Life on a Crooked River

Life on a Crooked River. . , History , Peninsula is a river town settled on the bend, or “peninsula” of the Cuyahoga River in 1818. Peninsula soon became a center of commerce as a main stop on the Ohio and Erie Canal. Goods were transported via the canal including quarry stone mined from the area quarries. Miners came from near and far and Peninsula flourished!, General stores, small businesses, flour mills, taverns and hotels emerged and soon Peninsula was a bustling town! Many of these original buildings and landmarks remain today, a testament to the dedication of the preservation of the town’s history and heritage., Floods, Farms and Steam , With the Great Flood of 1913 the canal system suffered heavy damage. Soon the railroad became the main form of transport and the town continued to prosper. The family farm began to dot the landscape, along the fertile land of the river bed., Today, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad roars through the valley, bringing folks to explore the many small businesses, shops, galleries and restaurants. Heritage Farms and Szalay’s are two generational farms still in operation today. The Countryside Conservancy farms are bringing back family farms where once they prospered., Life in a small town changes, but much remains the same!, The Arts , In an area so blessed with natural beauty, it is no wonder that artists and supporters of the arts have found this the ideal location to spend a day, or a life. Many an artist has found inspiration in its lush landscape, beautiful gardens, historic architecture, and babbling streams. Music has filled the valley, serving as a connective community thread for decades. Theatre groups once provided a form of entertainment long before television., Today, you will find galleries and shops throughout the village, with pieces of art telling the story of this area and its beauty. You will hear music in historic venues on porches, around campfires and sometimes on the Towpath Trail itself. When walking the stone sidewalks, you may find a painter or photographer capturing a moment. Peninsula celebrates the arts, perhaps because it too is a piece of art., What was old…is now new , Peninsula has seen many changes since people first called this bend in a crooked river home. Now, within the Ohio and Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, a towpath once used by mules towing boats filled with goods going to market, is now used by millions of visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park to take a bike ride on a sunny afternoon, or a walk on a cool evening. One of the quarries used to mine stone is a now a local swimming hole. The area is blessed with natural beauty from cascading waterfalls, rolling hills, wooded hiking trails, beautiful farms, unique shops and a people with an undying, enduring spirit, who love and respect this town they call home. . This historical marker was erected in 2014 by Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce. It is in Peninsula in Summit County Ohio