Over the summer I quit my Residence Services job at Kent State and decided to move off campus. My roommate and I eventually settled on an apartment in Akron's Highland Square neighborhood. I love this neighborhood and I had been meaning to do a little photo tour for awhile, but I didn't get around to it until October of this year and I am just now posting some of my photos here.

 

The general Highland Square area (by my definition) is highlighted here with my path in blue. As you can see, I only covered a small portion of my hood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fix me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite streets, but I'll save that for a future thread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm somewhat disappointed with this development, I think it could have been a lot better. However, I believe a grocery store is going in here, eventually.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think they have enough parking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the state's finest neighborhoods.

Nice!

Ask Sherman about the ice cream at Mary Coyle's.

 

Great photos--I always hit up Highland Square if I am near Akron.

Let's just say that while the food was okay, the ice cream was GOOOOOD!

 

^That's generous of you, the food is awful. The ice cream however, is a different story.

Absolutely love that area, especially the residential stock - you got some great shots :-)

I don't think a paid real estate marketeer could have done a better job of selling that neighborhood through photos than you did. I was going to comment on some of the houses, but there were too many that I wanted to say how much I liked them.

 

And I spent many hours and many dollars at The Trolley Stop nightclub in Highland Square back in the late 1980s and early 90s. After nights of clubbing I should have stayed more often at friends' homes in Akron because other times I drove all the way back to my apartment in Kent or my parents' house in Bainbridge! Scary stuff!! I even got pulled over once for running a red light but they let me go -- I don't know how they missed smelling the alcohol on my breath. But there were good memories while I was in the Highland Square neighborhood! Thanks for helping me remember them through the haze of years and booze.

Those hill shots at the end, are you looking into downtown from there? 

 

I like the retail aspect.  Definetly getting a Bardstown Road/Highlands vibe with this place (looks like the housing stock is similar age, and I see they also have apartments).

 

 

 

And I spent many hours and many dollars at The Trolley Stop nightclub in Highland Square back in the late 1980s and early 90s. After nights of clubbing I should have stayed more often at friends' homes in Akron because other times I drove all the way back to my apartment in Kent or my parents' house in Bainbridge! Scary stuff!! I even got pulled over once for running a red light but they let me go -- I don't know how they missed smelling the alcohol on my breath. But there were good memories while I was in the Highland Square neighborhood! Thanks for helping me remember them through the haze of years and booze.

Haha, oddly enough, my uncle was just talking about his college days and The Trolley Stop came up.

 

Those hill shots at the end, are you looking into downtown from there?

Yes, that's looking into downtown. The view from exchange is even better.

I immediately thought of Trolley Stop....when I saw the Walgreens, ugh!!

 

I usually meet my dad for dinner in Fairlawn. Andrew you've inspired me to meet up in Highland Square instead.

^Yay! Everyone should stay out of Fairlawn. ;) If you need any restaurant advice, just ask.

^Yay! Everyone should stay out of Fairlawn. ;) If you need any restaurant advice, just ask.

 

Ha ha, my dads all about the Winking Lizard...loves all the tv screens.

 

Anyhow, was thinking Rays in Highland Square. Any suggestions that would be comparable?

^I've never been to Rays and I didn't know that they have food. With that said, I would suggest Mr. Zubs. Their food is great and they are connected to a bar as well, but if you don't like The Matinee you can just walk down to Rays.

Shoot, you're right Rays doesn't have food. I just assumed....And my confidential Akron source says Mr. Zubs/Matinee doesn't have sports on their tv's. A deal breaker for my Dad! Back to the drawing board lol.

 

 

^You could go to Rockne's on Market and Merriman.

Rockne's, great idea! Thanks Andrew.

My friend, CortlandGirl, told me about this post and I just wanted to say what a great job you did of capturing Highland Square. Ironically, the first apartment building (Alcazar) you took a picture of is the first one I lived in after college.

 

I moved from Highland Square in August to move in with my fiance, who currently lives in Doylestown, and I miss my neighborhood every single day.

 

Aside from the fact that I cried looking through the majority of these pictures (prob pathetic I know), it is nice to see that other people get what is so special about HS. I just wish my S.O. understood and would agree.

 

Hoping to be back someday....

Welcome to the forum!!!  :clap:

CityGrrl77, welcome! CortlandGirl is a nice person. And moving from Highland Square to Doylestown is quite a culture change -- from lots to little!

 

Sorry to hear your man doesn't understand cities. He must be a great guy for you to let go of the city for Doylestown!

Market, from downtown Akron for about 4 miles west (before you get to the one of the biggest strip malls messes in Ohio) is one of the best urban streets in the state in my opinion.  When ever I had something going on in downtown Akron I would always drive back to 77 via Market rather than hoping on the freeway downtown just to soak up the street scape.

The thing that stands out about Akron is the tree coverage and sort of "urban garden" aspect to the city (this could be due to the fact the city boomed late by Ohio standards). Perhaps more thought went into the greenery.

 

And did Dutch Elm disease never hit this city? It looks like Akron has an abnormally high number of neighborhoods with mature trees by Midwestern standards. Maybe there was more diversity when planting shade trees.

Great photos of Akron's best neighborhood! Lots of familiar sites there for me.

 

Market, from downtown Akron for about 4 miles west (before you get to the one of the biggest strip malls messes in Ohio) is one of the best urban streets in the state in my opinion.  When ever I had something going on in downtown Akron I would always drive back to 77 via Market rather than hoping on the freeway downtown just to soak up the street scape.

 

Actually, the area of Market Street just west of downtown could use some work. From about North Street to MLK there are lots of car lots and other anti-urban land uses.

CityGrrl77, welcome! CortlandGirl is a nice person. And moving from Highland Square to Doylestown is quite a culture change -- from lots to little!

 

Sorry to hear your man doesn't understand cities. He must be a great guy for you to let go of the city for Doylestown!

 

Yeah, it's been...interesting, to say the least. I like to say culture shock!

Actually, since he is getting rid of his house, we are moving to Barberton now because I need more normalcy otherwise I was going to have a nervous breakdown so to speak lol

Yeah, I'm sorry too-

The future is a funny thing, so we shall see.

Will be great to be back in Summit County! Half way back!

Great photos!!

What a fantastic looking neighborhood, and the fall colors you captured were awesome as well!