Independence in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ride the Rails

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 9, 2019

1. Ride the Rails Marker

Inscription.

The first steam engine chugged its way down the new Valley Railway in 1880, beginning an era of progress for the Cuyahoga Valley. Regional industrial growth boosted demand for coal and other raw materials. The railway connected mineral fields in the south to factories in the north. Promoters called it "the best coal and mineral railroad in Ohio."

The railway sped the pace of industry and offered passengers scenic day trips to enjoy the countryside. Depots became community hubs. People gathered for mail and telegraphs. Today, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad follows much of the same route and offers a great way to travel through Cuyahoga National Park and the Ohio and Erie Canalway.

Red or Yellow? , The sixteen original depots were red. Yellow paint signals a modern building. The design of modern depots follows the scale and architectural details of the Peninsula Depot, a typical Valley Railway building.

[Details on right side of marker] , The 1880 Guidebook for the Tourist and Traveler over the Valley Railway described views from the train.

Take an Excursion , Enjoy the scenery while the engineer handles the driving. You can stay on the train or hop off to access nearby attractions. On the train, become engrossed in stories of the valley through the Voices of the Valley audio tour. Tickets are available online, at www.cvrs.com, attended boarding stations, or on the train. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer and October.

Bike Aboard! , Between Rockside and Akron Northside stations, the railroad parallels the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a popular bicycling route. You can bike a distance of your choosing, then take the train for a relaxing ride back to your car - or do it in reverse. Flag down the train by waving both arms. Train staff will load your bike. No reservations are required. Services are seasonal.

The railroad travels through the Ohio and Erie Canalway National Heritage Area which includes Cuyahoga Valley National Park. . This historical marker was erected by National Park Service. It is in Independence in Cuyahoga County Ohio

Red or Yellow?
The sixteen original depots were red. Yellow paint signals a modern building. The design of modern depots follows the scale and architectural details of the Peninsula Depot, a typical Valley Railway building.

[Details on right side of marker]
The 1880 Guidebook for the Tourist and Traveler over the Valley Railway described views from the train.

Take an Excursion
Enjoy the scenery

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while the engineer handles the driving. You can stay on the train or hop off to access nearby attractions. On the train, become engrossed in stories of the valley through the Voices of the Valley audio tour. Tickets are available online, at www.cvrs.com, attended boarding stations, or on the train. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer and October.

Bike Aboard!
Between Rockside and Akron Northside stations, the railroad parallels the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a popular bicycling route. You can bike a distance of your choosing, then take the train for a relaxing ride back to your car - or do it in reverse. Flag down the train by waving both arms. Train staff will load your bike. No reservations are required. Services are seasonal.

The railroad travels through the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area which includes Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 41° 23.554′ N, 81° 37.85′ W. Marker is in Independence, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. Marker is on the wall of the Cuyahoga

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 9, 2019

2. Ride the Rails Marker

BannerB waiting to see the next train

Valley Scenic Railroad's Rockside Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence OH 44131, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Industrial Cleveland (within shouting distance of this marker); Route to the Coalfields (within shouting distance of this marker); Late Prehistoric Period (approx. ¾ mile away); South Park Village and the Whittlesley Tradition (approx. ¾ mile away); The Quarry Era (approx. 0.9 miles away); Old Stone Church of Independence Sesquicentennial (approx. 0.9 miles away); "Veterans Plaza" (approx. one mile away); Valley View Veterans Honor Roll (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Independence.

Also see . . .
1. Valley Railway at Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. (Submitted on August 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park. (Submitted on August 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Ohio and Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. (Submitted on August 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.