Goodyear Tires are recognized around the world as a major brand, but how much do you know
about the company’s founder?
Hi everyone, ken here, welcome to this house.
Today we are exploring the Mansion tires built.
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In 1859, Franklin Augustus Seiberling, better known as Frank, was born in Western Star,
Ohio.
His father owned a farm machinery business that was ever expanding.
After graduating from Heidelberg College, Frank went to work for his father as a secretary.
It gave him a comfortable lifestyle to support the love of his life, Gertrude and their 7
children.
But that all changed during the panics of the 1890s.
Though it was not as severe as other recessions, it hit hard in rural communities forcing his
father to close up shop.
Frank was now nearly 40 years old and unemployed.
Scrambling to make ends meet and feed his family, he had an epiphany.
Automobile production was soaring, Rubber was cheap and an old factory in east akron
was going out of business.
He partnered up with both his brother and his brother in law to create a tire company.
While brainstorming for a name, they came up with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
They had chosen this name to pay homage to the inventer, Charles goodyear, who had discovered
the process of vulcanization, making rubber tires a possibility.
The company began taking off, selling stock, and making a profit, but in 1908 Frank made
a major breakthrough which would grow the Goodyear beyond his wildest dreams.
He filed a patent for the Seiberling State Tire Building Machine.
Up until this time, a single factory worker could only make 5 tires during their 10 hour
shift, now, with the help of Frank’s machine, they could make 60 tires in the same amount
of time.
It’s no surprise that by 1916, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber company had become the largest
producer of tires in the world.
Frank continued to refine tires, experimenting with various tread patterns and created the
pneumatic truck tire to replace solid tires.
Frank began investing back in Akron, building affordable neighborhoods for factory workers
and their families.
He also purchased land for parks, built a hospital, and funded schools.
He was effectively transforming Akron into one of the most desirable towns, so it came
as no surprise when he decided to settle down here permanently rather than move to Manhattan
like so many other barrons industry.
In 1915, Frank hired Ohio born architect, Charles Sumner Schneider to design for him
a sprawling tudor revival style mansion.
Coming in at 64,500 square feet, the all brick home boasted half timbered gables and a 4
story tower protruding from the slate roof.
Gardens surrounded the house with paths and bridges branching out into heavily forested
enclaves of natural beauty.
The interior of the mansion was adorned with wood work at every turn.
The stairs gracefully ascended the 4 story tower below diamond pained and stained glass
windows set in arching millwork.
The geometric ceiling radiated from a pendant light suspended in the center floating above
intricately carved wooden balustrade set between oversized newel posts spiring upwards.
Tucked to the side, hidden in the wall panels, was an elevator finished out to be as luxurious
as the rest of the stair hall.
The great hall soared with double heigh ceilings opening to exposed beams and trusses above
a limestone fireplace.
To one side, bay windows were set in archways, flooding the room with natural light.
To the other side, a balcony rested on wood posts, expanding one end to the other.
The open concept dining and living room was anchored on a single rug above the stone floors,
lending its likeness to that of the great hunting lodges which Frank and his Wife had
fallen in love with while vacationing in England.
The dining room was finished out with wood wall panels separated by pilasters and bound
together by a simple frieze above which were scenes depicting figures amongst nature.
The Jacobean ceiling held two crystal chandeliers above each end of the dining room table which
was centered on a stone fireplace flanked by sconce lights and resting below intricate
relief work in its upper mantle.
The music room was massive, once again clad with wood wall panels, guests could sit on
semi circular sofas enjoying live music echoing throughout the room from the intricately framed
stage.
We can imagine formal shows where a host would make announcements to the audience before
drawing the heavy curtains as music broke out.
Getting lost in the mansion’s grand halls, we stumble into the south gallery with the
ceiling forming a series of groin vaults disappearing into the distance.
From here, we discover the library with intricate fretwork surrounding ornately carved doors.
The ceiling was hand stenciled with geometric line work set between exposed beams, adding
visual interest to an area most would have left blank.
The fireplace was centered between windows and books shelves with an upper mantle demanding
hierarchy on the wall with architectural details and figures protruding from it.
With so many details to look at, you might forget to question why there are sconce lights
on the bookshelves.
Pulling on one of them would reveal a secret passage way where you could continue exploring
the home.
You might find an office with more humble proportions, tucked away for solitude.
Or perhaps you would stumble upon the solarium wrapped in windows and teaming with exotic
plants.
Perhaps you would wind up on the second floor in the Gothic Bedroom with its oversized stone
fireplace set below exposed trusses vaulting above you.
Continuing on, you would come across Frank and Gertrude’s bedroom with a fourposter
bed made of heavy wood sealed off by floral curtains.
Gertrude’s dressing room was gilted with painted doors ornamented to appear as wall
panels.
She would have outfits planned for the day and set out ready to be worn.
Her private bathroom was tiled from floor to ceiling with a groin vault converging on
a simple, modern pendant light.
The bathroom was equipped with the most luxurious features for the time including a siltz bath
and a heater next to the toilet.
The house continued on with many more bedrooms each styled to be distinguishable from eachother,
but cohesive none the less.
You could even find specialty rooms scattered about the house including a flower room specifically
for cutting fresh flowers to decorate the house with.
Of course, a house of this magnitude took an abundance of servants to run.
The laundry room alone featured 4 wet sinks amongst the most cutting edge laundry machines
of the time.
We can imagine an entire kitchen crew cooking every meal for the family in the industrial
kitchen stocked with state of the art appliances.
And separate pantry with built in containing enough food to feed a party.
The servants quarters were considerably nicer than most working class homes of the time.
The servants hall was finished out with wood paneling and antique furniture and included
radiator heating, allowing them to feel comfortable while off the clock.
It was said that Frank never became disconnected from his roots, he believed in building community
and giving back where he could.
He made massive donations to parks, hospitals, schools and charities, being involved with
over 20 separate organizations with the goal of making life better for anyone in need of
help in Akron.
At the age of 95 years old, frank passed away leaving his estate to his 6 surviving adult
children.
They set up a non profit organization, the Stan Hywet Hall Foundation for the house’s
preservation, then donated the house for public use.
It can be visited seasonally and if you do happen to take a tour, make sure to look above
the front door where you will find Frank’s daily reminder translating to “not for us
alone”
As we finish this video, make sure to let me know which room was your favorite down
in the comments section below.
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