Goodyear Hall-Ohio Savings and Trust Company

Goodyear Hall in 1920

Goodyear Hall cafeteria

Goodyear Hall interior views

Completed in 1920, the industrial university and recreational institution was developed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for the welfare of its employees. The building included an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1686, the largest stage and theater in Akron in its time, and one of the largest in Ohio. The gymnasium was comparable to a college indoor athletic stadium. There were bowling alleys, target and rifle ranges, Goodyear university, and a cafeteria capable of accommodating 8,000 daily. Dormitory rooms were available for both men and women, in addition to recreational rooms and the library.[3] There were three entrances, two on East Market and one through the gymnasium.[2]

Wide corridors bisected the main floor longitudinally, separating the 12 store rooms and the auditorium and gymnasium. The auditorium was well appointed. Its main floor and suspended balcony seated 1,686. The stage was 40 feet (12 m) across, with double apertures, so as to permit its use by both the main auditorium and gymnasium. The gymnasium had a seating capacity of 5,000 people. An indirect lighting system was used throughout the auditorium with the exception of hanging candle fixtures which case a glow upon mural panels arranged on the side wall. A French Renaissance decoration scheme was used.[3] The large gymnasium with gallery had a floor space of 172 by 100 feet (52 m × 30 m), large enough to permit five basketball games simultaneously.

On the second floor, in addition to the auditorium balcony and emporium and balcony to the gymnasium, were tool rooms, writing and music rooms, a large and well equipped library, and a large community room for men. An industrial cafeteria, equipped with culinary appliance also occupied the second floor. Dormitories for 300 men were situated on the triangular space near the intersection of Goodyear Avenue and East Market Street.[3]

On the third floor were located the legislative chambers of the House of Representatives and Senate of the Goodyear Industrial Republic. Well-equipped committee and secretaries' rooms adjoined the house and senate.[4] A large girls' community hall was also housed on this floor. As on the floor below, the triangular space was used for dormitories for girls until other housing places were found. The remainder of this floor was devoted to women's recreational rooms, including a large assembly room for sewing and domestic science classes. This floor also included dormitory provisions for women.[3]

The fourth floor was given over to "Goodyear University" with accommodation for 5,500 students. There were 65 class rooms and studies which were augmented by fully equipped laboratories on the fourth and fifth floors. Near the front of the building, there was a large student's assembly room.[3]

On the seventh floor, there was a well-equipped picture department.[3] Films were used for educational purposes in classrooms to teach students the details of various operations of manufacturing rubber products. There were also facilities for developing and screening pictures to be used in Akron and in branches all over the world.[4]

In the basement, there were locker rooms with 5,500 lockers, 12 bowling alleys, six rifle ranges, a large clothes checking room and a barber shop.[3] A tunnel from the factory building across the street was created give access to the basement.[4]

Renovation plans by the developer Industrial Realty Group were underway in 2014 to convert the structure into a multipurpose building with residential and retail tenants.[5] In 2015, it was reported that retail space was developed on the first floor and that 105 apartments were being built out on upper floors, named The Residences at East End.[6]

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Akron, Ohio

• This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: The Accessory and Garage Journal (1920)
• This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: India Rubber Review Company's India Rubber & Tire Review (1920)

• The Accessory and Garage Journal (1920). The Accessory and Garage Journal. Vol. X, No. 1. Pawtucket, Rhode Island: The Accessory and Garage Journal.
• India Rubber Review Company (1920). India Rubber & Tire Review. Vol. 20. India Rubber Review Company.

• Media related to Goodyear Hall-Ohio Savings and Trust Company at Wikimedia Commons
• Goodyear Hall, Ohio Savings and Trust Company at the National Register of Historic Places Program
• National Register of Historic Places nomination form