AKRON, Ohio – A long-awaited 12-foot-tall bronze rubber-worker sculpture was unveiled in the center of a new roundabout in Akron’s newly reconstructed downtown on Thursday.

The sculpture, created by Zanesville artist Alan Cottrill, signifies the city’s historic past, when four of the largest tire manufacturing companies in the world had a presence in Akron.

The sculpture was unveiled while a live-stream took place on Facebook for those who couldn’t attend in person. The unveiling was postponed, more than once during the past year.

“When this concept for the statue was first conceived, I don't think anybody could have foreseen that we would have to endure a global pandemic and a national shutdown,” Horrigan said. “So they did set us back just a little bit.”

What You Need To Know

  • Akron's new bronze, rubber-worker sculpture, created by Zanesville artist Alan Cottrill, signifies the city’s rubber-manufacturing history

  • Inspiration for the sculpture, which portrays a rubber worker holding a large truck tire, was the cover of the book, “Wheels of Fortune,” by David Giffels and Steve Love

  • The city is paying homage to rubber workers through the Rubber Worker Stories Project, which displays audio and video of rubber-workers’ stories at an interactive kiosk near the sculpture

  • Residents can still purchase a commemorative brick through June 18 for a walkway being installed near the kiosk

Inspiration for the sculpture, which portrays a rubber worker holding a large truck tire, was the cover of the book, “Wheels of Fortune,” by David Giffels and Steve Love.

Horrigan pointed out that much has changed in the past couple years with the complete reconstruction of Main Street.

“But one thing that has not changed is Akron’s  deep and meaningful connection to the rubber industry, once the official ‘Rubber Capital of the World,’ and I say it still is. Akron is the global headquarters of Goodyear and Bridgestone and other tire-industry companies,” he said. “Akron’s rubber companies grew and prospered on the labor of the thousands of rubber works who flocked to the city to better their lives.”

Horrigan said his family, like many families in Akron, had several members who worked for the Goodyear, Firestone, B.F. Goodrich and Mohawk Tire comapnies.

 
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“The statue was a testament to them, and to every single worker who participated in the industry," he said. “Their dedication will never be forgotten and will be forever honored in the very new center of Akron downtown.”

At the northeast corner of the Main and Mill streets roundabout is an area paying homage to the rubber workers and the industry.

The city partnered with Art x Love Agency to develop the Rubber Worker Stories Project, founded by Miriam Ray, which collects audio/visual stories from rubber workers and their descendants. Excerpts from the stories are paired with archival footage that’s available online and at an interactive kiosk near the sculpture.

Nearby is a walkway made with over 1,000 commemorative bricks, with more to be installed, honoring Akronites and their families.

The deadline to purchase a brick online has been extended to June. 18.