnnie R. Downs • Brigitte Falkenstein • Lisa Perri • John Saros • Lorena Starcher • Larry Templeton • Summit County Historical Society • Thomarios • Nicole Tomayko • David Topliff • William Vaughn • John Wilson