Orville Haney, left, and Lori Tilden-Geiger of the Akron Chamber of Commerce stand at the main entrance of the former Akron State Bank. Haney recently purchased the building with plans to renovate it into both commercial and residential space. The building is one of 92 in Akron nominated to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

AKRON — A town sometimes overlooked in the northern Indiana landscape, Akron is considered to be a hidden gem in Fulton County by many of its residents. To that end, leaders in the community are taking steps to help ensure that its charm, beauty and legacy will be formally and permanently recognized for those who visit and live in the community.

According to Lori Tilden-Geiger, the Akron Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Akron have partnered to submit an nomination to designate 92 buildings, including commercial and residential structures, as part of the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the buildings downtown are included in the nomination, which then would be considered a historic district.

The application began in March 2021 with the help of a consultant very familiar with the process. Organizers are hoping to hear a decision by October and are very hopeful and confident it will go through.

“We’ve really seen a lot of younger people moving here,” said Tilden-Geiger. “What’s drawing them is that its a safe community, and they’re really liking the historic part of it too.”

One of those buildings includes the former Akron State Bank building that sits on the northwest corner of Rochester and Mishawaka streets, the town’s main intersection. The vacant building recently was purchased by Orville Haney, a former farmer and sixth-generation Akronite who now works as a real estate broker in the area.

“He’s got some great ideas for it,” said Tilden-Geiger. “He’s bringing his enthusiasm to Akron.”

Haney is renovating the building, which was thought to be built in the late 1890s. The immediate previous owner put a new roof on the building and began renovating the upstairs apartments. When Haney was approached to help sell the building, he told them that he wanted to buy it instead.

“We could have sold it, but it was in such poor shape that you just don’t know what you’re going to get — if they’re going to fix it up,” he said. “I’ve watched things deteriorate in my small town where there’s no face or name, and I didn’t want things looking like a hockey player’s smile around here, so we bought it.”

Haney intends to put his real estate business in one of the three commercial spaces but is looking for other tenants to fill the other first floor spaces. Additionally, there are five residential apartments upstairs, some of which are move-in ready.

“It’s still in the refurbishment phase,” Haney said. “If I can find somebody good to stay here with me and do business, I’ll keep it. If I can’t, I’ll probably sell it. It’s an expensive building to own but its got potential and I didn’t want to see it deteriorate.”

Haney’s great-great-great-great-grandfather was the vice-president of the bank. He also owned the stockyards in town and was the first man in town to put livestock on the rails to send to Chicago for slaughter.

“Other than making my hometown sound, this is where I want to have my wheel hub and I didn’t want that thing ugly,” said Haney. “I want that thing to look good. My vision for this is not to make a lot of money, but to make it nice and have it be a spot that Akron can utilize.”

Tilden-Geiger said the potential of Haney’s building, along with the other 91 structures on the roster submitted for historic preservation status, is crucial for their long-term future. Building owners could acquire historical tax credits and would make them eligible to apply for historic preservation grants. For those who meet the necessary standards, matching grants are available for up to $100,000.

“Being designated on the National Register of Historic Places, it attracts people, it attracts businesses,” said Tilden-Geiger. “That’s the goal, is to help our people who already have businesses here with some available grant money and tax credits. It makes the town attractive to residents and businesses.”

“Akron’s a well-kept secret,” said Haney. “We don’t do a good job of advertising ourselves. This is the crown jewel of the county.”