Tucked away on top of an overgrown wooded hill in Akron, OH is the forgotten memorial for John Brown. This memorial is more than 100 years old and is a surprise to most people when they learn of its existence. The memorial is on what is now, Akron Zoo property and close to where Brown once lived when in worked for Simon Perkins. John Brown was an abolitionist who with his followers, raided an arsenal at Harpers Ferry on Oct. 16, 1859. He had hopes of leading slaves to a rebellion. There were several fatalities and Brown was executed two months later on charges of Treason, murder, and inciting slave insurrection. This incident probably helped spark the Civil War.

John Brown has many ties to the Akron area and had lived in Hudson, Kent, and Akron. “The John Brown House” where he lived from 1844 - 1854, is now owned by the Summit County Historical Society.