Downtown in Akron in Summit County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ohio Education Association

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 10, 2026

1. Ohio Education Association Marker

Inscription. On December 30, 1847, six educators met at the Summit County Courthouse to organize the first convention of the Ohio State Teachers' Association, now known as the Ohio Education Association (OEA). The organizers Josiah Hurty (Richland County), Thomas W. Harvey (Geauga County), M.D. Leggett (Summit County), Lorin Andrews (Ashland County), William Bowen (Stark County), and Marcellus F. Cowdery (Lake County) hoped "to elevate the profession of teaching” and “to promote the interests of schools in Ohio." In 1853, the General Assembly enacted the new association's entire slate of proposals into law, thus ensuring free, universal, public education in Ohio. For 175 years, the Ohio Education Association has advocated for fair terms and conditions of employment for Ohio educators and for the betterment and improvement of public education for all students.

Erected 2023 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation; Ohio Education Association; Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 52-77.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection,

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and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 30, 1847.

Location. 41° 4.792′ N, 81° 31.064′ W. Marker is in Akron, Ohio, in Summit County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of South High Street and Church Street, on the right when traveling north on South High Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 S High St, Akron OH 44308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Akron Industrial Leaders Of The Past (a few steps from this marker); Summit County World War II Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Akron Alumni Memorial Stadium (within shouting distance

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 10, 2026

2. Ohio Education Association Marker

of this marker); a different marker also named Summit County World War II Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Summit County Korean War Killed in Action (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Goodyear (within shouting distance of this marker); Summit County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Summit County Service Members Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Akron.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 15, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.