Richard Howe House
October 17, 2008 Press release from the City of Akron with more information.
Executive
Summary Located at the corner of East Exchange Street and South High Street, the Richard Howe House is a canal-era landmark in downtown Akron. Known as the "Howe Mansion" by travelers on the Ohio & Erie Canal, this 1836 high-style Federal structure was the home of Richard Howe, the Resident Engineer of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Richard Howe: As Resident Engineer, Howe supervised the completion of the Ohio & Erie Canal from Cleveland to Massillon, Ohio from 1825 to 1832. Howe's responsibilities included engineering and designing the canal prism and locks between Massillon and Cleveland, including the fifteen-step lift locks built in the Cascade Locks Park. Howe also designed the configuration of Summit Lake and engineered the portage of the Ohio & Erie Canal over the Continental Divide. Howe served as Resident Engineer until 1850 and facilitated the construction of the Ohio & Erie Canal to the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal. This connection transformed Akron into a manufacturing and transportation center. Richard Howe was also active in a variety of civic activities including the construction of the Summit County Courthouse and Jail, Akron Rural Cemetery, Akron Lyceum and Library Association and led a group of Akron residents to California to search for gold in 1850. Richard Howe's influence on the transportation history of Akron and northeast Ohio was significant and has had a lasting impact on the social and economic development of the region. The House: Today, the Richard Howe House is only one of two Federal-style homes in the City of Akron and serves as a historic reminder of Akron's early canal-era. Both the exterior and the interior of the Richard Howe House have substantial architectural elements and fabric that directly relate to the era of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Nearly all of the extant exterior features, including the stone lintels, door surrounds, and window fenestration, illustrate high style elements of Federal architecture. The Vision: As a regional landmark, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition is restoring the Richard Howe House to its original glory to serve as a visitor's information center for residents and visitors to the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway and meeting and office facilities. Working in partnership with the City of Akron and our community partners, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition shall celebrate the heritage of the Ohio & Erie Canal and stimulate community and economic development through the restoration of the historic Richard Howe House. 2/04, Daniel M. Rice, President & Chief Executive Officer, OECC
© 2006 Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition |
