Attn: Semi-nerdy super-sentimental history buffs of Akron!

Do you have a pretty old house and an investigative spirit? If so, grab a cup of coffee (or beverage of choice) on a lazy Sunday (or whenever) and research your home’s history. No dusty microfiche necessary!

My obsession began after acquiring a circa 1908 home with my buddy in the Highland Square area. I’ve heard that people settled this cozy ‘hood during the rubber boom to avoid the smoke, soot and noise in Akron’s eastern factory district.

We fell hard for our cute city-space for (but not limited to) its creeky oak floors, built-in dresser drawers and oversized spice closet. Being curious cats, we wanted to who else had called this goofy little house his or her home in the past century.

The urge came from the same soft spot in one’s heart that wants to know all the former loves of a new flame. Weird? Sure. Fun? You bet!

The quest was simple thanks to the leg-work of James A. Pahlau, an Akron architecture historian, who wrote a guide of sorts for us nerds including the Akron Public Library’s online City Directories as a resource.

You can download them in the form of Adobe files and investigate who owned your home (through the Street Directory section) and what his or her profession was (in the Alphabetical Listing of Names section). They are incredibly well organized and easy to navigate.

Who knows? A WWII hero, influential Akronite-feminist, or politician may have eaten (Quaker) cereal 95 years ago in the very same breakfast nook as you!

If you’re interested:

1. Click this: Historic Akron City Directories
2. Choose a year (most are available)
3. Preview the file
4. Select the “Street Directory” section
5. Find your addy (the streets are listed alphabetically)
6. Look the owners up under the Alphabetical List of Names section to find out what he or she did for a living
7. Google them!

If you dig all this digging, read Pahlau’s “Your Old House” guide.

This has some useful tips for further investigating, likewise if you’re looking to renovate or restore your home.

Happy Hunting!

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