Searlhurst was opened by the Searl Family. Anna M. Searl, the widow of Dr. William A Searl of the Fair Oaks Villa, operated the business with the help of her sons William and at times Howard, a local doctor.
Akron City Directory 1938-39.
Searlhurst Golf Course, 601 Tallmadge Road.
Managers:William Searl
Residents: Mrs. A.M. Searl, Thomas G. McKenna. WA-2731
Akron City Directory 1939-40.
Searlhurst Golf Course, 601 Tallmadge Road.
Managers: William (& Margaret) Searl
Residents: Anna M Searl (wid of Dr. Wm Searl), Dr. Howard Searl.
Akron City Directory 1941-42.
Searlhurst Golf Course, 601 Tallmadge Road
Manager: William D. (& Elizabeth) Searl
Residents: A. Horton Searl, Anna M. Searl, Dr. Howard Searl
Akron City Directory 1943.
Anna M Searl (wid of Dr. Wm A. Searl) moved to 639 Broad Boulevard.
Dr. Howard Searl became physician in the Army but listed 639 Broad Boulevard as home.
William (and wife Margaret) also resides at 639 Broad Boulevard and is employed at Brookledge Golf Course.
Searlhurst Golf Course is no longer listed.
The time was probably 1938 or 39, a little before World War 2. The neighborhood kids living on High Street would occasionally go over to the golf course which was then not in operation. The grass or weeds were mostly about a foot or so high and usually dry. Someone among us would have a book or small box of matches. On a dare, he would light the grass on fire. If he tried to put the fire out too quickly, we would implore him to let it burn a little longer. After the fire comprised an area of about 10 to 15 feet in diameter, we would then try to put the fire out. Seemingly, we were always too late to get the fire out and we would all run away. Pretty soon the fire trucks would come and extinguish the fire. I don’t know about the other kids but I usually ended up hidden away in my bedroom until the coast was clear.