This section of Main Street was once a center of business activity for New Berlin, later named Akron, and in the late 1800's included a tinsmith, printer, and hardware store. The entrance area to the Broad Street Playground was once known as Eighth Street, and it is believed that between Eighth and Ninth Streets the Akron Volunteer Fire Company built its first fire house in 1896 before it was later moved to the corner of Main and Tenth Streets. The area to the south was acquired by the Akron Athletic Association in 1919 and turned into a playground, then in 1940 the Association sold the land to the Borough for a minimal fee for a public playground and athletic field forever. In 1957, the Akron Lions Club created this entrance area for the playground and a monument was placed here to honor the veterans of Akron. By May 31, 1999, the area had been refurbished by the Borough of Akron and the Akron Lions Club, the monument was rededicated to honor Akron's veterans, and the town received a gift of a town clock from the Akron Centennial Committee.