HISTORY OF CASCADE LOCKS
1826
Built during 1826 and 27, the Cascade Locks became the site of the city's first industrial valley. The same topography that presented an obstacle for the canal builders provided waterpower for a string of industries that soon lined the canal. This new village, founded by Dr. Eliakim Crosby, with help from Simon Perkins, was called Cascade.
The Cascade Locks were constructed of huge blocks of sandstone, sawed and chiseled to shape. The locks have a width of 15 feet, and they are up to 90 feet long. The source of canal water is the Portage Lakes.
1832
Parallel to the canal, was the Cascade Race, built in 1832 by Eliakim Crosby. It was this separate mill race which turned the water wheels of the Cascade Mills along with several other flour mills, a woolen mill, a furniture factory, five iron furnaces, a distillery, and other early Akron industries.
1840
The first building constructed on the project site was The Cascade Grist Mill, it was built by in 1840 by William Mitchell.
1861
Ferdinand Schumacher secured a contract to supply rolled oats to the Union Army which launched his career as a cereal entrepreneur.
1868
Ferdinand Schumacher purchased the Cascade Grist Mill in 1868. By 1876 he had invested heavily in the structure by constructing a state-of-the-art water power system, including a 36 foot "overshot" wheel.
1879
A wooden trestle was constructed by the Valley Line Railroad and is currently traveled by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
1881
Aetna Mills sat on Lock 10 at the southern end of the Cascade Locks. The mill was operated on waterpower until it converted to steam power in 1881.
1900
By the end of the century, the only common freight traffic on the Ohio & Erie was coal for the boilers of Lake Erie steamboats. Nevertheless, there arose a move to restore the canal for excursion trade; and in 1906 and 07, a contract was let to the Daley Brothers to accomplish the project. To preserve the 15-foot width of the channel, the Daley workers chipped back the sandstone blocks about a foot deep and then cast a heavy waterproofing barrier of concrete into this wall cavity They also built many new gates.
1913
The Great Flood of 1913 was one of the worst natural disasters in Ohio history. The Akron area received over 9 inches of rain during the week of March 23, 1913. Falling on still frozen ground, the rain could not be absorbed, causing flooding of lakes, rivers, and streams. The Cascade Locks area suffered severe damage to businesses, roads, and bridges. Many homes washed completely away. To relieve the pressure from backed up water, some of the locks were dynamited. The damage was beyond repair. The Conservancy Act of Ohio in 1914 set up conservancy districts to promote construction of water control systems and prevent the type of destruction that occurred in the flood.
1923
Schumacher Mills in ruins after the flood and the ravages of time.
1989
The City of Akron procured the Mustill home and store property for $24,350 under Mayor Don Plusquellic’s leadership.
Cascade Locks Park Association was founded by Virginia Wojno-Forney, Douglas Hausknecht, Progress for Preservation among other dedicated community supporters.
Congressman John Seiberling, the primary driving force behind the creation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, suggested the organization’s name.
1990
Stone Arch at Lock 14 discovered and saved through the efforts of local canal and preservations groups, including Cascade Locks Park Association, Ohio Canal Society, Progress Through Preservation, Summit County Historical Society and the OCCC. The arch was carefully numbered and dismantled for relocation in the Cascade Locks Park.
1992
The Cascade Locks Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of the Interior.
1996
The Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor was designated by Congress in 1996, guided by the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and partners like CLPA. Today, the corridor fuels a shared sense of place and regional revitalization, supported by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and county park districts working together to steward the cultural and natural resources that tell our collective story.
2000
The two-year restoration of Fred and Emma Mustill’s home and store was completed and a grand re-opening celebration was held on July 2.
2002
Historical marker for the Mustill Site and Cascade Valley installed in celebration of Ohio’s 2003 bicentennial.
2005
The Master Plan for Cascade Locks Park was completed, paving the way for major improvements across the district. Local artist and cartoonist Chuck Ayers began designing the Schumacher Wheel interpretation, adding a signature artistic element to the plan. These efforts contributed to more than $100 million in city, park, and community investment, largely from 2000-2007.
2006
Construction begins on Cascade Locks Park, instrumental to Cascade Valley and Howard Street revitalization efforts. What was rocky, unpassable terrain was morphed into a usable public space.
2009
The $1.5 million project at Cascade Locks Park was completed, opening public access to a new stretch of the Towpath Trail and unveiling the Schumacher Wheel interpretation.
Cascade Locks Park Association celebrates 30 years.
2018
The Mustill Store is recognized as Akron’s Hottest Hidden Treasure at the ASCVB Zenith Awards.
Sculptor Mike Marras’ piece, Together We Grow, is installed, adding a new artistic landmark to the site.
Major investments in the former Swinehart Tire Factory were completed, and the Trailhead and Lock 15 Brewery opened—bringing weddings to the Mustill Store.
The Cascade Locks Memorial Garden was established to honor Lynn Metzger, Jack Gieck, and Bruce Norton for their lasting contributions to CLPA.
2023
Michael Gearhart’s portrait of Akron’s leaders is seasonally installed on the Mustill Store’s exterior for the first time.
2025
The inaugural Oatmeal Festival brings over 1,200 people to Cascade Valley and inspires street calming techniques on West North Street, improving safety and more connectivity between the north and south sides of the park.