Cascade Valley in Akron in Summit County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Cascade Race
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 24, 2025
1. The Cascade Race Marker
Akron industrialist Eliakim Crosby created the Cascade Race in 1832. He diverted water from the Little Cuyahoga River to power his Old Stone Mill south of here near Mill Street. From the Old Stone Mill, the race flowed down the Cascade Valley, powering the Cascade Mills along with other mills, iron furnaces, a furniture factory, a distillery and a brewery.
The Cascade Race was dug by the same workers who had just completed the final section of the Ohio & Erie Canal in 1832.
Erected by Summit Metro Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 41° 5.424′ N, 81° 31.043′ W. Marker is in Akron, Ohio, in Summit County. It is in Cascade Valley. It is on West North Street. The marker is in Cascade Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 57 W North
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Generations of Power (here, next to this marker); Schumacher's Cascade Mills (a few steps from this marker); Wheel Power (a few steps from this marker); Ferdinand Schumacher's Cascade Mills Stood Here (a few steps from this marker); The Oatmeal King (within shouting distance of this marker); Made in Ohio, Produced for America (within shouting distance of this marker); Becoming an American Company (within shouting distance of this marker); The Legacy of Schumacher (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Akron.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 24, 2025
2. The Cascade Race
The filled-in ground was once the site of the Cascade Race.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
