Valley View in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Tavern and Store
Canal Rest Stop
Photographed by Richard Peterson, October 18, 2026
1. Tavern and Store Marker
In the mid-1800s, the Gleason family ran a tavern and store in this building. Here boat crews and passengers could get something to eat and drink. They also could buy supplies such as tea, sugar, tobacco, needles, and thread.
Tour the exhibits in the old tavern-store. Decide for yourself whether building the Ohio & Erie Canal was worth the tax dollars.
[Captions:]
After the canal era, the building became a residence and later housed a blacksmith shop. Notice that the building on the left – probably a barn – is no longer there. Photo ca. 1910
John Malvin, a free black from Virginia, became a businessman and civic leader in Cleveland. This scene shows Malvin in about 1853 as the captain of the Auburn. His crew included both blacks and whites.
Erected by Ohio & Erie Canalway; National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Ohio and Erie Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 41° 22.35′ N, 81° 36.777′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland, on the Lake Erie Shore, and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lock 38 (within shouting distance of this marker); Mule Power (within shouting distance of this marker); Valley View Veterans Honor Roll (approx. 0.6 miles away); Valley View Village Town Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); South Park Village and the Whittlesley Tradition
Photographed by Richard Peterson, October 18, 2026
2. Tavern and Store Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Hell's Half Acre (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2026, by Richard Peterson of East Windsor, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 18 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2026, by Richard Peterson of East Windsor, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
