Description: Three photographs document a Soap Box Derby race in Akron, Ohio. Myron Scott, a Dayton Daily News photographer, established the All-American Soap Box Derby in Dayton in 1933. The first race was such a success that another was planned for the following year, with support of newspapers across the country. Akron Beacon Journal sports editor Jim Schlemmer was instrumental in garnering support from Akron's rubber companies for the race. Shortly after the 1934 race, a delegation from Akron met with Derby sponsor Chevrolet to explore the possibility of making the Derby a national event and moving it to Akron. They were successful and in 1935 the Soap Box Derby was held in Akron on Tallmadge Hill. The following year the Derby was held at Derby Downs, a Works Progress Administration project built adjacent to the Akron Municipal Airport. Each summer the Derby attracts youth from all over the world to compete in the Gravity Grand Prix. The photographs measure 3" x 5" (7.62 x 12.7 cm). View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3260_4538274_001
Subjects: Sports; Arts and Entertainment; Daily Life; Transportation; Coaster cars; Racing; Crowds
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the finish line at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, 1962. The first All-American Soap Box Derby race was held in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. The race was moved to Akron in 1935. Leaders in the Akron community saw the need for the race to have a permanent location. The Works Progress Administration began construction of Derby Downs in 1936. The national competition has been held there each August ever since. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07617
Subjects: Coaster cars; Ohio Economy--Architecture and Engineering; Racing; Sports--Ohio--History; Soap box derbies--Ohio
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the raceway in use during the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, 1962. The first All-American Soap Box Derby race was held in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. The race was moved to Akron in 1935. Leaders in the Akron community saw the need for the race to have a permanent location. The Works Progress Administration began construction of Derby Downs in 1936. The national competition has been held there each August ever since. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07618
Subjects: Coaster cars; Ohio Economy--Architecture and Engineering; Sports--Ohio--History; Racing; Soap box derbies--Ohio
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Race cars in competition at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, 1962. The first All-American Soap Box Derby race was held in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. The race was moved to Akron in 1935, when leaders in the Akron community saw the need for the race to have a permanent location. The Works Progress Administration began construction of Derby Downs in 1936. The national competition has been held there each August ever since. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07619
Subjects: Coaster cars; Ohio Economy--Architecture and Engineering; Racing; Sports--Ohio--History; Cultural Ohio--Ohio Sports; Soap box derbies--Ohio
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Race cars neck and neck coming to the finish line at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, 1962. The first All-American Soap Box Derby race was held in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. The race was moved to Akron in 1935, when leaders in the Akron community saw the need for the race to have a permanent location. The Works Progress Administration began construction of Derby Downs in 1936. The national competition has been held there each August ever since. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07620
Subjects: Coaster cars; Ohio Economy--Architecture and Engineering; Soap box derbies--Ohio
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Two cars approach the finish line in a soap box derby race held in Columbus, Ohio, in July of 1964. The winner of the Columbus race qualified to compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby held in Akron, Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03986
Subjects: Coaster cars; Racing; Cultural Ohio--Ohio Sports
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows the 1980 Soap Box Derby, held in Akron, Ohio, at Derby Downs. This aerial view includes the track, the blurred images of three cars at the finish line, the vast crowd of spectators, and parking lot beyond. The Soap Box Derby had its origins during the 1930s. Children in Dayton, Ohio, manufactured their own cars. They would build these cars from discarded lumber and other items and then race the autos down hills in the community. The cars were not powered by gasoline or any other type of fuel. The cars simply rolled down the hill with a child inside. The winner was the child that reached the bottom of the hill first. Myron Scott, a Dayton reporter, covered one of these races. He decided that children across the United States could enjoy this activity, and he began to promote it across the country. In 1934, Dayton held the first "All-American Race," where soap box racers from across the country brought their creations to race. The following year, the race moved to Akron, Ohio, due to its hillier terrain. Since 1935, the All-American Soap Box Derby has taken place in Akron. In 1936, Akron city officials decided to build a permanent facility for the race. With the assistance of the Works Progress Administration, one of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal programs, the city completed Derby Downs, a soap box racetrack. Thousands of children from across the United States and from other nations have come to race their creations at Derby Downs every year since the track's completion. The only exception to this was a four-year period during World War II, when many activities, including soap box derbies, came to a halt so that people could concentrate on the war effort. Today, children compete for college scholarships in addition to other prizes. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06151
Subjects: All-American Soap Box Derby; Coaster cars; Soap box derbies--Ohio; Aerial views; Akron (Ohio)
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows a soap box derby race that was held in Akron, Ohio, during the 1930s. Three cars are coasting down a hill on what appears to be a residential street. Spectators line both sides of the street; telephone poles are located along the left side of the street. A man wearing a uniform (possibly a state trooper) stands in the foreground, directly opposite the lead car. The Soap Box Derby had its origins during the 1930s. Children in Dayton, Ohio, manufactured their own cars. They would build these cars from discarded lumber and other items and then race the autos down hills in the community. The cars were not powered by gasoline or any other type of fuel. The cars simply rolled down the hill with a child inside. The winner was the child that reached the bottom of the hill first. Myron Scott, a Dayton reporter, covered one of these races. He decided that children across the United States could enjoy this activity, and he began to promote it across the country. In 1934, Dayton held the first "All-American Race," where soap box racers from across the country brought their creations to race. The following year, the race moved to Akron, Ohio, due to its hillier terrain. Since 1935, the All-American Soap Box Derby has taken place in Akron. In 1936, Akron city officials decided to build a permanent facility for the race. With the assistance of the Works Progress Administration, one of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal programs, the city completed Derby Downs, a soap box racetrack. Thousands of children from across the United States and from other nations have come to race their creations at Derby Downs every year since the track's completion. In 1936, Akron city officials decided to build a permanent facility for the race. With the assistance of the Works Progress Administration, one of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal programs, the city completed Derby Downs, a soap box racetrack. Thousands of children from across the United States and from other nations have come to race their creations at Derby Downs every year since the track's completion. The only exception to this was a four-year period during World War II, when many activities, including soap box derbies, came to a halt so that people could concentrate on the war effort. Today, children compete for college scholarships in addition to other prizes. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06152
Subjects: All-American Soap Box Derby; Coaster cars; Soap box derbies--Ohio; Akron (Ohio)
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)