Coal, rails and community: Akron, Michigan's story of the early 1900s

Akron, Michigan, a quiet village in Tuscola County, was once a flowering center of industry and community life. In the early 20th century, Acrone's identity was shaped by two powerful forces: coal and railroad.

This short video shows rare postcard images that record the city's boom years. You will prove the Main Street with pony sleds, the high -towering coal semine with dozens of local men and the grain elevator and the memory of the region's agricultural strength.

Railways were the city's lifeline. The Detroit, Bay City & Western Railroad connected the Akron sectors with larger markets and made it possible to move to Michigan quickly. A striking picture in the video shows the consequences of a train accident – an unfortunate but very real risk of the era.

Community Pride was just as visible as his industry. Annual gatherings for parades and commemorative day produced crowds of residents and showed that acrons never fluctuated despite hard work and economic fluctuations.

Watch Acrone's role in Michigan's thumb region for three minutes. This insight into the past shows how small cities like Akron Michigan's growth have driven and built permanent municipalities.