Cascade Locks Park Association :: Creating A Heritage Park For Akron's Future

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.

Capital Campaign Committee

Richard C. France, Chair Virginia Wojno-Forney, Honorary Chair

Andrea Victor, Development Director

Jeff James Robert L. Keener

Lynne Van Nostran Mike and Jan Wojno