Green Book Details
The Mecca sits near the corner of E. Furnace and N. High Streets. This building is something of a mystery. An advertisement appearing in 1925 indicates that this space was a storage facility with rooms available to rent. This space could have served as a hotel. There is some indication that in 1931 that this building served as a grocery store. Rum raids during the prohibition were also frequent at this site. A victim of these raids was John Nicholas. He was charged with possession of $1,500 of liquor that was stashed at The Mecca. In 1925, a William Wilson and Tony Mardel, who were described as keepers of the place were also charged with the sale of liquor. While this site does not appear to have much activity surrounding African American activism, it certainly was a hotspot for illegal activity during the prohibition. It is unknown what has happened to this site after its sale in 1941.
Resources
- Article “Akron Police Seize Bonded Rum in Raid”. Akron Beacon Journal. March 19, 1931.
- Article “Prohibition Men, Deputy Sheriffs, Seize Big Still”. Akron Beacon Journal. October 21, 1927.
- Classified Listing “Business Places”. Akron Beacon Journal. May 18, 1925.
- Classified Listing “Commercial Properties for Sale”. Akron Beacon Journal. February 27, 1941.
- Map. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Akron. 1930-1940. Vol. 1, 1940.