The Goodyear Theater

Completed in 1920, the industrial university and recreational institution was developed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for the welfare of its employees. The building included an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1686, the largest stage and theater in Akron in its time, and one of the largest in Ohio. Goodyear Hall is part of Akron’s historic Goodyear campus of 5.5 million square feet of buildings spread over 400 acres that was built starting in the early 1900s. Designed by Walker and Weeks as one building, Goodyear Hall includes the Ohio Savings Bank and Trust, in the Neo-Classical Revival style, and the Hall designed in the Gothic Revival style. Goodyear built the Hall and bank to offer its employees facilities for mental, physical and social betterment. It contains a large gymnasium, auditorium and other recreational amenities as well as classrooms and offices.