
AKRON'S MOST ECLECTIC NEIGHBORHOOD
Highland Square is a dynamic offbeat urban neighborhood, home to a remarkable collection of quirky shops, tempting restaurants, unique entertainment, cozy apartments and convenient personal services. This thriving historical arts district supported by both new youthful residents and longtime, committed community members. Best of all, Highland Square is far enough away from the hubbub to be quaint, but close enough to offer convenience with easy access to downtown Akron, Montrose and the Fairlawn area.
HIGHLAND SQUARE A DYNAMIC URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD
HIGHLAND SQUARE HISTORY
For nearly a century, Highland Square has been a pleasant neighborhood for Akronites, including nationally recognized residents such as publisher John S. Knight, Senator Charles Dick, presidential candidate Wendell Willkie, industrialist Paul W. Litchfield, and Alcoholics Anonymous founder Dr. Robert Smith.
The region's oldest feature is the Portage Path, which passes along the street of that name. For decades, the statue of an Indian has watched over this famous pathway where Native Americans carried their canoes between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas Rivers. The Portage Path was part of the effective western boundary of the white and Native American lands from 1785 to 1805. When first erected, the Indian statue stood along the curb on West Market Street. The refurbished statue now stands on a landscaped site on the corner of Portage Path and West Market Street.
No one seems to know precisely when the name Highland Square was first applied to the area surrounding the intersection of Highland Avenue and West Market Street. The name was in common use by the 1930s, possibly because of the new Highland Theater, Coyle's ice cream store, several well patronized bars and restaurants and other commercial activities called attention to it.
Today, much of Highland Square remains much as they have been – livable areas close to the central city. Best of all, the district has retained its warm neighborhood flavor.
COMMUNITY LEADERS
LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES
City – Ward 1
Rich Swirsky
City Councilman
183 North Highland Ave.
Akron, OH 44303
Phone: 330.375.2800 ext.8301
Contact Rich Swirsky
County – District 4
Jeff Wilhite
Summit County Representative
Phone: 330-643-2725
Contact Jeff Wilhite
State House – District 34
Emilia Stron Sykes
Representative
District 34 (D)
Assistant Minority Whip
77 S. High St
10th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-466-3100
Emilia Strong Sykes
U.S. CONGRESS
Ohio 13th Congressional District
Tim Ryan
1030 Tallmadge Ave
Akron, OH 44310
Phone: 330.630.7311
Ohio 11th Congressional District
Marcia Fudge
4834 Richmond Road, Suite 150
Warrensville Heights, OH 44128
Phone: 216.522.4900
U.S. Senate
Sherrod Brown
Website
1301 East Ninth St.
Suite 1710
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: 216.522.7272
Toll Free: 888.896.6446
@SenSherrodBrown
Rob Portman
Website
1240 East 9th Street
Room 3061
Cleveland, OH 44199
Phone: 216.522.7095
DC Phone: 202-224-3353
@senrobportman