Edwardsville Spectator

From the Portage (O.) Journal.

AKRON

The village recently laid out, by Messrs. Perkins and Williams, on the Portage summit, has received the name of Akron. The ground selected for the location of this village, is situated on the banks of the Canal, and is highly pleasant and delightful. There is to be an artificial basin constructed, for the lading and unlading of the boats, within the immediate vicinity of the place, and it is supposed that water privileges, sufficient for all the conveniences of trade and manufactures, may be obtained by means of water which will be supplied by the canal. How far the schemes of those interested, will succeed in building a town on this romantic, and as yet, almost uncultivated spot of ground, remains for time to determine. Examples, however, quite as singular, are afforded in the numerous villages which have arisen on the New-York canal, since the commencement of that great work. Some, indeed, have already assumed a degree of importance which entitle them to a rank among the first in the state. This section of the country possesses, as far as our knowledge extends, all the local advantages usually met with on the New-York canal, and it only remains for our enterprising citizens to apply the hand of art and industry, and their undertaking will be crowned with equal success.

The excavation of the Ohio canal, at the Portage summit, was commenced in July last, when the greater portion of the land, now occupied as the position of Akron, was covered with standing trees. A considerable distance of the canal at that place is now completed. The village already contains three or four stores, a great number of groceries, mechanical shops of different kinds, and a number of dwelling houses.