| |
| |
 |
|
| |
The Historic Site
Although the canal brought traffic to the area, it took industry to
fuel the burgeoning growth that eventually spurred Akron's
development into the thriving city General Simon Perkins envisioned.
Dr. Eliakim Crosby championed construction of a "mill race"
alongside the canal to provide the water power needed for mills and
foundries.
Akron's Own Oatmeal King
Cereal magnate Ferdinand Schumacher, an immigrant who came to
America at age 28, located in Akron and set out to popularize the
style of oatmeal he had enjoyed in his native Germany. His
success was so great that newspapers dubbed him "The Oatmeal King."
Later, his company merged with others to become Quaker Oats. And his
mill, with its giant 35 foot diameter overshot water wheel,
dominated the sky right across from the Mustill's store and
residence.Plans
The mill site is located at the southwest corner of Howard and North Streets, north of Akron's Downtown District. The plans for the mill site have been developed over many months through the efforts of the Cascade Locks Park Association Planning Committee.
The committee includes the project partners from Metro Parks,
Serving Summit County, the City of Akron, the University of Akron,
FirstEnergy and of course, CLPA.
The committee hired Akron Firm GPD Group to complete construction
drawings for the site and held a public meeting to unveil our plans for the site. The plans were received extremely positively
and construction drawings were completed soon after.
To provide visitors insight into the past, the footprint of
Schumacher's mill will be outlined with sandstone. Floor signage
will educate visitors on the processes that were in motion in each
room. Within the footprint of the building there will be an
area for children to make rubbings of historic images simply using
paper and crayons. A wetland re-creation will highlight the historic
location of the canal turning basin. Signage will give visitors
insight into the location of the mill race that provided the
hydraulics for the mill.
| |
Local artist Chuck
Ayers has designed an artistic interpretation of
Schumacher's water wheel. Built to the size of the
original 35-foot diameter wheel, signage will tell the story
of the mill. A second focal point will be a flat stage
- also 35-feet diameter. It will provide a venue for
cultural events, performances and used by our partners and
area residents for gatherings or special events. |
|
|
CLPA Planning Committee |
| Virginia Wojno-Forney, CLPA Board |
Tony Troppe |
Chuck Ayers, artist |
Linda Whitman, University of Akron,
Archaeologist |
| Bridget Garvin,
Executive Director, CLPA |
Tom Long, City of Akron |
Lisa King, Metro Parks,
Serving Summit County |
Jan Bachmann |
| Rowan MacTaggart, CLPA |
Mike Teodecki, City of Akron |
Dan Rice, Ohio & Erie Canalway
Coalition |
Chuck Jones, FirstEnergy |
| Bruce Norton, CLPA Board |
Dave Whited, Metro Parks, Serving
Summit County |
Lynn Metzger, University of Akron |
Candace Bates, Ohio & Erie Canal
Association |
|
|
