Glendale Cemetery Explosion, 1977 Akron, Ohio

Greetings ~

Back in June, 1977, The Akron explosion was a big story. Rubber Union strikers dumped chemicals into the Akron City sewer system. Why? Who the hell knows? Some people are just plain stupid. The chemicals ran the route down to the downtown area and settled near historic Glendale Cemetery. There, for whatever reason, it exploded. The impact was devestating. Mostly to the cemetery.

A good friend of mine, who lived only two blocks away from Ground 0, was, along with his wife, thrown out of bed by the explosion and had several windows broken.

Glendale Cemetery is one of the oldest grave yards around Akron, Ohio. The Civil War Chapel, built shortly after the war's end, is located there. The chapel sustained much of the damage from the explosion. Stained glass windows were shattered and the foundation was damaged. So were other structures in the cemetery such as the office which was built in the late 1800s.

It took years, but the fabulous Glendale workers managed to get the grounds and the buildings restored. Not a single building was lost. What happened to the idiots who dumped the chemicals, I don't know. But in 1978, when my wife and I was selling a mobile home, a young man came to look at it and brought his father. As they looked around, the father told me that it was hard for his son to find a place to live as he had been one of the workers involved in dumping the chemicals and no one wanted to deal with him. I told the father that I was one of them. I wouldn't deal with him either. So, I did not sell the trailer to them. I happened to be a lover of Glendale Cemetery.

This blog I am dedicating to all those who worked so hard to get Glendale restored. Thank you all. Akron really needs it.

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From the Glendale Cemetery Website:

Glendale is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was established in 1839 by Dr. J.D. Commins, who visited Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusets, and was inspired to create the same park-like setting for a cemetery in Akron. The cemetery features a wide variety of architectural styles that draw upon ancient building forms. Mausoleums are modeled after Egyption, Greek and Roman temples or Gothic churches. The stately mausoleums and symbolic statues are scattered throughout, honoring prominent citizens of Akron, including politicians, famous, industrialists, and Akron socialites.

Glendale is an active and sacred burial space and is also considered a nature park. The cemetery has 85 hilly acres with mature trees shading the landscapes and curving winding roads. Visitors are welcome to visit burial sites or take walks throughout the grounds. Gates are open every day from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for all visitors.