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Akron

The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Sports series is “Wrestling in Akron” from local author Dale Pierce. The book boasts more than 200 vintage and modern images chronicling wrestling in the Ohio community.

From the time it was founded in 1825, Akron was a town on the move. Once known as the “Rubber Capitol of the World,” it brought droves of new workers to downtown and the suburban areas. With expansion came a need for entertainment and wrestling was there for the multitudes.

From the contrast of high school amateurs on mats to snarling villains and heroes in the professional ring, the sport thrived. There were the early days of traveling carnivals, with circuit-riding wrestlers who would take on all comers from the audience, to secretive fights set by shifty promoters in railroad yards with onlookers placing bets. There were the glory days of the Akron Armory–offering the crowd a chance to see such luminaries as the cigar-chewing Killer Tim Brooks, the smiling Johnny Powers or the devious Don Kent–and beyond after the famed arena closed.

Highlights of Wrestling in Akron include:

  • Never before published photos from the private collection of the author, a former wrestling magazine editor. Some of the images include Hans Muller, Chris Colt, Killer Brooks, Fred Curry, Gold Dust, The Mongols and many more.
  • Behind the scene stories of the wrestlers and long forgotten stories from the days of the traveling carnival wrestling circuit.
  • The book also features rare Akron Armory wrestling program covers that were sold at the matches and images of famous wrestler’s autographs.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places. Have we done a book on your town? Visit http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/.