Cascade Valley in Akron in Summit County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Generations of Power

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 24, 2025

1. Generations of Power Marker

Inscription. This site represents four generations of energy technology. Before the 1880s, lard lamps lit the mill's interior and water power turned the millstones. Schumacher then added a powerhouse with a 125-foot chimney to supplement water power with steam generated by coal-burning furnaces and provide electric lights in the mill. Schumacher also drilled natural gas wells for power. Today, electric power literally overshadows the site. The steel tower here is part of FirstEnergy's distribution grid.

When powered only by water, Cascade Mills had 12 millstones in operation and could produce 2,700 bushels of flour each day. With the addition of steam power, the mill expanded to 18 millstones and an estimated 4,000 bushels a day.

Steam power was available prior to the Civil War. These 1868, 1876 and 1880s photographs demonstrate the changes that occurred to the mill to accommodate steam power, including building additions and increasing the size of the central chimney.

Erected by Summit Metro Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 41° 5.424′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

81° 31.043′ W. Marker is in Akron, Ohio, in Summit County. It is in Cascade Valley. It is on West North Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 57 W North Street, Akron OH 44304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: The Cascade Race (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

Cascade Locks Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 24, 2025

2. Cascade Locks Park

This marker is one of eight found on either side of the Schumacher Wheel, designed by cartoonist Chuck Ayers.

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

3. Cascade Locks Park

Power lines from the FirstEnergy distribution grid can be found in and near the park.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.