Cascade Valley in Akron in Summit County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
George W. Mathews
1887-1982
— A Monument To A Man… A Time… And A Place —
Photographed By Craig Doda, May 20, 2023
1. George W. Mathews Marker
the Matthews Hotel
"A business with a soul"
at 77 North Howard Street
from 1925 to 1978
Enthralled by the vitality he witnessed as a visitor to Akron in 1920, George Mathews put his entrepreneurial spirit to work and established a boarding house; soon after a barber shop, then a beauty salon. Over the next half century, The Hotel (spelled "Matthews") was home to a series of shops and businesses including a photo studio and record store. Not the least of its fame was as the Akron home to the greatest "jazz age” entertainers who came here to perform and were guests at The Matthews.
George Mathews and his establishment on North Howard Street were the anchors of a rich and glorious district in the lifestyle of Akron's minority community from the mid 1920s through the 1970s.
by Mater Horn
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 41° 5.253′ N, 81° 30.992′ W. Marker is in Akron, Ohio, in Summit County. It is in Cascade Valley. Marker is at the intersection of North Howard Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard (Ohio Route 59), on the right when traveling north on North Howard
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Howard Street District (a few steps from this marker); Heating a City (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); United Rubber Workers International Union (about 500 feet away); Fueling Growth in a New Century (about 600 feet away); Site of Sojourner Truth's Speech on Women's Rights (about 700 feet away); Creating Crossroads of Commerce (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Cascade Valley / The Mustill Site (approx. ¼ mile away); Contributions Of African Americans To Akron's Rubber Industry (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Akron.
Photographed By Craig Doda, May 20, 2023
2. George W. Mathews Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, May 20, 2023
3. George W. Mathews Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, May 20, 2023
4. George W. Mathews Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 19, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
